5 Free Solo Climbers Who Fell

Free solo climbing is a dangerous sport that involves climbing without any safety gear and it takes a special kind of person to attempt it. Despite its risks, some notable climbers have pushed the limits of what was thought to be possible. However, with more people taking part in such an extreme sport, there are bound to be more tragedies that occur. Please keep in mind with this video that free soloing is inherently hazardous, even when conducted by experienced climbers. First we have Derek Hersey, who was a British free solo climber known for his impressive ascents of some of the most challenging routes in the world. He was a pioneer in the sport and pushed the limits of what was possible in ascending many of Colorado's hardest routes. Unfortunately, on May 28th, 1993, Hersey fell several hundred feet to his death while attempting a free solo climb on Sentinel Rock in Yosemite National Park. It was concluded that a slippery rock had contributed to his fall. The loss of such a talented climber sent shockwaves throughout the climbing community. Hersey was only 36 years old. Our next climber is Dan Osman, who is also known for his free solo climbs. He was another pioneer in the sport and set numerous records, including the fastest free solo climb of Bear's Reach in 4 minutes and 25 seconds. Osman's passion for pushing boundaries was evident, but it ultimately cost him his life. On November 23rd, 1998, Osman tragically died while attempting a free fall from the Leaning Tower rock formation in Yosemite National Park. It was found that the ropes used in his fatal jump had been exposed to weather, including rain and snow, for more than a month before the fatal jump. This contributed to the chance for a rope failure. The climbing world mourned the loss of an icon who had impressed countless individuals. Our next climber was one of the more historical free soloists. Paul Pruss was an Austrian free solo climber who actually lived during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is considered one of the first free solo climbers and was known for his audacious and groundbreaking ascents. He was also an experienced alpinist and drew much attention from the German speaking world around that time. Tragically, on October 3rd, 1913, during an attempted first attempt at the North Ridge, Pruss fell 300 feet to his death. Today, he is remembered as a legendary figure in the history of the sport. Our next tribute is to Michael Riordan. He was an American free solo climber who was known for his impressive ascents of sea cliffs and other challenging routes. He was regarded as one of the best climbers of his generation with a seemingly fearless approach to the sport, tallying up over 150 first ascent solos. However, on July 13th, 2007, tragedy struck. A rogue wave hit Riordan after climbing down a 600-foot sea stack just west of Valentia Coast Guard Station in Ireland, and he was reported missing shortly after. The Coast Guard, a rescue helicopter, cliff rescue teams and other locals began a search to locate Michael. He was never found. The loss of Riordan shocked the climbing community. However, he left his mark as a great free soloist. Another very well-known climber is John Backer, who took part in many daring free solo climbs. Growing up in Los Angeles, he attended UCLA for a short time before dropping out to pursue his passion of climbing full-time. He soon began pushing boundaries, setting multiple unroped ascents of New Dimensions, a 5.11a route, and the Nabisco Wall, a 5.10 and 5.11 multi-pitch route. At his peak, he could perform a two-finger pull-up with 12.5 pounds in his other hand. Backer's audacity and skill were unparalleled, but they came with great risk. On July 5, 2009, Backer fell to his death while free soloing near his home at Dyke Wall in Mammoth Lakes, California. The climbing community was devastated, losing a true legend who had redefined what was possible. Backer was 52 years old at the time of his death. These five free solo climbers were known for their incredible feats and their love of the sport. However, their passion also led their untimely deaths. The stories of Derek Hersey, Dan Osman, Paul Pruss, John Backer, and Michael Reardon serve as reminders of the immense risks involved in free solo climbing and other extreme sports. While their lives were tragically cut short, their legacies continue to strike awe in climbers around the world. Our thoughts go out to the families and friends of these climbers. Thank you for watching and we'll see you in the next video.