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susu
Trad climber
East Bay, CA
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May 20, 2015 - 01:56pm PT
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This news struck so hard though I didn't know them personally. At the time of first hearing of this loss, I only knew of Dean through climbing, but what an impression left on the rest of us. It is always sad to hear of such a tragedy, but especially when those involved were clearly so full of life. May the best of memories of them light the dark. Sincerest condolences to family and friends.
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SC seagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, Moab or In What Time Zone Am I?
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May 20, 2015 - 07:12pm PT
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Susan
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Chippychopperone
Social climber
SLC, UT
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May 20, 2015 - 08:22pm PT
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This has effected me in a surprising way. As I do not know who Graham Hunt was, and my outmost condolences go to his family and soul, I have to comment on Dean and his prophetic influence.
When Dean did the Arches shananigan, I was angry and held that anger for years. I was pissed off with the extra eye from the park service while I climbed the soft rock. Many may argue, but I felt that Dean invited the media on an arch that was known as illegal to climb.
After much thought, this guy didn't think about whether this was illegal or not. He only though about the beautiful ascent of the arch. In his last years, I thought he was trying to keep sponsors by completing and advertising stunts worthy of the big dollar sponsorships. I now know this is the opposite. The companies followed Dean on his magical endevours, trying to profit off something that very few can spiritually understand. I feel that he listened to his soul and lived a life many more years than many hope to every achieve. To die in the granite crucible would be an honor.
May both Graham and Dean rest in adventure.
TDA
SLC, UT
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vôo
climber
Denver, CO
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May 20, 2015 - 09:08pm PT
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Condolences to the friends and families of these two dynamic individuals.
I believe that it isn't thrill seeking or dare deviling that attracts us to sports that are not without danger. I believe it is because we gravitate to experiences that cause us to breathe a little deeper, and our hearts to beat a little louder. To feel alive. Things that cause us to spring out of bed with anticipation.
Hope everyone who knew Dean and Graham get through this ok.
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Hardman Knott
Gym climber
Muir Woods National Monument, Mill Valley, Ca
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May 21, 2015 - 01:46am PT
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Is there any way to read the post without having to create an account there?
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rockermike
Trad climber
Berkeley
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May 21, 2015 - 02:28am PT
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the guy who wrote the basejump piece says specifically, and twice, that he does not authorize any reproduction. I guess you have to give up you email to get in. Main takeaway for me (a know-nothing) is that the notch they shot for was considered extremely difficult and dangerous.
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Heisenberg
Trad climber
RV, middle of Nowehere
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May 21, 2015 - 04:47am PT
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Log into and make an account if you wish to view the information.
But out of respect for Charlie and most of all Dean and Graham DO NOT re-print it.
What Charlie wrote was one of the most difficult things imaginable to write. Be as respectful in the BASE forum as you would here regarding this event.
Please.
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RP3
Big Wall climber
Twain Harte
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May 21, 2015 - 06:30am PT
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Be as respectful in the BASE forum as you would here regarding this event.
Be careful what you ask for, Scott!
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survival
Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
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May 21, 2015 - 06:40am PT
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Didn't care for Mr. Whiting's opinion piece in the Orange County Register.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/potter-662429-george-base.html
For one thing, he said Dean was the first to do "big" free solos.
I guess he's never heard of Peter Croft or John Bachar, or Paul Preuss or Herman Buhl for that matter.....
The other thing was the "suicide" comment. Dick move.
Anyway, see for yourself
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Dingus McGee
Social climber
Where Safety trumps Leaving No Trace
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May 21, 2015 - 06:56am PT
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Bird Brains and Bat Brains are used for flying. They know the maneuvers (gradients) that they can achieve with their body types--through evolution. Any other type of brain is an imitation leading to disaster when encountering challenging winged events.
Bird maneuvers = 6g's or more?
Yes, but Potters arms were strong!
Is seeing something a raisin d'etre for believing you can do it??
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fear
Ice climber
hartford, ct
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May 21, 2015 - 07:29am PT
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I disagree... it takes people like Dean and Graham to push those envelopes for others to learn and develop better gear. Although future people who benefit from these early days of wing suits may never choose to fly that close to stuff.
I got into hang-gliding in 2000 with the benefit of decades of development before that. The gliders now are even better. Can you imagine squirrel suits in 20 years?
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BluntMan
Gym climber
Wild Omar, CA
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May 21, 2015 - 09:18am PT
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I met Dean once in Tuolumne when I was hiking back from Cathedral Peak. It was a week-day so there weren't many folks on the trail. He asked what I'd climbed and we chatted for a couple of minutes about how cool Cathedral Peak was. He was low-key and interested in MY experience. Although it was a brief interaction, I'll always remember how he took some time to chat with a regular-Joe like me.
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JLP
Social climber
The internet
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May 21, 2015 - 09:22am PT
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The post by Hjumper33 in this thread is the most cogent explanation of what happened in the accident of all that I have read. Thanks for posting that, well worth the time to register.
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JLP
Social climber
The internet
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May 21, 2015 - 09:33am PT
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Re-read a few times now, I'll delete the above interpretation until more comes out. I think an updated view of the terrain is what might be needed for non-jumpers like myself to understand this. I only have a guess at the location and features mentioned in some of these reports - via a Google Earth photo someone posted in another thread.
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Hardman Knott
Gym climber
Muir Woods National Monument, Mill Valley, Ca
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May 21, 2015 - 09:46am PT
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Log into and make an account if you wish to view the information.
But out of respect for Charlie and most of all Dean and Graham DO NOT re-print it.
Ah, now I understand. He specifically states that he did not want any part of his post shared anywhere else.
I created an account so I could read it. Thank you.
Thanks for posting that, well worth the time to register.
Ditto.
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Largo
Sport climber
The Big Wide Open Face
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May 21, 2015 - 10:11am PT
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I don't agree or see the logic in the belief that witholding the plain facts about people many of us knew is somehow "disrespectful" to the deceased, as though leving the details unsaid is more decorous or civilized. But the subject is touchy for many and tastes differ. Out of respect for the writer, who specifically wished his post to remain solely on BASEjumper.com and not be cut and pasted elsewhere, I provided the link and no more. I'm sure a comprehensive report is forthcoming.
JL
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shipoopoi
Big Wall climber
oakland
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May 21, 2015 - 11:02am PT
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way bummer... a lot of crying this week. i first met dean the day after he had done his fast mostly free solo of half dome. his eyes were still big and i could see that here was somebody larger than life, and a brave magnificent man.
in patagonia, heather got to know dean as well, as he took her under his wing and taught her the rudiments of slacklining. then, and after that, heather and him had deep conversations about life and the pursuit of happiness.
a year and a half ago, dean confided to heather that he needed to do these extreme sports to be able to live...quite a paradox.
we are devastated at the loss of an amazing man who really appreciated who we were as much as we appreciated the way he was.
dean was really into ravens, and i always think of him when i see them to the point where i feel he is visiting me. i am sure it will now be that way more than ever.
i hate proximity wingsuit flying. it seems that it is a dangerous addicting drug. i've watched untold hours of it on the net. i'm not talking about hucking off the captain or other "safe" jumps. i don't think there has been a basejumping death in the valley in 15 or 16 years. i'm talking about fliers grinding it, and trying to come close to shite.
3 years ago i had 9 friends that were into it. 3 are dead now. one quit after a wall strike. the other five, as far as i know, are still doing it. man, i hope they will be safe, or quit.
i think i met graham at stanley's memorial. my condolences to friends, family, and soulmates of both men. man you forever fly like a bird.
steve schneider
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