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Dean Potter is perhaps my fave climber. Alex Lowe used to fill that spot, but died in a slab avalanche while skiiing on on Shishapangma in Tibet.
Potter is hardcore but also super-smart, and he dominates the Yosemite climbing scene. (Does Camp IV ring a bell to any Naked Edge fans?) He speed climbs, free solos (climbs without ropes), high balls (bouldering without ropes), base jumps (leaps off cliffs wearing a small parachute) and high-lines (walks on a tightrope high above the earth with no protection other than a small chute).
This video shows how he's mixing these up, using the questionable protection of a parachute to back him up when he free solos crazy things like a big wall on the Eiger (in the Alps). This video shows him falling, once while high-lining and once while free-soloing.
“Now when I fall, instead of dying, I’m flying,” he says.
It’s breathtaking to watch.
I suppose Gabe grew out of a mix of the rangers I know, plus Alex Lowe and Dean Potter. As an aside, my brother Robert and I know Dean Potter’s wife, Steph Davis, whom I mentioned in Naked Edge. She’s a fantastic climber in her own right, and you can search YouTube for videos of her.
Sorry to be behind in keeping the blog up to date. I had RomCon over the weekend, dinner with both of my sons, Benjamin’s girlfriend and her entire family Monday night, and dinner after work last night with author Anna Campbell. So I have either been at work or out having a bit of fun, which is nice.
Today, we’re getting the paper out, but I ran across this video and just had to share it. Here’s for those of you who loved Gabe!
7 comments:
My favorite 4-letter word: GABE *sigh*
I'm amazed by these athletes, cool clip.
That is heart stopping! As you know, there is no way I can choose just one of your heros. They are like fine chocolate, I can't have just one. *BEG*
Holy moly that is insane lol. EEK BIG hugs my dear hope you had a great time at Rom Con!
Sorry to have been out of touch my router died and AT&T just got me hooked back up yesterday.
Hi, Scorpio — That's a pretty nice four-letter word, isn't it? Glad you liked the clip. It is amazing stuff they do. So much of it involves controlling their minds, I'm sure. But they're also super, super, super strong and fit.
Hi, Debbie — Fortunately, you will never have to choose from among the I-Team heroes. You can enjoy them all. :-)
Hi, Jenn — Good to see you again. Sorry you had 'Net troubles. Isn't it amazing to think they do this by choice? Someone would have to hold a gun to my head. Free falling is such an awful feeling — I know, believe me.
RomCon was great. Trying to get the pieces of everyday life back in order.
Gabe is one of my favorite 4-letter words too - this clip is mind-blowing. Flying instead of dying. That says it all.
gah! Crazy cool...heart pounding. YIKES! *picture me covering my eyes, but with my fingers open so I can still see*
My God! Is there nothing this guy won't attempt?!! It's frightening.
I couldn't even cope with the altitude sickness but guess what? I'm finally feeling better.
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