BERKELEY, Calif. (Oct. 2, 2026) – Born in Yosemite’s Camp 4 and built on a love for wild places, the Royal Robbins brand once again returned to its roots this fall for Facelift 2026, the park’s largest annual volunteer event dedicated to restoration and conservation. Through its support of Facelift, held Sept. 23–27, 2026, the brand joined over 1,700 volunteers in preserving Yosemite’s natural beauty and protecting it for future generations.
As a longstanding advocate for environmental conservation and outdoor adventure, Royal Robbins is honored to support an event that resonates deeply with the brand’s dedication to sustainability and roots in the climbing community.
Founded by climbers Liz and Royal Robbins, the brand’s true home has been in Yosemite National Park since its inception in 1968. Partnering with the Yosemite Climbing Association (YCA) underscores the brand’s commitment to preserving the wilderness areas that inspire the outdoor community and to foster basecamp adventures around the world.
“Our brand’s mission is to help people feed their soul through nature and adventure,” said Erik Burbank, brand president at Royal Robbins. “Yosemite is where it all started for us, and millions of people come here each year for adventure, inspiration and to soak in its beauty. Yosemite—and our public lands—need our support, perhaps more now than ever before. We’re honored to partner with YCA and be a part of the amazing community that comes together at Facelift.”
A key activation from Royal Robbins at this year’s Facelift was the Royal Robbins Hangboard Challenge. For this challenge, participants tested their grip endurance by hanging on a board with climbing holds, and for every second they stayed on, Royal Robbins donated one dollar to the Yosemite Climbing Association. The brand also brought its hangboard challenge to recent events, including: PCT Days, YCA’s inaugural Storyteller Film Festival, and several industry trade shows — all as part of a wider campaign to engage consumers, retailers, and journalists, and drive donations to support YCA. Royal Robbins is proud to have donated $30,000 to Yosemite Climbing Association this year as a result of its 2026 hangboard activations.
This year, the brand sent 21 team members to Yosemite National Park for Facelift to join forces with other brands, climbers, outdoor enthusiasts and California residents in a collective effort to clean up and restore the park. Over five days, volunteers participated in park-wide clean-ups, special projects and engaging evening programs, all while working toward the event’s goal of zero waste remaining in the park. This year’s event saw impressive results, with over 1,700 volunteers contributing nearly 15,000 hours of service and collecting over 10,000 pounds of trash.
“Royal Robbins has been with YCA and Facelift from the start,” said Ken Yager, founder of YCA. “They’re an incredible partner and an important part of our success. We appreciate their commitment to Facelift and love the energy and excitement they bring to this event.”
Earlier this year, Royal Robbins was also a partner for YCA’s inaugural Storyteller Film Festival, which took place June 25–28, 2026. Royal Robbins supported the screening of “Frost: The Story Of A Lifetime,” a historical documentary about American climbing legend Tom Frost, directed by Tom Seawell, which included never-before-seen footage of Royal Robbins himself.
YCA was founded in 2003, and the Royal Robbins brand has supported their dedication to preserving Yosemite’s rich climbing history, fostering a strong community of stewardship, and advocating for sustainable climbing practices. Today, brand co-founder Liz Robbins continues this legacy by serving on the organization’s board of directors.
For more information about Royal Robbins, please visit royalrobbins.com.
About Royal Robbins®
Founded in 1968 by world-renowned climbers and adventurers Royal and Liz Robbins, Royal Robbins is a leading designer, manufacturer, and retailer of versatile, durable, and stylish apparel for the next generation of adventurers. The brand maintains a commitment to environmental and social responsibility by prioritizing natural fibers and maintaining carbon neutrality in Scope 1 and 2 emissions. Royal Robbins gear can be found in outdoor and specialty retail partners throughout the world. We believe nature and adventure are good for the soul.
To learn more, please visit royalrobbins.com.
