Brad Gobright, a renowned American rock climber, has died after falling approximately 300 metres (1,000 feet) from a mountain in Mexico. The incident occurred on Wednesday on the El Sendero Luminoso route on El Toro mountain in El Potrero Chico, near Monterrey, according to civil defence officials.
Gobright, 31, from California, was descending with fellow climber Aidan Jacobson after completing the challenging 5.12-rated face. The pair were using an advanced technique known as simul-rappelling, where two climbers descend simultaneously on the same rope. Jacobson reported that Gobright set up the rope for a short rappel without using the middle point, and despite Jacobson's attempt to adjust the rope, Gobright indicated he was fine. They began descending, and Gobright rappelled off the end of his rope.
Rock and Ice magazine described Gobright as “one of the most accomplished free solo climbers in the world.” He gained fame for setting a speed record in 2017 on the Nose route of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. Alex Honnold, star of the Oscar-winning documentary Free Solo, paid tribute on Instagram, calling Gobright a “gem of a man” and expressing sadness for his family and the climbing community.
The civil defence office noted the area was inaccessible and extended sympathies to the climbing community.
