American Climbing Icon Brad Gobright Dies After Falling 985 feet In Mexico

Renowned American rock climbing icon Brad Gobright has died following an accident in Northern Mexico. On Wednesday, the 31-year-old free solo climber succumbed to his injuries after falling nearly 985 feet.

Gobright's body was retrieved on Thursday. His climbing partner, Aidan Jacobson, is being treated for injuries to his ankle and other parts of his body. The incident happened at Sendero Luminoso in El Potrero Chico, according to local news reports.

Initial investigation to the fall revealed that Gobright and Jacobson's rope got tangled up. A fellow climber and a friend of both athletes said that Aidan told him that their line got stuck, causing both of them to fall 20 to 30 feet to the ledge below.

Jacobson was lucky enough to crash into a bush, breaking his fall and stopping him from tumbling further down the ledge. In a report from CNN, Aidan told his friend that he saw Gobright go past him over the edge.

The U.S. State Department has confirmed the incident and Brad's death in El Potrero Chico, Mexico. The department issued a statement, offering their "sincerest condolences to his family on their loss."

It added that they would be closely monitoring the local authorities' investigation and would be providing consular assistance. Alex Honnold, a fellow American rock climbing icon, paid tribute to his friend in a post on a popular social media platform.

Honnold said in his message that Brad was "a warm, kind soul - one of a handful of partners that I always loved spending a day with." He added that "Brad was a real gem of a man. The climbing world lost a true light."

Alice Hafer, one of Gobright's climbing companions and friend, described her shock at the news of his death in Mexico. She said that Brad was "so supportive and encouraging, always pushing me harder and believing in me... I'll cherish those moments always."

Gobright became famous when he and Mason Earle executed the first free ascent of The Heart Route on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park in 2015. In 2016 he and Scott Bennett conquered Zodiac, The Nose, and Lurking Fear on El Capitan in 24 hours.

A year later, he set a speed record along with Jim Reynolds for the Nose on El Capitan, beating the course in just two hours and 19 minutes. In June this year, he made his second free ascent with Alex Honnold.