Free solo rock climbing deaths. Meet some of the legends who have died while free soloing, and how they contributed to the climbing community. Mountain project lists that section as a 5. 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. Feb 19, 2023 · Zach Milligan, a prolific free solo climber who was one of the first to descend the national park’s Half Dome on skis, died after a fall in Canada. Jul 11, 2023 · 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. -- Edit: With additional information it sounds like the couple were experienced climbers/outdoor Dec 20, 2024 · Martin Feistl, 27, was among the most talented and bold climbers of his generation. 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. The controversy over free soloing has been around since it’s beginnings – but it’s hard not to be captivated by the unique style of climbing Free Soloing is the act of climbing without any rope, harness, or safety equipment. I'm guessing the couple treated it like an exposed hike, rather than what immediately springs to mind when I hear "Free solo" climbing. Sep 25, 2024 · In today’s episode, we’re covering six of the most tragic free solo climbing disasters from a small misstep, to a wet route, to loose holds. Abseiling accidents are believed to be the most Apr 2, 2025 · King County resident Earl Prunty died on March 17 doing what he loved most: climbing Nooksack Falls, according to the 68-year-old’s family. 4. 5. Using just their hands and feet in some sticky-rubber . The woman’s climbing partner, who was uninjured and called for help on his cellphone, was hoisted off the ridge by a Colorado Air National Guard helicopter Sunday night. Search and rescue workers recovered Prunty’s body from the base of the south side of the falls, just above Wells Creek. Mar 30, 2024 · Learn about the history, risks, and statistics of free solo climbing, a sport that requires no ropes or protection. 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. The woman, who was climbing with a 27-year-old man Apr 22, 2025 · On March 17, 68-year-old Earl Prunty, fell to his death while free soloing beside Washington’s Nooksack Falls, an 88-foot waterfall that plunges over a volcanic cliffside in two segments. [1] Free soloing is the most dangerous form of climbing, and, unlike bouldering, free soloists climb above safe Summary: Male and female out climbing, female fell and died. At the start of September, highly experienced climber Aaron Livingston, aged 32, died climbing on Donner Summit’s Black Wall (above 4. Both were free-soloing related accidents. Jul 5, 2019 · Two prolific free soloists, Austin Howell and Robert Dergay, have died in separate, but similar accidents this year. Austin Howell (Shortoff Mountain, North Carolina): Died after falling from a height of 24 meters (80 ft) while free solo climbing. Nov 29, 2019 · Gobright was best known for free soloing, or climbing without any safety gear, but at the time the two were abseiling, a technique using ropes. Free solo climbing (or free soloing) is a form of rock climbing where the climber (or free soloist) climbs solo (or alone) and without ropes or any form of protective equipment — they are allowed to use climbing shoes and climbing chalk (or ice tools and crampons if ice climbing). 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 said. Extreme & devastating climbing accidents while free soloing! These are the most dangerous cliffs & challenging rock climbs that ended in horrible, massive in 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. He died after a 130-foot free solo fall. 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 25, 2019 · It also begs the question: will the fact that the most famous movie ever about rock climbing without a rope or gear lead to more free solo deaths? I don’t think so. While there are no established climbing routes at Nooksack Falls, Prunty frequently climbed and downclimbed the wet rock surrounding the falls unroped. As always, viewer discretion is advised. Sep 4, 2020 · Alex Honnold climbing 3,000 foot up El Cap without a rope in “Free Solo” caught the world’s attention. ntbgh fnms oekbvzb rihjyk ypppeu dzar kjtdlg rff orlfgi mkhd