Free solo climbing deaths It's a type of free climbing that doesn't use ropes and is bigger than a boulder problem. 10 in hiking boots,” according to another YouTube Comment, he had decided to try the route free solo. He is known for his solo ascents–often in winter–of major ice and alpine climbing routes. What exactly is free solo climbing? In a free solo climb, often called soloing, you’re climbing cliffs without using any climbing equipment, save for your rock shoes and chalk bag. la/2LCa5UM Free solo climbing has been a huge subject of discussion, especially since big names like Alex Honnold conquered unimaginable heights without any ropes or sa They missed Southtyrolean alpine guide Diego Zanesco (62) who died free soloing. Nov 29, 2019 · Among them was Alex Honnold, a leading free climber who features in the Oscar-winning documentary Free Solo. The woman was on one of the Four Aces—steep mini-peaks along the ridge—which are considered the route’s crux. Consider this: When’s the last time you’ve seen a photo of Honnold climbing with a rope? Oct 14, 2019 · The 26-year-old is known for her free climbs, different from free soloing, in which the climber may use climbing equipment only to protect against injury during falls and not to assist progress. on Friday, July 14, 2023, with the climber’s name from the Larimer County Coroner’s Office. "We can confirm the death of U. Others died from rockfall or avalanches, exposure or altitude-related illness. 1993 — attempting to free solo Sentinel Rock in Yosemite Dec 4, 2024 · This year’s list includes 45 climbers ranging in age from 18 to 96. Potter climbed many new routes and completed many solo ascents in Yosemite and Patagonia. Oct 22, 2018 · By watching Free Solo, by clicking Alex Honnold YouTube videos, by reading news stories, by going to his book signings, we create the market for the free-soloing content that gives Honnold sponsors and opportunities in the first place. 12 was common for Austin Howell. Nov 29, 2019 · If you’ve seen this year’s Oscar-winning doc Free Solo, you’ll appreciate the life-and-death gamble that climbing can be. The woman’s climbing partner, a 27-year-old man Jul 11, 2023 · On Sunday, July 9, a Boulder, Colorado, woman died after falling 500 feet while free soloing Blitzen Ridge, a classic 5. He was alone, passing time while waiting to meet up with a climbing partner later in the day. 13a, the first-ever big wall free solo ascent at that grade), [3] a climb described in The New York Alpine climbing, by nature, requires occasional soloing, and there is a significant difference between soloing something like this, and going out and soloing pitches at a local crag, or soloing a wall in Yosemite. Free Climbing is climbing using only He also is featured crashing a BMX bicycle, ziplining off The Witch, taking a 192 feet (59 m) whipper for fun in Yosemite, and on-sight free-soloing Bolder Display of Power (5. That doesn't mean you can't use protection though. Climbing the Second Flatiron as he has “100 times before” according to his now deleted YouTube Comment and having climbed “5. https://abc7. That was put in sharp focus this week by the news that world Jan 18, 2024 · Free-solo climbing is something of a fringe undertaking in the rock-climbing world. Jun 3, 2018 · Almost exactly a year ago, climber Alex Honnold gained the world's attention when he reached El Capitan's peak in just under four hours doing a "free-solo," without safety gear. Famous Free Solo Climbers Dec 20, 2024 · Martin Feistl died on Saturday, May 18, following a 130-foot fall in his native Austria, while free soloing on the steep 1,000-foot South Face of the Scharnitzspitze (8,097ft). Alex Honnold, the star of “Free Solo,” actually knew Jan 9, 2023 · Others died free soloing or in rappelling accidents; they died of rockfall, exposure, avalanches, altitude sickness, or while participating in other mountain sports. 4 ridge on Ypsilon Mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. At the start of September, highly experienced climber Aaron Livingston, aged 32, died climbing on Donner Summit’s Black Wall (above Jul 2, 2019 · Free soloing 5. Learn about this free solo fall and the rescuers' experience here, and dive into the larger conversation abou Nov 28, 2019 · Acclaimed free solo climber Brad Gobright died Wednesday while rapelling in El Potrero Chico, Mexico, a popular rock climbing destination in northern Mexico. This form of climbing requires unparalleled skill, mental fortitude, and complete trust in one’s abilities. Any mistake, any misstep, even an uncontrollable event like rock fall could send you plummeting to your death. Several died free soloing, or when their gear ripped, or while participating in other mountain Free soloing rock climber in Western Tasmania falls out of the crack in a deadly situation. Jan 22, 2025 · The latter, which he rope-soloed in 2019, is likely the world’s hardest lead rope-solo free ascent. Jan 9, 2023 · Others died free soloing or in rappelling accidents; they died of rockfall, exposure, avalanches, altitude sickness, or while participating in other mountain sports. May 15, 2019 · On April 16, Walker began climbing up North Crack, a two-pitch 5. 9+ on the Second Flatiron in Boulder, Colorado. 10a) and then traversed Thanksgiving Ledge to complete the last six pitches and six hundred feet of Free climbing is anything that isn't aid. Mar 30, 2024 · Learn about the history and statistics of free solo climbing deaths, and the stories of some of the climbers who have lost their lives in this sport. . It’s pure freedom, but with that freedom comes extreme danger. Mountaineering rangers patrolling the upper mountain quickly located the climber’s empty tent at the top of the 16,200-foot ridge. 12a died last year. Kurakami also pioneered a spread of sketchy highball boulders, usually ground-up (and, in trademark style, seldom graded). In 2015, she became the first woman to free climb Magic Mushroom (7c+), one of the most difficult routes on the north face of the Eiger Mountain in Climber Alex Honnold has been dreaming of free-soloing the 3,000 feet (900 m) rock wall of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, a feat no one has performed. Roberts passed October 15, after a fall while soloing Mrs. Jul 12, 2023 · The unidentified 26-year-old died while free-solo climbing on Ypsilon Mountain, on the east side of the park, according to the National Park Service. Original story A rock climber fell to her death while free solo climbing in Rocky Mountain National Park on July 9. ” Free solo deaths are a tragic reality of one of the most extreme and awe-inspiring disciplines in the climbing world—free solo climbing. 14a) in 2017. It's just your body getting yourself up the rock. Brad Gobright, 31, fell around 300m (1,000ft) to his death in El Potrero Chico in northern Mexico. At the time We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. The most dangerous form of climbing is free soloing, where climbers ascend without the use of ropes or safety gear. Free soloing or free solo climbing is a type of rock or ice climbing where climbers, or more commonly known as free soloists, climb alone without using safety equipment such as ropes, harnesses, helmets, and the like. See full list on climbgearhub. Jul 10, 2023 · The coroner ruled the death accidental and cause of death as blunt force trauma. His choice of big wall climbing route on El Capitan is called Freerider, a route that was created by Alexander Huber in 1998, and which Honnold has completed several times with protection equipment. who plummeted to her death from the Four Aces of Blitzen Ridge on Ypsilon Mountain, according to the Oct 17, 2024 · Climbing Unroped and Free Soloing. 25 years old Jonas Hainz who has free soloed long multi-pitch routes up to 5. Jul 14, 2023 · A 26-year-old woman who was killed Sunday while free-solo climbing a ridge on Ypsilon Mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park has been identified by the Larimer County coroner as Bailee Mulholland. 12a), at Cheakamus Canyon, a sport crag north of Squamish. Negative (5. It uses no ropes, harness or other protective gear. He free-solo climbed a small part of El Capitan in Yosemite, where he pioneered a route he called Easy Rider by climbing down the slabby upper pitches of the route Lurking Fear (hardest moves rated grade 5. Holds break, sweaty hands slip, footholds crumble, birds get territorial, and it’s easy to mess up a crucial sequence when stressed or overconfident. Both were free-soloing related accidents. 10+) up the center of the face. Some of them were widely known for their climbing accomplishments, establishing new routes on Mt. In this type of climbing, even a small mistake can be fatal, as there is no protection against falls. com Jul 12, 2023 · The 26-year-old Colorado woman who plunged to her death while free-solo climbing inside a national park was identified by grieving friends as an avid climber and “mountain person. 99% of people who free climb use ropes. [4] Osman gained a wider audience with his 4 minute 25 second speed solo of the route Bear's Reach (5. Any climber who has ever spent time in the alpine has soloed terrain comparable to this. I also think it gives the sport somewhat of a tougher image with many people since that is what they initially associate with climbing. The cost-to-benefit ratio is so high that very few people are willing to accept the risk. Most live to a ripe old age. Climbing magazine caught up with Ourada in a phone call to find out more details about the accident and to learn how his recovery is going. You're thinking of Free Solo, which is what this guy is doing. Over the last six years the 31-year-old Lombard, Illinois, resident spent more time climbing without a rope than with one. Jan 20, 2025 · The climber had been regularly checking in with family via an InReach communication device during their attempted solo climb of Denali. Free solo climbing deaths aren’t common but they do happen regularly, even to the best free solo climbers. Witnesses reported seeing a large block fall during the accident. The fatality marks the second death at the Jun 10, 2018 · The death-defying adventure of scaling a huge granite precipice like El Capitan involves an intricate process in which lengths of nylon rope are tied to the climbers and knotted on bolts, or Apr 29, 2021 · On April 11, 2021, 31-year-old climber Josh Ourada fell approximately 150 to 200 feet while free soloing Nutcracker, on the Manure Pile Buttress, Yosemite. It’s a sport where the climber ascends a Free solo climbing (climbing without ropes or any other safety equipment) has struck awe in onlookers around the world, with climbers like Alex Honnold darin Feb 19, 2023 · Zach Milligan, a prolific free solo climber who lived in a cave at Yosemite National Park for 13 years and was one of the first to descend its globally-recognized Half Dome on skis was found dead Apr 2, 2025 · The style of climbing, considered the most risky and bold, is known as free soloing. Honnold rose to worldwide fame in June 2017 when he became the first person to free solo a full route on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park (via the 2,900-foot route Freerider at 5. S Alex Honnold (born August 17, 1985) is an American rock climber best known for his free solo ascents of big walls. Free Solo climbing is climbing with no rope, or any form of protection, completely alone. Brad Gobright, 31, fell around 300m (1,000ft) to his death in El Potrero Chico in Jul 5, 2019 · On Saturday, May 18, 48-year-old Bob Dergay of Boulder, Colorado, fell an estimated 100 feet while free-soloing the popular Bastille Crack, a five-pitch 5. Nov 7, 2022 · Over the last few years, he’d become particularly excited by sport climbing, and was also an occasional free soloist. Find out how free soloing is not as dangerous as you might think, but also not without risks and challenges. Feb 25, 2019 · Once you start climbing and realize what it takes to free solo a route, even an easy one–namely years and years of experience, a very particular mindset and a stark acceptance of death as a Jul 11, 2023 · UPDATE: This story was updated at 8:49 a. “The risk in free soloing is always to fall off and fall to Had to make some edits to re-upload this video (:Discover the awe-inspiring story of these fearless climbers who dared to challenge their physical and mental Jul 12, 2023 · Free-solo climber dies in 500-foot fall at Rocky Mountain National Park. Outside of the Japanese climbing scene Kurakami was best known for free climbing The Nose (5. Kyle Walker's chest-mounted camera caught a harrowing 60-foot fall during a free climb in Colorado. 11). m. Sep 18, 2023 · There have been several climbing accidents that have had tragic endings this summer, and, sadly, we’ve learned of at least two more rock climbers who died this month. Jul 18, 2023 · The day after Mulholland’s death, a climber scrambling near the top of the First Flatiron fell 100 feet before Boulder woman dies in 500-foot fall after free-solo climbing in Rocky Mountain Free soloing getting heavy publicity makes me frustrated because it popularizes a very small portion of the climbing community. John Bachar, d. The woman, Dec 27, 2022 · In the case of free solo deaths, there often isn't much to analyze or improve upon accident wise, since free-soloing is a personal decision and one that climbers execute alone, without gear. While it was popularized by the 2018 documentary, “Free Solo,” of professional rock climber Alex Honnold’s free solo of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, its place in climbing can be traced back to Jun 20, 2023 · The Twinkie solo encapsulated many idiosyncrasies of Howell’s free soloing: climbing hard, steep routes that had awkward descents; a tendency to climb with his shoes untied, or without chalk Jul 11, 2023 · A 26-year-old woman plummeted 500 feet to her death while free-solo climbing inside a national park in Colorado Sunday, according to officials. Sep 21, 2023 · The free solo legend began climbing rock walls over 25 years ago, when he did the first ever 8b solo free and one of the "craziest solos ever" on La nuit du Lézard in Buoux. " View this post on Instagram So, in short, free soloing is an extremely dangerous sport, one that has led to the untimely deaths of many experienced climbers. 2009 — while free soloing moderate rock (Honnold and Synnott believe Bachar had health challenges that affected his fateful climb) Derek Hersey, d. 7), which was featured in Eric Perlman's film Masters of Stone Nov 29, 2019 · Practitioners of free solo climbing say it is a risky yet exhilarating experience, one that comes with a calm acceptance of death. The 27-year-old ice and mixed expert was climbing the Spitzenstätter (VII/5. Sep 14, 2021 · Like 2018’s Oscar-winning “Free Solo,” the film focuses on a twentysomething preternaturally gifted climber with high fear tolerance. A 26-year-old Boulder woman died Sunday after she fell 500 feet during a free-solo climb on the Four Aces of Blitzen Ridge in Rocky Mountain National Park, park officials said. John also popularized bouldering and high balling, and was one of the first Stonemasters to start free soloing and introducing it to others. Nov 29, 2019 · A world-renowned American free solo climber has died attempting to descend the side of a cliff face. Unfortunately, the second fatal free solo accident in the region in just 2 years. Her body was taken to the Larimer County Coroner/Medical Examiner’s Office for determination of the cause of death. Climber: Dylan TubaroFilmed by: Andrew Serack Nov 28, 2019 · Acclaimed 'Free Solo' Climber Brad Gobright Dies in Fall While Descending Cliff in Mexico Brad Gobright, 31, fell while attempting to descend the side of a cliff face in El Portero Chico, Mexico By Jul 12, 2023 · Free-solo climbing is a dangerous form of rock climbing in which the climber uses no ropes. Some of these climbers died of natural causes, at home or in hospitals, among relatives or friends. 7 on the Bastille formation in Eldorado Canyon. Jul 11, 2023 · A 26-year-old woman from Boulder, Colorado, died after falling approximately 500 feet while free-solo climbing a ridge in the state’s Rocky Mountain National Park on Sunday, the park Free solo climbing, or free soloing, is a form of rock climbing where the climber (or free soloist) climbs solo (or alone) without ropes or other protective equipment Sep 4, 2020 · However – anything can happen. It’s the simplest and most obvious form of climbing but the most dangerous. Marc-André Leclerc (October 10, 1992 – March 5, 2018) was a Canadian rock climber, ice and mixed climber, and alpinist. How Many Free Climbers Die a Year? The problem with free soloing is that if you do die, best case scenario you're creating a horrific mess somebody else has to clean up; worst case scenario you're damaging the global climbing community with a high-profile accident that will make people think climbing is more dangerous and irresponsible than it is, inspire private landowners to Jul 11, 2023 · A 26-year-old woman died after falling about 500 feet while free-solo climbing at the Rocky Mountain National Park Sunday, park officials said. Free solo climbing gives a thrill like nothing else. He described Gobright as a "gem of a man. Everest’s Kangshung Face, in the Gunks, in Greenland, in Patagonia, and so on. Apr 29, 2019 · Peter Croft — still living and still climbing; However, there are two that died free soloing. kitorhjsfceksqfelhscxbungdbxmcmoaiyirfcdexgsyqedzrkeqynodklswxeatcukpjosza