Free climbing death rate. Sorry to be pessimistic.

Free climbing death rate. Learn about the risks, consequences, and famous cases of fatal free solo accidents, including the importance of safety protocols, risk assessment, and climbing regulations, to understand why experienced climbers like Alex Honnold approach this extreme sport with caution and respect. com Apr 29, 2025 · Climbing may seem exhilarating and risk-filled, but startling statistics reveal that approximately 1 in 10,000 climbers face a fatal accident annually—an urgent reminder of the dangers and the critical importance of safety measures in this high-risk sport. Free soloing is the most dangerous form of climbing, and, unlike bouldering, free soloists climb above safe heights, where a fall can be fatal. But I can't help but wonder: among the successful crazy and insane climbs we see on videos, how many people fail and fall? (sorry if this question has already been asked before). The Icefall Doctors are removing all the ladders in the Western Cwm and Khumbu Icefall, thus officially Jan 22, 2025 · Our annual tribute to the members of the climbing community we lost this past year. With Marc-André Leclerc, Peter Mortimer, Alex Honnold, Jason Kruk. 8 percent, respectively, as of Dec 17, 2023 · Image taken by: https://geopoliticalfutures. However, death Nov 22, 2021 · How dangerous is Rock Climbing really? On average, we see about 30 deaths per year, though it does fluctuate. Scroll down to see the odds and for more data and related content below the infographic. That’s pretty similar to rock climbing, but still is very small. com describes free soloing as “is an extremely dangerous sport, one that has led to the untimely deaths of many experienced climbers. Everest and Makalu). Marc-André Leclerc climbs alone, far from the limelight. 7 on the Bastille formation in Eldorado Canyon. Now, it's possible they came up with that high figure because it was a particularly bad year in a comparatively small field, but it still adds up to a startlingly high probability of dying Dec 29, 2024 · Based on available data, the rate of climbing-related deaths appears to have stabilized in recent years, but it is still a concerning figure when you consider that rock climbing fatalities make up a small percentage of all outdoor recreation-related deaths. May 24, 2012 · Since 2003, tower climbing has ranked among the most dangerous jobs in America, compiling an average annual death rate more than 10 times that of construction work. The most recent was in June, when a climber fell to his death from a cliff on the west coast of Vancouver Island. 2 percent and 22. According to recent statistics, the mountain has approximately ten climber deaths every year. Notable Free Solos Final repatriation costs tens of thousands of dollars. This is a list of mountaineers who have died on these mountains. 6 per 100,000, making it the most dangerous job in America. Jul 31, 2016 · A couple of years ago, analysts found that the death rate among cell tower workers was 183. Witnesses reported seeing a large block fall during the accident. And yes we are scared of falling. com! From the abstract, emphasis added: Overall, climbing sports had a lower injury incidence and severity score than many popular sports, including basketball, sailing or soccer; indoor climbing ranked the lowest in terms of injuries of all sports assessed. I'm guessing the couple treated it like an exposed hike, rather than what immediately springs to mind when I hear "Free solo" climbing. The problem with free soloing is that if you do die, best case scenario you're creating a horrific mess somebody else has to clean up; worst case scenario you're damaging the global climbing community with a high-profile accident that will make people think climbing is more dangerous and irresponsible than it is, inspire private landowners to May 22, 2012 · Tower climbing, an obscure field with no more than 10,000 workers, has a death rate roughly 10 times that of construction. 1. This year’s list includes 44 climbers ranging in age from 18 to 96. Dec 27, 2022 · In the case of free solo deaths, there often isn't much to analyze or improve upon accident wise, since free-soloing is a personal decision and one that climbers execute alone, without gear. Extrapolating 30 deaths per 5,000,000 North American Climbers to the estimated I'm basically doing my report on free-soloing. Jul 26, 2024 · Annapurna 2 Death Rate Annapurna II is known for being one of the most challenging peaks to climb, and it has a high death rate compared to other peaks. The use of proper safety gear reduces Jan 20, 2025 · The climber had been regularly checking in with family via an InReach communication device during their attempted solo climb of Denali. Of these deaths, 25% are due to rappelling accidents and 30% are due to solo climbing accidents. Dec 18, 2023 · Discover all statistics and data on Climbing in the United States now on statista. And the climbing season isn’t over yet. found that the death rate for climbers was 1:4000 which compares favourably Jul 11, 2023 · A 26-year-old Boulder woman died Sunday after she fell 500 feet during a free-solo climb on the Four Aces of Blitzen Ridge in Rocky Mountain National Park, park officials said. And buckle up on your way to your next adventure! Apr 2, 2025 · Local Free-solo climber falls to death at Nooksack Falls Family honors outdoorsman’s legacy of adventure and passion for nature April 2, 2025 5:55 p. So how many tower climbers die per year and what is the tower climber death rate? Climbing at all is an intentional risk. 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 · How many people have died climbing El Capitan free solo? Over thirty fatalities have been recorded between 1905 and 2018 while climbing El Capitan, including seasoned climbers. Let’s put it this way: no injuries are really reported in this extreme sport because those who don’t make it have died. List of people who died climbing Mount EverestNorth face of Mount Everest Over 340 people have died attempting to reach—or return from—the summit of Mount Everest which, at 8,848. Gonna hit on some of the free-soloing greats like Honnold and Potter. Sad and completely avoidable death. While the risks are evident, the reasons why climbers choose to free solo are multifaceted and deeply personal. Nov 22, 2021 · How dangerous is Rock Climbing really? On average, we see about 30 deaths per year, though it does fluctuate. Have There Been Deaths on Mt. This form of climbing requires unparalleled skill, mental fortitude, and complete trust in one’s abilities. Nov 22, 2021 · How many died free climbing? On average, we see about 30 deaths per year, though it does fluctuate. Broad Peak is the 12th-highest mountain in the world and presents challenging technical climbing sections, particularly along its West Ridge. We take a closer look at the daring stunt that has left many dead after failed attempts left climbers lifeless. 1993 — attempting to free solo Sentinel Rock in Yosemite My stats are per participant per year, so death rate for someone who climbs outdoors an average amount vs death rate for someone who rides in a car an average amount. Others died free soloing or in rappelling accidents; they died of rockfall, exposure, avalanches, altitude sickness, or while Not directly to your question, but the pair of Alpinist podcasts titled "Death in Climbing" with David Roberts is worth listening to--he talks not just about people dying in the mountains, but also how living climbers respond to it and to the question of their own mortality and relationship with risk. Free soloing, if you’re unfamiliar with the term, is climbing without a rope, safety gear or a climbing partner. Through interviews, rangers also determined the last known sighting of the 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. Jul 11, 2023 · A 26-year-old woman from Boulder, Colorado, died after falling approximately 500 feet while free-solo climbing a ridge in the state’s Rocky Mountain National Park on Sunday, the park said. S. He died after a 130-foot free solo fall. Learn about this free solo fall and the rescuers' experience here, and dive into the larger conversation abou 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. Jan 9, 2023 · Each year we compile this tribute to the climbers who’ve passed away in the previous 12 months. Although these statistics continue to change over time, they offer some perspective. Mountaineering rangers patrolling the upper mountain quickly located the climber’s empty tent at the top of the 16,200-foot ridge. May 15, 2025 · Free solo climbing deaths are a grim reality in the climbing community. KYLE WAITES: AT&T made everybody have a stand-down, discuss the deaths, why it happened, what will happen to you if you get caught free climbing. May 30, 2024 · The 2024 Everest season ended well for the Alpenglow group, but sadly, there was another death on the Nepal side. Edit: just to clarify, the article describes this as a beginners course, but there seems to be a consensus that it is much more difficult than that. With no cameras and no margin for error, Leclerc's approach is the essence of solo adventure. Nov 29, 2019 · A world-renowned American free solo climber has died attempting to descend the side of a cliff face. Millions of people engage in mountain sports activities worldwide. Proper planning and preparation will reduce most risks significantly. The Feb 19, 2023 · Zach Milligan, a prolific free solo climber who was one of the first to descend the national park’s Half Dome on skis, died after a fall in Canada. National Climbing Safety Foundation, the total number of climbing-related deaths in Canada and the United States averages between 20 and 50 each year with an average of 10 deaths per 100,000 climbers. And they’re arguably less likely to need rescue given that they generally climb below their realistic technical capacity when they decide not to take gear along. Dec 7, 2024 · Learn about Island Peak Deaths: Risks, Causes, and How to Stay Safe During Your Climb. m. 4M subscribers in the climbing community. Mar 30, 2024 · Annually there are around 30 rock climbing-related deaths per year. Jul 28, 2024 · Summit Coach Schedule a Free Call If you dream of climbing mountains but are unsure how to start or reach your next level, from a Colorado 14er to Rainier, Everest, or even K2, we can help. Summary: Male and female out climbing, female fell and died. View the most recent suicide data overall and by selected demographic characteristics. 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. Extrapolating 30 deaths per 5,000,000 North American Climbers to the estimated global total of 25,000,000 climbers, we could see around 150 climbing-related deaths per year. May 24, 2019 · The death zone is considered to be any place 30 feet above the ground Credit: Media Drum World What is the highest free solo climb? Alex Honnold is a 33-year-old rock climber who was the first person to make a free solo climb on the world's most famous rock face, El Capitan. 2024 was a challenging year that may change the trajectory of climbing Everest, especially on the Nepal side. Nov 5, 2016 · Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. It’s been estimated that tower climbers—typically subcontractors—have an on-the-job death rate nearly 10 times that of other construction workers. AT&T took notice. Sorry to be pessimistic. The mountain has a fatality rate of about 8 deaths per 100 successful summits. Mar 2, 2023 · Annapurna stands as the inverse of Mt. Given that it's severe injuries as well as deaths, the numbers per year will vary with reporting too. Free solo deaths are a tragic reality of one of the most extreme and awe-inspiring disciplines in the climbing world—free solo climbing. Tragically, the climbing world lost this legend in 2009 when he fell to his death free-soloing a moderate route on the Dike Wall above Lake George. How many Free solo climbing (climbing without ropes or any other safety equipment) has struck awe in onlookers around the world, with climbers like Alex Honnold daring to scale insane heights. The free solo accidents number might seem pretty high, but remember you only have once chance of getting this right. The overall fatality rate for outdoor rock climbing is approximately 0. Even lowball bouldering and single-pitch sport climbing are not risk-free activities. Oct 14, 2019 · Has Alex Honnold’s free solo climb of El Capitan sparked more daredevils? At least one free soloist has fallen to his death since the film was released. Some of these climbers died of natural causes, at home or in hospitals, among relatives and friends. Though many climbers have free soloed routes with technical grades that they are very comfortable on, only a tiny group free solo regularly, and at technical grades closer to the limit of their Sep 4, 2020 · Alex Honnold brought Free Soloing to the public's eye - Read about the legendary climbers who risked everything for the ultimate ascent According to literature found on the number of climbing accidents and fatality rate, mountain climbing cannot be defined as high-risk sport, except for free solo climbing, where a fall is often fatal. As a climber, I wish this were less widely publicized. What Is Free Solo Climbing? Nov 2, 2023 · He often spoke about the purity of free soloing and the deep connection between the climber, the rock, and the moment. Understand the challenges of high-altitude trekking, proper acclimatization, and preparation to ensure a secure and rewarding ascent of Island Peak. Alex's hardest free solo is at the grade of 13a iirc. Nevertheless, a fatality risk remains, especially in alpine and ice climbing. Brad Gobright, 31, fell around 300m (1,000ft) to his death in El Potrero Chico in northern Nov 16, 2023 · The Breakdown Many free soloist have died trying, so why do it? Free soloing, the act of climbing without the use of ropes or safety gear, is one of the most daring and controversial forms of rock climbing. May 1, 2007 · For example, statistical comparison between the death rates of motorcyclists, BASE jumpers and climbers in the U. Everest would be several orders of magnitude more risky than a typical free solo, yet I doubt the OP would view it as an illegitimate activity. 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. Free soloing is extremely dangerous, and dozens of climbers - including experienced ones die doing it every year. How Can You Decrease the Dangers of Climbing Kilimanjaro? Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro has potential dangers, but overall it is relatively safe based on the mortality rates discussed above. I wonder if the rise in free solo accidents correlate with other stats, like number of outdoor climbers, or number of bouldering or trad accidents. Summit Coach is a consulting service that helps aspiring climbers throughout the world achieve their goals through a personalized set of consulting services based on Alan Arnette’s 25 years of high The Alpinist: Directed by Peter Mortimer, Nick Rosen. Is bouldering safer than rock climbing? Jan 15, 2016 · head of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) once called tower climbing “the most dangerous job in America,” and for good reason. The free-spirited 23-year-old makes some of the boldest solo ascents in history. The dangers of soloing make 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. Rescuing a free solo climber isn’t any more risky than rescuing a roped-in climber. In 2017, the day after Alex Honnold completed his free-solo ascent of El-Capitan, climbing journalist and author Daniel Duane wrote in The New York Times: “I believe that it should be celebrated as one of the great athletic feats of any Dec 20, 2024 · Martin Feistl, 27, was among the most talented and bold climbers of his generation. 283 votes, 57 comments. What free solo Jun 10, 2018 · An eye witness and several climbing experts familiar with the route and the techniques that are normally used on it have pieced together the most likely scenario — and it paints a grim portrait Dec 4, 2024 · Each year we compile a tribute to the climbers who’ve died in the previous 12 months. ” Discover the 10 deadliest mountains to climb, ranked by death rates. Extrapolating 30 deaths per 5,000,000 North American Climbers to the estimated Jul 24, 2019 · This is still one of our favorite infographics of all time, illustrating the chances of dying by sport and activity. I understand the art you all are doing, and I enjoy watching urban climbing videos so much. This is due to various factors, including technical difficulty, severe weather conditions, and treacherous terrain. de reported, quoting a police Six of the fourteen summits of the Eight-Thousanders (Manaslu, Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Mt. Everest. com Understanding the fatality rates in rock climbing is paramount for climbers and enthusiasts alike. So, in short, free soloing is an extremely dangerous sport, one that has led to the untimely deaths of many experienced climbers. 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. 71 votes, 21 comments. May 24, 2019 · Free solo climbing is a dangerous sport that every day climbers tend to stay away from. This makes it the mountain with the most deaths, although it does not have the highest death rate. The most successful free soloists also become well known in the climbing community and in rare cases attain notoriety outside the small circle of rock climbers. The home of Climbing on reddit. 4 fatal car crashes per 100,000 people in the US in 2017. Explore their dangers, histories, and chilling stories of triumph and tragedy. It goes beyond the adrenaline rush and picturesque landscapes; it delves into the very real risks that climbers face. According to the United States Parachute Association, the fatality rate is around 20 out of 3 million jumps. Brad Gobright, 31, fell around 300m (1,000ft) to his death in El Potrero Chico in northern Do people who free climb skyscrapers have a high mortality rate? And if you are an urban free climber why do you do it! Dec 27, 2019 · According to literature found on the number of climbing accidents and fatality rate, mountain climbing cannot be defined as high-risk sport, except for free solo climbing, where a fall is often fatal. Jul 5, 2024 · Free soloing is a dangerous form of climbing without ropes or safety equipment, distinct from free climbing. Nov 30, 2022 · As many know, tower climber deaths are a real risk. Mountain project lists that section as a 5. In the last nine years, nearly 100 tower climbers have been killed on the Jun 3, 2018 · Two men climbing a granite rock wall known as El Capitan in Yosemite National Park fell to their deaths Saturday morning, the National Park Service said. including 8 different mountains Sep 21, 2023 · Check out some of the world's most legendary, frightening, and ground-breaking free solos of all time. Everest is the tallest mountain in the world but only has the tenth highest death rate. Although leisure-time physical activity is associated with significant health benefits, mountain sports activities also bear an inherent risk for injury and death. See full list on climbgearhub. An experienced free soloist, Feistl was climbing ropeless on the Spitzenstätter-Baldauf route, a 270m line described in detail here. 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”. While the comparisons aren’t exact, there were 11. Mountaineering athletes, for instance, demonstrate higher rates of head and spine injuries as well as higher grade traumas and poly-traumas, while sport and alpine climbing see a high incidence of lower limb 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. Feb 25, 2019 · While we may see a rise in overall deaths, to climb without ropes or gear is still a niche of a niche. Climbing Mt. 2009 — while free soloing moderate rock (Honnold and Synnott believe Bachar had health challenges that affected his fateful climb) Derek Hersey, d. Feb 7, 2024 · My first thought would be that climbing has got a lot more popular in the same time . 86 m (29,031 ft 81⁄2 in), is Earth's highest mountain and a particularly desirable peak for mountaineers. Kilimanjaro? Almost every major mountain holds a certain risk of death associated with climbing it, and Mount Kilimanjaro is no different. The grade isn't the reason he gets his notoriety. Feb 14, 2022 · A comprehensive analysis of 30 years worth of data of climbing accidents recorded in Accidents in North American Climbing. How many people died from rock climbing a year? According to the U. He lost his footing on a difficult, overhanging section and fell 40m, Alpin. The woman, who was climbing with a 27-year-old man Jul 3, 2025 · When looking at the 14 highest mountains above sea level worldwide, Annapurna I and K2 were the mountains with highest summit to death ratio, at 27. He was 27 years old. So, let’s break down this critical aspect of rock climbing, from the concept of fatality rates to the numbers that shape our Dec 22, 2024 · Deadliest Mountain over 8000 Meters altitude from sea level as per the Latest Fatality Rate 2023/24. 4. Climbers aim to conquer some of the most Apr 29, 2019 · Henry Barber — still living Peter Croft — still living and still climbing However, there are two that died free soloing John Bachar, d. Jun 4, 2022 · Imbued with a strong sense of climbing history, Forester was at the time of his death assembling hundreds of pages of route and historical info for a series of guide and history books to publish as a free resource. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. May 22, 2023 · The 2023 death toll on Everest has already reached double digits—with multiple people still missing. Alex Huber has free soloed 14a. Extrapolating 30 deaths per 5,000,000 North American Climbers to the estimated Jun 21, 2023 · Different forms of climbing also demonstrate different trends in rates, severity, and fatality of injuries within the sport as a whole. This year’s list includes 50 climbers, ranging in age from 22 to 102. Jul 5, 2019 · This is the second free soloing death that has occurred this year as the result of unstable rock. However, the pursuit of climbing without ropes or protection comes with immense risks, and sadly, some of the sport’s greatest pioneers have lost May 22, 2024 · Martin Feistl of Austria fell to his death on Saturday while free soloing the south face of the Scharnitzspitze, in the Austrian Tyrol. Falls are responsible for around 60% of all climbing-related fatalities. Expertclimbers. May 1, 2025 · Key Findings Rock climbing fatalities are relatively rare compared to other outdoor activities, with an estimated risk of 1 in 1 million injuries leading to death annually. The eight-thousanders are the 14 mountains that rise more than 8,000 metres (26,247 ft) above sea level. She was an experienced climber on a beginner’s climbing course, but because she was free *solo climbing, there was always the potential for death. K. 03 deaths per 10,000 climbers per year. Any others? 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. 2 days ago · Lung Cancer Remains a Leading Cause of Death as Rates Climb Among Women in Belgium Would you climb a very high ladder, so high you would die if you fell from the top, if you knew that it was within your ability to climb this ladder with no mistakes? The 400ft Fall That Almost Killed Alex Honnold Climbing Stuff 128K subscribers Subscribed 30K Yes climbing is a spectrum of risk, and everyone selects the level at which their risk/reward ratio is met. They are all in the Himalayan and Karakoram mountain ranges. 2K votes, 541 comments. This includes age, sex, race/ethnicity, and method of suicide. Mar 26, 2025 · Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States.