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Top Russian BASE Jumper and Climber Dies

Valery Rozov died during a BASE jump on Ama Dablam this week. He was 52. The expert flyer and big-wall climber’s resume was stacked with first ascents and descents.

Mingma Gelu Sherpa, managing director at the Kathmandu-based Seven Summit Adventure, said: “The Russian extreme sports star died after crashing into a cliff while he jumped from the mountain in a wingsuit.”

Valery Rozov

In 2002, he visit Baffin Island in northern Canada and made the first ascent of a new route up Great Sail Peak. As part of a Russian team, Rozov climbed Rubikon, a 1,300-metre 5.11 A4.

In 2003, he visited Greenland and made the first ascent of One Way Ticket, a 20-pitch 5.11 A4. He then BASE jumped off.

Then in 2007, he visited Chile and climbed The Bonington/Willans up the Central Tower of Paine before jumping off. A few year later, he made the first jump off Ulvetanna in Antarctica.

As Planetmountain.com reports, in 2016, Rozov jumped from the top of Cho Oyu at 7,700 metres. He also jumped from Mont Blanc, Shivling, Huascaran and Kilimanjaro.

Red Bull released this statement after his death: “Those of us who had the honour to know him will remember Valery for his courage, his professionalism, his generosity and his modesty—always full of life and ideas.”

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