Dean Potter and Graham Hunt die BASE jumping

My favorite Potter clip... Moonwalk!

Moonwalk

I don't think either Dean or Graham will be resting in peace. I think they'll both be stirring it up in the afterlife, just like they did in this one! Condolences to all those you left behind. Both are great losses.

Morgan Patterson wrote:It appears as though they were trying not only to do a BASE jump but a stunt jump and miscalculated.

Wing Suit Proximity Flying is not a "stunt jump" - it's another flavor, one much more difficult and dangerous, of jumping.

It's far too early with a dearth of information to make pronouncements that "they miscalculated."

Derek Hersey, Rob Slater, Dan Osman, Tod Skinner, Michael Reardon, John Bachar, Sean Leary, Graham Hunt, Dean Potter; a tiny fraction of the total. What price do we place on our heros, what price for our inspiration?

Morgan Patterson wrote: I'll be 100% honest and I'm sorry if its too soon but ts tough for me to feel bad about this. It appears as though they were trying not only to do a BASE jump but a stunt jump and miscalculated. I don't feel sorry for him in the least bit or really saddened by his death

I'll be 100% honest and say we really don't give a shit what you think, but thanks for your excellent contribution. I don't understand why some low-lifes feel the need to say things like this. Don't post anything if you don't care. Jesus. And from an Admin no less.

To Dean and Graham, we shall meet again in another life. Cheers boys.

Richard M. Wright wrote:Rob Slater, Dan Osman, Tod Skinner, Michael Reardon, John Bachar, Sean Leary, Graham Hunt, Dean Potter; a tiny fraction of the total. What price do we place on our heros, what price for our inspiration?

I like yours and Dan Lewis's sentiment (wish he didn't delete his post). Our admiration for death-defying activities influences people in ways we don't anticipate.

Sad to see anyone die early.

Morgan Patterson wrote: "There are old climbers, there are bold climbers but, there are no old bold climbers."

Oh really?

No, seriously, I get what you're saying. I think BASE jumping is incredibly dangerous just from the stats and because it is such a new, nascent sport right now. But, everything we say about how this isn't surprising, and they're just reckless... that identical language gets uttered by clueless non-climbing couch potatoes every time a climber dies.

And to say "it's hard to feel bad about this" is just plain dick.

Super Fucked an ADMIN would blast such a disrespectful comment. "Guideline #1: don't be a jerk" Sorry, but I consider a speculative opinion about someone else's passions and pursuits ending in the ultimate sacrifice a qualified dick statement.

Two people died. The people that care about them (some have even posted above your comment!) need support from an already saddened community. Energy is contagious and your disrespectful comment doesn't support anyone's healing.

"I'll be 100% honest and I'm sorry if its too soon but," MP should be looking for a new admin!

Those who think these icons who engage in these "dangerous" activities to earn our praise.

I believe that Potter and Hunt jumped because they loved doing it, nothing more. The fame and praise are byproducts of the activity. I hardly think Dean got into all this to become famous. To believe that he was pushing the limits of safety to earn more attention or sponsorship dollars is rather short sighted. Cliff Bar dumping all it's free soloers and base jumpers sort of dispels the profitability of such endeavors.

Least that one man's perspective.

Richard M. Wright wrote:Rob Slater, Dan Osman, Tod Skinner, Michael Reardon, John Bachar, Sean Leary, Graham Hunt, Dean Potter; a tiny fraction of the total. What price do we place on our heros, what price for our inspiration?

I didn't know all of the above, but the ones I did know were a tremendous part of my life, not just climbing.

You don't feel sad that another hu

Morgan- what's wrong with you ???? Maybe your obit will say, " he died an asshole at Ragged Mountain"

My condolences to Dean and Graham and their families.

I remember watching a video of Alexander Polli flying through an arch in a wingsuit
Just goes to show how slim the margin of error is when tempting such feats.

Dean was a polarizing figure in life, it's not surprising to me that his death is polarizing people as well.

Since I can't come to grips with, nor form a stated opinion regarding the events of this past week I will just post this quote:

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.
Security does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it.
Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than exposure."
Helen Keller

i think it was helen Keller who also said...Life is Decisions..the rest is tenacity

There are some who will run from the flame, and others who run to it.
For those who prefer to stand next to the fire. They most of all know that warm comfort. they also know it's searing heat as well.
They more than anyone know that to linger to near and for to long means they will get burned. Is it bad, is it wrong? No, it's living. It' called life.
For how long, and for how near, is what we all contemplate. Some cannot resist that last step.

You are missed Dean .

Was just recalling one of my craziest memories of Dean, which was really hard to believe when I heard it, man I really admired this guy....when he grabbed the rope mid-jump because his chute didn't open, truly superhuman.

From Dean's article in Alpinist 9: "As I suit up I notice my BASE rig is slightly damp. A wet parachute is okay because it is symmetrical. Mine is half wet, asymmetrical...Ignoring it, I rush...three, two, one...in a split second things are bad...I look up and see a serious line-twist malfunction. Spinning...my canopy runs directly into the 1,200 foot static line rigged from the top of the cave to the bottom. I grab the 10 mm cord with my bare hands. I'm 300 ft off the deck, ... I hear the zipping noise of rapid rope through soft skin. I fight the immense pain...ripping my hands to the muscle...stopping myself."]

John Long wrote a few articles about BASE jumping and anytime I hear about accidents around the activity, I'm reminded of how chilling his writing was to read.

Jake Jones wrote: This can be evidenced in its purest form on Anderson Cooper 360's Facebook thread when he announced that he would be speaking with Honnold about the subject. So much obtuse ignorance crammed into one small venue. And they're vindictive as hell too. I had to stop after I realized I was calling someone a fat fuck and telling them to stfu. Like a drop of punch in a turdbowl.

I'm confused Jake- do you not think that it's a good idea for Anderson to interview Alex about this, and to make public the thoughts and opinions of an involved and informed member of the community with regards to this topic?

christopher adams wrote: I'm confused Jake- do you not think that it's a good idea for Anderson to interview Alex about this, and to make public the thoughts and opinions of an involved and informed member of the community with regards to this topic?

I'm assuming he was referring to the comments on facebook

Jake Jones wrote: Correct.

I'm going to have to create a facebook account and take a look at that thing.