Free solo climber plunges to death off cliff face in Mexico
The rock climbing world is in a state of shock and sadness over the death of 31-year-old Brad Gobright.
Considered one of the world’s most accomplished rock climbers, Gobright died after a tragic accident in Mexico.
Reports suggest the American fell to his death after attempting to scale the side of a cliff face in El Portero Chico, Mexico.
The news was met with an outpouring of grief on social media.
bradgobright
A true climber’s climber. You will be missed.
📸’s by samuelcrossley https://t.co/ABRh1W132H— Jimmy Chin (@jimkchin) November 28, 2019
such a terrible loss
— Marc G (@GMonst1) November 28, 2019
Gutted.
— Sampson Cambell (@CambellSampson) November 28, 2019
This is absolutely tragic. RIP Brad Gobright. https://t.co/sHlUQAiqQR
— Sandy Hooper (@SandyHooper) November 28, 2019
Brad Gobright died in El Potrero Chico last night after his partner rapped off the end of their simul-rappel, sending him into freefall.
A beloved member of the community, from Yosemite speed records to mind-blowing freesolos, Brad is a legend.
Rest easy, climb hard. pic.twitter.com/BEq9Fph70W— thrash funeral chapel (@exacerbater) November 28, 2019
I’m so sorry to hear that bradgobright just died in a climbing accident. He was such a warm, kind soul - one of a handful of partners that I always loved spending a day with. I suppose there’s something to be said… https://t.co/uZTjtBkGSc
— Alex Honnold (@AlexHonnold) November 28, 2019
I feel heartbroken to hear one of my all time favorite climbers Brad Gobright passed away in Mexico while climbing today. I’m so thankful to everything he brought to the world.
— little belle (@lilybellealex) November 28, 2019
Tragic. And so young.
— Pam Collier (@PamCollier2) November 29, 2019
The Nuevo León Civil Protection Authority said Gobright was climbing with fellow American Aidan Jacobson, when both men fell.
It's understood Gobright was killed after falling about 300m, while Jacobson was lucky to escape with non-life-threatening injuries after plummeting a shorter distance.
Gobright was an accomplished “free solo climber,” a type of climbing where climbers climb without the aid of ropes, harnesses or other protective equipment.
However, Gobright and Jacobson were understood to be using ropes at the time of the accident.
Free solo climbing rose to prominence after the 2018 Academy Award-winning documentary Free Solo, which followed Alex Honnold on his quest to scale the 3,000 feet (914m) El Capitan rock formation in Yosemite National Park without a rope.
Honnold himself posted a touching tribute to Gobright, describing the American as a "warm, kind soul – one of a handful of partners that I always loved spending a day with.”
With agencies
