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Dean Potter and Graham Hunt die BASE jumping

Fred 4 · · San Diego, CA · Joined Mar 2013 · Points: 0

My girlfriend and I passed the three of them and the dog on the trail out to Taft Point late yesterday. We were on our way back to the car. The two guys were wearing base rigs so we knew what they were up to, and I figured they wouldn't want to to be held up, so we just exchanged hellos as they passed. Dim drizzly evening in Yosemite, and Taft point was empty when we left. I heard the helicopter today, and the thought crossed my mind that maybe something happened, but I didn't hear until I got back to Oakhurst. Weird feelings.

Just a real bummer whatever your feelings were for some of the more controversial aspects of Dean when he was alive. Great loss to the sport of climbing.

Rick Blair · · Denver · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 266

Such a paradox with people like this who engage in such dangerous activities risking death, they probably have a greater love of living than the average person.

RIP, condolences to friends and family. A true loss for climbing.

Josh Hutch · · State of Jefferson · Joined Dec 2008 · Points: 90

Let's not forget 2 people died. Graham was an amazing person. He was the best at whatever he decided to do. I will never forget and I will always be jealous of Graham skydiving out of our Helicopter in Chester. RIP Graham, it's a sad day.

Colonel Mustard · · Sacramento, CA · Joined Sep 2005 · Points: 1,241

Condolences to the loved ones of both men.

Dean blew the spark of imagination into a full blown flame. He blew my mind, anyway. Thank you for sharing your passion with all of us, Dean.

BigMoveMike Jacques · · prescott · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 65

I want to thank Dean for finding so much beauty in the world and bring joy and inspiration to so many, I never actually met you but tonight I feel like I have lost a friend.

Worth Russell · · Rosendale, NY · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 40

+1 Cornelius. So sad to hear news of the two men's death. Dean was a true lover of the outdoors and I found him to be one of the sports most admirable climbers, he was in it for himself and considered it a religious experience. Truly admirable. Never met the man and sadly never will.my condolences to both mens familys and their friends during this time of loss.

Jon Frisby · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2013 · Points: 270

I have struggled with my opinion on Dean ever since the Delicate Arch ascent. Regardless of his controversies with that, and with Whisper, there's no denying that this guy was on a whole different plane when it comes to bringing creative new outlets to experiencing nature

Tom-onator · · trollfreesociety · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 790

Tremendous loss to the community.

Sincere condolences to the families and loved ones.

Rob Cotter · · Silverthorne, CO · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 240

These two men died a warrior's death...

Jack Quarless · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 0

He died loving what he did. That is more than most people can say at any point in their life. On the other hand, it's not surprising nor sad when The risk finally catches up. That is called statistics, and it's why we don't all fly in wing suits. Trust me I want to, I just don't want to die

Bang Nhan · · Charlottesville, VA · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 35
Sir chuffs alot wrote:He died loving what he did. That is more than most people can say at any point in their life. On the other hand, it's not surprising nor sad when The risk finally catches up. That is called statistics, and it's why we don't all fly in wing suits. Trust me I want to, I just don't want to die
http://kimkircher.com/2011/03/09/is-it-okay-to-die-doing-what-you-love/
Rafe · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2009 · Points: 510

Wow that's crazy. Potter was an animal. That video of him getting stuck on a move free soloing on the Eiger in the fog with his base rig on is freaky. RIP

dylan grabowski · · Denver · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 95
FrankPS wrote: According to the "Outside" article (link provided upthread), Whisper was not with him and lives on.
You're absolutely right, Frank. I edited my post and stand corrected. Silver lining...
Mia A · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2013 · Points: 65

Sad loss.

Anybody know much about Graham Hunt?

Maybe somebody should post a picture of him as well if there is one available. I'm sure he was also a pretty cool dude.

JP.8d · · Menlo Park, CA · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 45

Condolences to family, friends and the entire community.

Like many, I was inspired by Dean's bold approach to soloing. My mind was blown when I watched Masters of Stone 5 as a gumby sport climber and aspiring trad/alpine climber. Seeing him flying up the stovelegs was beyond what I could grasp. Every time I got scared leading I'd tell myself "if Dean can do that, you can surely go for it right now". And that worked almost every time.

Spent time briefly with Dean. Enough to feel genuine sadness for his loss. His spirit will carry on.

ShireSmitty · · WP · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 70

What a loss... I heard about it early yesterday and immediately went down with one of the worst migraines i've had in a year for the next 18 hours. Now that i'm up and running again, catching up on all the articles and speaking to my friends in Yosemite, I'm struck by the fact that while 2 great people have passed, only 1 of them is being celebrated. I would also like to know more about Graham... the articles celebrate Dean (who i knew, we shared a birthday and our home state as well as climbing and lining so i'm definitely feeling it) but they barely mention Graham. Just his name and that's it. I saw some that didn't even mention his name. I'd love it if some of the folks who knew Graham would post up some stories and tributes for him, and for all of us who didn't know him but want to celebrate his life.

ShireSmitty · · WP · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 70

^^^^^^^^^^

and as i was typing, thanks Xtine...

keep them coming

Christopher Kelly · · Colorado Springs, CO · Joined Jan 2014 · Points: 443

Possible explanation of what happened according to the LA Times. It says that they "were attempting to clear a "notch" on the mountain but slammed into the rock instead." Don't want to speculate too much yet.

latimes.com/local/lanow/la-…

Morgan Patterson · · NH · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 8,945
This post violated Rule #1. It has been removed by Mountain Project.
Buff Johnson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2005 · Points: 1,145
Morgan Patterson wrote: Condolences to family and friends, and RIP to the two men. ... It appears as though they were trying not only to do a BASE jump but a stunt jump and miscalculated.
Also, possible that unexpected localized weather/air-flow disturbance pushed them into terrain.

thanks for the map. looks like a wild jump.
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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