Free solo mortality rate Free soloing, if you’re unfamiliar with the term, is climbing without a rope, safety gear or a climbing partner. Falling on an approach is not certain death. 7 on the Bastille formation in Eldorado Canyon. A free solo climb is just you and the rock. Q&A. 13a with the “boulder problem” crux of just a few incredibly specific moves. 09%. Soloing is not using protective gear to catch you if you were to fall. 6 deaths per 1,000 people. In his report to Accidents, he wrote: “As we were waiting (at the base), a single man walked by. 85% per year, adding around 70 million people per year to the total. Gonna hit on some of the free-soloing greats like Honnold and Potter. Otherwise, you’re talking about bouldering. 12a died last year. This has nothing to do with the protection used, but the way in which you climb. com Most free soloists don’t consider these shams as real free solo climbs. With Alex Honnold, Tommy Caldwell, Jimmy Chin, Cheyne Lempe. 9 on The Wedge at El Cajon Mountain an hour east of San Diego. From 2022 to 2023, age-adjusted death rates, corrected for race and ethnicity misclassification, They missed Southtyrolean alpine guide Diego Zanesco (62) who died free soloing. Mar 30, 2024 · The Numbers: Free Solo Death Rates. According to a UK study UK, you have more chances dying running or playing tennis while dying rock climbing See full list on climbgearhub. In 2006 he free solo’d “Separate Reality” 5. May 1, 2007 · For example, statistical comparison between the death rates of motorcyclists, BASE jumpers and climbers in the U. 0% from 798. We're basically watching people play Russian roulette. The woman, who was climbing with a 27-year-old man 1. ”) According to Honnold, Synnot writes, “no free soloist has ever fallen while pushing his limits. Aug 30, 2016 · A wingsuit BASE jumper just live-streamed his own death—marking the latest fatality in the sport’s deadliest year. 4% at 1 year, 80. ” Synnott quotes Honnold: “It doesn’t seem to be the way that people die. Mountain project lists that section as a 5. It is a type of climbing that is done without the use of ropes, harnesses, or other safety equipment. In terms of climbing grades, Alex Honnold has done some hard free solo's but there are a few climbers who have solo'd harder routes - grade wise. On Saturday, May 18, 48-year-old Bob Dergay of Boulder, Colorado, fell an estimated 100 feet while free-soloing the popular Bastille Crack, a five-pitch 5. This is a type of free solo where the climber isn’t protected by crash pads or mats but instead by the ocean (or pool) underneath the route. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Bulgaria. Free Solo: Directed by Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi. Just a few days later, he and Gietl made the first ascent of the massive Aura (AI 5 M6; 3,900ft) in the Italian Dolomites. 12d / 7c. Witnesses reported seeing a large block fall For example, a free solo death could close a crag if it brought too much negative press attention, and it could certainly traumatize anybody who was unlucky enough to see it happen. Falling on a free solo like this is basically certain death. (Synnott calls this Honnold’s “homegrown statistic. Apr 29, 2025 · The fatality rate in free solo climbing is significantly higher, with estimates around 1 in 1,000 climbers annually, due to the lack of safety gear Statistic 28 Climbing-related fatalities are most common in the United States and Europe, accounting for about 65% of global deaths Free solo climbing, or free soloing, is a form of rock climbing where the climber (or free soloist) climbs solo (or alone) without ropes or other protective equipment Dec 27, 2022 · On December 4, Nathaniel Masahi Takatsuno (22) fell to his death while free soloing Leonids, a three-pitch 5. More recently, in 2017, the 17-year-old Carter Christens fell to his death from near the summit of the First Flatiron. 1% versus 77. standard population in 2022 to 750. Jun 20, 2023 · The Twinkie solo encapsulated many idiosyncrasies of Howell’s free soloing: climbing hard, steep routes that had awkward descents; a tendency to climb with his shoes untied, or without chalk Nov 22, 2021 · The hardest free solo multi pitch was when Alex Honnold solo’d “Freerider” on El Cap. This is an astoundingly low figure given the speculation regarding the death rates in this sport, and the dangers that are understandably associated with it. Alex Honnold (born August 17, 1985) is an American rock climber best known for his free solo ascents of big walls. 12d Jul 5, 2024 · In Free Solo, elite climber Tommy Caldwell points out: “Everyone who has made free soloing a big part of their life is dead now. Even high-ball bouldering isn’t the same thing. The route is rated at around 5. Posted by u/omfgus - 80,211 votes and 6,123 comments Apr 29, 2019 · One thing I had to share from Synnott’s book was how Honnold views the risk of death from free soloing. Edouard Mathieu, Hannah Ritchie, Lucas Rodés-Guirao, Cameron Appel, Daniel Gavrilov, Charlie Giattino, Joe Hasell, Bobbie Macdonald, Saloni Dattani, Diana Beltekian, Esteban Ortiz-Ospina, and Max Roser The Human Mortality Database (HMD) is the world's leading scientific data resource on mortality in developed countries. Nov 22, 2022 · In the last several weeks, two free-solo climbing deaths were reported that were particularly unnerving, in large part because of what climbing media focused on before and after these fatalities. 92 Latvia 14. K. Share Sort by: Top. 8 and 1. Mar 19, 2025 · What may surprise many acquainted with the sport is the fact that the competitive free diving death rate is only one person out of over 50,000 free diving competitions globally. 7 years, respectively. 25 years old Jonas Hainz who has free soloed long multi-pitch routes up to 5. Corresponding mortality rates were 110 and 127 deaths per 1000 patient-years, with mean follow-up of 1. 13a, the first-ever big wall free solo ascent at that grade), [3] a climb described in The New York 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. An interesting variant of free solo is the deep water solo. 50% by 2047, reach 0 in 2084, and decline by Apr 29, 2025 · The fatality rate in free solo climbing is significantly higher, with estimates around 1 in 1,000 climbers annually, due to the lack of safety gear Statistic 28 Climbing-related fatalities are most common in the United States and Europe, accounting for about 65% of global deaths We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Deep water solo sits somewhere in between roped climbing and free soloing. 12 Romania 14. com Open. By definition, a free solo climb is one where falling is not one of your options. Alex Huber has free soloed 14a. S. Climber Michael Sandler witnessed the accident. Death Rates by Marital Status for Leading Causes of Death: United States, 2010-2019 [PDF – 332 KB] Trends in Death Rates in Urban and Rural Areas: United States, 1999-2019 Mortality Among Adults Ages 25 and Older by Marital Status: United States, 2010–2017 Stroke Death Rates Among Adults Ages 45–64 by Region and Race and Hispanic Origin: United States, 2002–2022 (8/8/2024) Infant Mortality in the United States, 2022: Data From the Period Linked Birth/Infant Death File [PDF – 1,220 KB] (7/25/2024) 2016-2020 Matched Multiple Birth and Fetal Death Data File (5/29/2024) Country / territory Rate [1] Lithuania 15. Survival estimates are displayed in Figure 1A . A few months later, Erik Kleiber fell from the First as well, and likewise perished. Climbers aim to conquer some of the most I've had mixed feelings about free soloing for a while, but watching Dani Arnold's free solo of Beta Block Super was the last straw. 4. I'm guessing the couple treated it like an exposed hike, rather than what immediately springs to mind when I hear "Free solo" climbing. But I don't think the approach scramble comparison is a good one. 70 Russia 13. 98 Hungary I'm basically doing my report on free-soloing. Feb 25, 2019 · Last night, two of climbing’s biggest stars—co-director Jimmy Chin and free soloist Alex Honnold—took the stage at the 2019 Academy Awards and accepted an Oscar for Best Documentary Film for Summary: Male and female out climbing, female fell and died. He had begun talks with a potential filmmaker to make a documentary about his exploits. They often rehearse free solo projects many times on rope before going free solo, although there a notable cases of 'onsight' free solos like Hansjörg Auer's 'Weg durch den Fisch'. Posted by u/MeandJohnWoo - 1 vote and no comments Essentially there is free climbing and aid climbing. Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccinations. Dave mccleod soloed some 8c+/14c Darwin Dixit in Margalef, 8c/14b Free soloing or free solo climbing is a type of rock or ice climbing where climbers, or more commonly known as free soloists, climb alone without using safety equipment such as ropes, harnesses, helmets, and the like. is that the BFL appears to be trending at an accelerated rate—more than May 15, 2019 · Gabe had tried to free a stuck rope and decided to untie. Brad Gobright, 31, fell around 300m (1,000ft) to his death in El Potrero Chico in northern Mexico. 27 Estonia 13. 12b / 7b, and then his most difficult single pitch free solo on “Heaven” 5. Most free solo climbers climb with a rope for the majority of their climbs, although exceptions like Paul Preuss exist. 8 deaths per 100,000 U. growth rate is currently declining and is projected to continue to decline in the coming years (reaching below 0. is that the BFL appears to be trending at an accelerated rate—more than From award-winning documentary filmmaker E. Open comment sort options. growth rate reached its peak in the late 1960s, when it was at 2. Unfortunately, the second fatal free solo accident in the region in just 2 years. Sep 16, 2021 · In 2019, Free Solo won a Best Documentary Oscar for documenting Alex Honnold’s journey to become the first person to ever free solo climb El Capitan, the 3,000-foot-tall rock formation in Yosemite National Park. There’s no one there to help you. Sep 4, 2020 · This was the first free solo of Fitz Roy, he then followed it with another 7,000 foot route on the Fitz Roy he called the “Californian Roulette”. Survival percentages in DHHD versus in-center patients were 89. 13 Croatia 12. Alex's hardest free solo is at the grade of 13a iirc. Top. found that the death rate for climbers was 1:4000 which compares favourably The meaning of FREE SOLO is a climb in which a climber uses no artificial aids for support and has no rope or other safety equipment for protection in case of a fall. Chai Vasarhelyi and world-renowned photographer and mountaineer Jimmy Chin, the directors of 'Meru' comes this stunning, intimate and unflinching portrait of free soloist climber Alex Honnold, as he prepares to achieve his lifelong dream: climbing the face of the world’s most famous rock the 3,200-foot El Capitan in Yosemite National Park May 15, 2019 · Gabe had tried to free a stuck rope and decided to untie. Their achievements continue to inspire and challenge climbers worldwide, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in this daring and exhilarating discipline. 8% at 2 years, and 72. 5 in 2023 (Figure 2, Table 2). Nov 29, 2019 · A world-renowned American free solo climber has died attempting to descend the side of a cliff face. Free climbing is using your hands and feet on the rock to climb, aid climbing uses a bunch of gear to help you ascend. Alex Honnold faces the biggest challenge of his career, climbing El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. When it comes to rock climbing as a whole, it is a generally safe sport. Controversial. Oct 14, 2019 · With the growing attention being paid to free soloists after Free Solo, he had begun to attract a larger following within the booming danger-sport landscape, alongside the skyscraper parkour and perilous selfies taken atop towers and on cliff edges. ” is currently (2025) growing at a rate of around 0. 4% versus 87. 12a / 7a+, made the first free solo of “Dog’s Roof” 5. According to the World Health Organization, the causes of death in Bulgaria are similar to those in other European countries, including non-communicable diseases (diseases of the circulatory, digestive, or respiratory systems) and cancers. Old. I was wondering if anybody knew of a pretty comprehensive list of free-soloists that have passed away in an accident? I've seen the free solo climbing wikipedia article that has a list of accidents. 16 Serbia 15. In recent years, Tyler Gordon died on the Nose in 2015 when he hit a ledge after an accident made while rappelling. 8% at 3 years. Russian Free Soloist Falling to His Death (1989) imgur. 98 Hungary Aug 30, 2016 · A wingsuit BASE jumper just live-streamed his own death—marking the latest fatality in the sport’s deadliest year. Feb 27, 2020 · We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. 31 Ukraine 13. Let’s start with some cold hard numbers to get an idea of how much free solo contributes to solo climbing deaths and accidents. Best. New. Free solo climbers rely on their own strength and skill Jun 3, 2018 · The "sad news marks the 25th accident resulting in a death on El Capitan. Bulgaria has the highest mortality rate in the world at 15. Any others? These climbers, among many other free solo climbers, have not only demonstrated incredible physical and mental strength but have also embodied the spirit of free solo climbing. Free solo ice climbs virtually guarantee death at some point no matter how careful the climber. The HMD provides detailed high-quality harmonized mortality and population estimates to researchers, students, journalists, policy analysts, and others interested in human longevity. The pitches vary in difficulty with the hardest being 5. ” With the protection stripped away, all it takes is a lapse in concentration, a loose hold, a falling rock, a startled animal or a sudden change in the weather to land the climber in serious trouble. One of the most dangerous sports in the world, free climbing accidents lead to around 30 deaths every year, a large amount considering the number of people that attempt these ascents. You can aid solo or The riskiest sport in the world Free climbing is defined as “rock climbing without the assistance of devices such as pegs placed in the rock, large ropes or belays”. The grade isn't the reason he gets his notoriety. 12d and 5. If it was a high-profile death (like Honnold) then it could also have implications for public perceptions of the sport of climbing overall, which could impact Feb 7, 2024 · In this case it's tempting to think the hypothesis to have been "Did the release of Free Solo lead to a change in the rate of serious free solo accidents?", whereas in all likelihood the hypothesis came after the data, such as "Is the rise in serious free solo accidents at around the time of the release of Free Solo a result of it?" May 5, 2025 · The risks of free solo climbing ; The causes of free solo deaths ; Ways to prevent free solo deaths ; Free Solo Death. Death Rates by Marital Status for Leading Causes of Death: United States, 2010-2019 [PDF – 332 KB] Trends in Death Rates in Urban and Rural Areas: United States, 1999-2019 Mortality Among Adults Ages 25 and Older by Marital Status: United States, 2010–2017 Country / territory Rate [1] Lithuania 15. Jul 5, 2019 · This is the second free soloing death that has occurred this year as the result of unstable rock. Feb 7, 2024 · In this case it's tempting to think the hypothesis to have been "Did the release of Free Solo lead to a change in the rate of serious free solo accidents?", whereas in all likelihood the hypothesis came after the data, such as "Is the rise in serious free solo accidents at around the time of the release of Free Solo a result of it?" I wouldn't condemn free soloing because at the end of the day, its your life and if you understand the risks and choose to participate that's just your choice. Free solo climbing is one of the most dangerous sports in the world. Dec 13, 2018 · We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Honnold rose to worldwide fame in June 2017 when he became the first person to free solo a full route on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park (via the 2,900-foot route Freerider at 5. Dec 20, 2024 · Then, in January 2024, he free soloed a new 1,300-foot mixed climb on the West Face of the Hammerspitze (8,665ft), Austria, called Daily Dose of Luck (WI 5 M4). What are the age-adjusted death rates for race-ethnicity-sex groups? The age-adjusted death rate for the total population decreased 6. Add a Comment Free Solo is a 2018 American documentary film directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin [4] [Free Solo] captures the death-defying climb with vertigo Aug 11, 2022 · Deep water solo is a safer form of free soloing. Feb 19, 2023 · Zach Milligan, a prolific free solo climber who lived in a cave at Yosemite National Park for 13 years and was one of the first to descend its globally-recognized Half Dome on skis was found dead . 9% versus 69. 69 Bulgaria 14. nbke etnyu uabbzi dagzfg ibr cxgx ljvew pjfgh lbl zwbdbmh