One of the world’s most accomplished alpinists, Dean Potter, nicknamed the “Dark Wizard”, dies tragically on Saturday 16th May together with climbing partner Graham Hunt, 29.

The pair were seen to have jumped 7,500ft from Taft Point, California, overlooking Yosemite Valley and El Capitan, in an attempt to escape park rangers. Help was called after contact with them was lost. Both bodies were found on Sunday by Search and Rescue; their reserve parachutes had not been deployed.

Potter, acclaimed for his hair-raising “free”-solo climbing and daredevil BASE jumping sometimes with his dog, Whisper, moved to BASE jumping in 2002 when, whilst climbing, was hit by a falling rock which considerably slowed his descent. In 2008 Potter started free-BASE jumping by climbing the Deep Blue Sea route up the North Face of the Eiger in Switzerland and later setting a world record from there in 2009 for the longest swoop made by a wingsuiter; 2 minutes 50 seconds over a four mile descent. A free line-walker and climber having solo’d routes in China, Utah and Pantagonia, amongst an admirable list too long to mention, Potter was also an inspiration for film and music makers, and featured in Valley Uprising in 2014.

“Go towards your fears” was his way. Our condolences go to his family, friends and to the community. He will be greatly missed.

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