John Long is an American rock climber and author whose stories, ranging from adventure yarns to literary fiction, have been translated into many languages. He has more than forty titles and two million books in print. A 1971 graduate of Upland High School in Upland, California, Long studied humanities at the University of LaVerne, Claremont Graduate School and Claremont School of Theology. Long joined then unknown teenage climbers John Bachar, Rick Accomazzo, Richard Harrison, Tobin Sorenson, Robs Muir, Gib Lewis (climber), Jim Wilson, and Mike Graham as founding members of an elite group known as the "Stonemasters," who redefined world rock climbing standards and adventuring at large. As the result of the groups countless exploits, from the French Alps to the North Pole, combined with Long?s popular writings in books and magazines, the Stonemaster ethos was central in birthing the ?extreme? adventure sports culture that quickly spread through surfing, skating, skiing and eventually, most every outdoor pursuit. [More at Wikipedia]

January 1st, 1953 in (Age 71)