Top Climber Brad Gobright Dies in Rappel Accident

Brad Gobright, 31, from Orange County, California, died in an accident in El Potrero Chico, Mexico. He was simul-rappelling the seventh pitch on El Sendero Luminoso, a 15-pitch 5.12+ multi-pitch on El Toro when the accident took place.

According to Rock and Ice, Gobright and Aiden Jacobson were using an 80-metre rope and they had not tied knots in the end. Gobright rappelled off the end of the rope and came to rest on a ledge below where Jacobson stopped.

Gobright was one of North America’s top climbers and had once held the speed record on The Nose with Jim Reynolds. This is one of climbing’s biggest losses in the past year and our condolences go out to his family and friends. More to come.

 

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I’m so sorry to hear that @bradgobright just died in a climbing accident. He was such a warm, kind soul – one of a handful of partners that I always loved spending a day with. I suppose there’s something to be said about being safe out there and the inherent risks in climbing but I don’t really care about that right now. I’m just sad for Brad and his family. And for all of us who were so positively affected by his life. So crushing. Brad was a real gem of a man. For all his strengths and weaknesses (like his insanely strong fingers, or living out of a Honda Civic…) at the core he was just a good guy. I guess there’s nothing really to say. I’m sad. The climbing world lost a true light. Rest in peace…

A post shared by Alex Honnold (@alexhonnold) on Nov 27, 2019 at 9:12pm PST