Dean Potter – on the line, solo at Taft Point
Photographer Jeff Cunningham <LINK> sent us these shots on Dean’s most recent solo walk at Taft Point in Yosemite.
In Jeff’s, words, “it was a beautiful day in Yosemite. Dean had a high line set up there that he measured as somewhere between 99 to 100 feet. He had walked the line leashed a few times when I saw him untying from the tether. I figured he was just taking a break. Instead, he stepped up to the line and started walking it with confidence and determination. It’s hard to imagine what it must feel like walking across a rope with over a thousand feet of air below, but it was obvious to me that Dean was exactly where he was supposed to be…”
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[...] Jeff Cunningham of Dean Potter’s recent solo highline work at Taft Point in Yosemite. The prAna blog has plenty more [...]
May 26th, 2009 at 4:42 am…I’m a climber and a huge fan of potter. been following his progresses for a long time…But this goes too far. People like this give the rest of us a really bad name. This is exactly why people die, and why many people say climbing and slack-lining is dangerous. It’s not dangerous at all….that is, if you exercise the proper safety measures. The pictures above display a perfect ignorance to these safety guidelines.
I hope he stays safe and gets back to his senses. I’d hate to add him to the list of once phenomenal climbers now dead due to stupidity.
May 26th, 2009 at 12:16 pmThere is no reason to untie yourself. Why the hell would someone do something like this unless they just wanted to die? And why did this have to be written as if he is some sort of great person? He is an idiot, that can happen to climb a rope.
May 26th, 2009 at 12:51 pmMans crazy,,,,, but you dont get anywhere without doin the extreme
May 26th, 2009 at 3:48 pmdustin, yikes and for all others like sharing your views: because people like you we can tell greatness from mediocrity.
May 26th, 2009 at 4:44 pmYou are crying your own incapacity to overcome your little people condition in the best classic way – trowing stones at those trying to push their limits whichever way they understand to do so. I pity you fools!
[...] More pics linked here [...]
May 26th, 2009 at 4:55 pmWow, this dude rocks!
May 26th, 2009 at 4:56 pmIt’s amazing when you look at the shadows, the sun is vertical for the man and behind the photographer for the rocks and the mountains in the background
May 26th, 2009 at 6:00 pmI’m all for pushing your limits, but this is a bit out there. The risk/reward seems to be skewed too much. I couldn’t slackline a 2X4 over a pothole so I might have no idea what I’m talking about here.
May 26th, 2009 at 6:30 pm“because people like you we can tell greatness from mediocrity.”
I’ll gladly take mediocrity over being dead. The stunt shown above is not an example of greatness. It’s just simple stupidity.
I don’t really know why you would pitty me….I’m still alive, well, and happy. I’d think about giving some of your pitty to those too stupid to take care of their own lives, and safety.
and finally, the dude’s got a wife. It’s one thing if you want to risk your life for a few moments of adrenaline, but when other people in this world depend on you and love you, there is absolutely no reason for you to throw your life away by engaging in such risky behavior. This stunt is immature at best, and very simply shows his disregard for life. Patagonia was right to drop him as an ambassador.
May 27th, 2009 at 10:18 amholy crap..this is amazingly terrifying. Is Mr. Dean a yogi? Surely he must have some intense ritual for focusing. wow.
May 27th, 2009 at 11:16 amWhile still involving a high element of danger, one has to keep in mind that many accomplished highline walkers rarely hit their leashes when falling. The majority of times people like Dean Potter fall off a slackline, they use their arms and legs to arrest their downward progress.
Silly for users like jck and yikes to comment on something they have no experience with.
Darrin Carter did the first leashless walk of the Lost Arrow spire in 1995. Others have walked it leashless since.
From an interview with Dean Potter:
Buildering.net: Regarding your tetherless high-lining, Chongo once said, “Dean’s a big strong guy. If he falls he’s going to grab onto that line, and there’s no way he’s letting go.”
Dean Potter: “That’s pretty much the truth of it. The slack-line is the biggest jug ever for a climber. It’s quite scary being out there unattached, but I feel quite confident that I can grab the line if I fall. I don’t grab it with my hands though, I grab it first with the back of my leg and then my hands. So it’s a whole body catch.
I practice it a ton, and that’s the only reason why I can go out there leashless.”
May 27th, 2009 at 2:25 pmI would like to see the RAW camera files. And where is the video?
May 28th, 2009 at 3:55 pmPotter is surely a great slackliner, no doubt about that, and he risks is life if he is happy too, nobodyelse buisness!
May 29th, 2009 at 2:17 ambut something looks wrong on these images??? it looks a bit fake, i hope not…
[...] Dean Potter highlines at Taft Point untethered [...]
May 29th, 2009 at 11:37 pmViewing the filesource it was clearly edited in Adobe Photoshop but that could be simply to crop or to convert to jpeg. EXIF data shows f2.8 which explains the difference in contrast between subject and background…depth of field plus a little Yo haze. I don’t think the shadows are inconsistent.
Pic #3 = a whole lot o’ HOLY CRAP! My palms are sweating just looking at it. I’m going to have nightmares tonight.
May 30th, 2009 at 10:27 am[...] noticed our most recent post on Dean’s freesolo at Taft Point <LINK> had a lot of readers concerned and a few skeptical. We asked Dean to share with us a little about [...]
June 1st, 2009 at 8:12 amThanks for the conversation. Since a lot of you were concerned about Dean’s freesolo, we asked him to share with us himself. Here are his thoughts and words: http://www.prana.com/blog/?p=1056
(And for those who are wondering about the validity of the photos, there is also a video from a prior freesolo).
June 1st, 2009 at 8:24 amWho is the guy in the background? The way he is standing there… so close to the edge… Scary shite!
June 1st, 2009 at 11:36 amChallenging yourself to a difficult goal makes life rewarding. This is just like climbing. Dean is at the point where his challenge is this, far above what many people consider reasonable. Props to Dean for pushing himself, and making a living, living his dreams.
June 1st, 2009 at 2:04 pm[...] Okaaaay http://www.prana.com/blog/?p=1014 [...]
June 2nd, 2009 at 7:50 amlook at his feet in the second pic – totally wrong – hummmm?
June 3rd, 2009 at 7:03 amYou guys realize he has soloed lines before. Just ’cause you dont read about his sh*t in “Urban Climber” or whatever doesnt mean this is a recent stunt that is somehow inappropriate.
Dean does all kinds of crazy stuff, half of it we probably will never know because he doesnt showboat and spray like most pro climbers. He does this stuff for himself, he doesnt have a child, or a wife as far as I know. Who is he responsible to other than himself?
The photographer was lucky to witness this, it was most likely just a highline shoot and Dean just took off his harness for a couple goes. He didnt die, so what is your problem?
Dan Osman died pushing himself similar to this, did he go too far? Did his death affect you? The process leading to his departure was probably the most beautiful and fulfilling thing in his life. Live and let live.
June 4th, 2009 at 1:25 pmMakes my palms sweat wow. Incredible pictures indeed.
June 5th, 2009 at 3:34 amAnyone that thinks that is photoshoped doesn’t know who Dean is or what he’s done. Ya’ll know about his solo’s in Patagonia, right? Cerro Torre, Fitzroy, yeah?
No surprise he unclipped. Just another free solo except this time on a highline.
June 6th, 2009 at 10:21 amHe wrote: “I’ll gladly take mediocrity over being dead. The stunt shown above is not an example of greatness. It’s just simple stupidity.
I don’t really know why you would pitty me….I’m still alive, well, and happy. I’d think about giving some of your pitty to those too stupid to take care of their own lives, and safety.
and finally, the dude’s got a wife. It’s one thing if you want to risk your life for a few moments of adrenaline, but when other people in this world depend on you and love you, there is absolutely no reason for you to throw your life away by engaging in such risky behavior. This stunt is immature at best, and very simply shows his disregard for life. Patagonia was right to drop him as an ambassador.”
————
Whoever wrote the above forgot to preface it with, “In my experience . . . ” Some people favor security and control over adventure and the unknown. Others are natural risk takers. Each orientation renders a different take on the world and on living, adding to the richness. Smearing security-minded folks is small minded, likewise dissing those who do what we are afraid to consider for “rational” reasons.
JL
June 6th, 2009 at 2:46 pmHey Largo, if his wife was anything like you, he’d probably never solo. I’m sure his wife got into the marriage knowing very well what makes Dean go. “This stunt is immature at best, and very simply shows his disregard for life.” What is immature about this? If he had never hopped on a line, yes this would be immature, hell STUPID. But he leads a very different life. Everything he knows and does in life helps him with moments like these. Most ‘normal 9-5′ people, are wired differently. It’s all perspective. Get off his case.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:59 pmHey James, Largo was quoting “Yikes” from above. Those are not his words. It’s ok, it’s hard to see who’s responding to what on this type of forum. Besides, do you know who you were talking to …*gasp*!
And in my own words: It seems to me that the more people know about slacklining, with or without a leash, or the more people personally know Dean, the less sh*t is being talked. It’s the absence of knowledge that creates the fear and sometimes anger. Which, I think, is true throughout life.
June 7th, 2009 at 11:09 pmYikes (see his comment above) is an idiot. If everyone were as narrow minded as he is, the world would still be flat, the Kitty Hawk would still just be a field, and the Grand Canyon would still be unmapped. He should definately preface every thing that comes out of his mouth with, “in my opinion” to avoid appearing like such a dolt. Dean Potter is an explorer and an artist and just like every other explorer and artist before him that pushed the limits of conventional wisdom he is controversial.
June 10th, 2009 at 8:04 pmDudes. Try, for just a minute, to imagine how awake and aware you must be to do what Potter has done here. There is zero room for your attention to be anywhere at all, except completely right there, right then. Imagine it, because it is unlikely you have experienced it. He is living, for that moment, Jerzy Kosinski’s acclamation: “Be here now.”
A problem with the internet is that it gives the illusion of showing something, without really being able to show it. This doesn’t show Potters LIFETIME of tuning himself to be able to do this, nor the specific skills he has invented, nor the earlier trips, with a leash, across this line. That is a limitation of the medium.
Take from this just the knowledge that it has been done, and think about that. You don’t have to do it yourselves, but now, you can, if you wish, imagine what it might be like to be that completely present in your own life for a few moments. Then you can go back to whatever else it is that you do.
Cheers.
P.S. Idiots like the guy responding to Largo should be ignored. They are a time suck that takes everyone away from any other useful activity in life.
June 11th, 2009 at 4:45 pmWell said “The Internet”. If you people want to be safe, stay at home and watch TV. There is no “risk” if you are in control.
June 11th, 2009 at 5:24 pmPotter is my favorite climber and Prana should be proud of supporting him.
Potter has sadly always seemed to be missing the essence, and the second picture sums it up – he lacks grace. On the verge of tumbling into the abyss. Whether soloing, mountaineering, etc. the stunt aspect always seems foremost. Gee, a photograper just happened to be there? Desperate for publicity as always, pandering to a new sponsor, there seems to be a core identity missing in him. People found out about Croft and his genius, whereas Potter always seems to have alerted an agent beforehand. As to his “guru” status, well, in the film on the Huber brothers his rambling incoherent “zen master” philosophy makes Carlos Casteneda sound like the Dali Lama. I know I will get ragged, but behind-the-scenes tales of Dean and his wife Steph Davis (who I used to know as a reasonable grad student at CSU) portray them both as increasingly arrogant, condescending to the inferiors who get in their way while attempting various projects, presuming they should automatically live a la “Ayn Rand” b.s. , ie as superior beings they get to make their own rules, and screw everyone else.
June 17th, 2009 at 5:26 pmBlack Diamond surely dumped him just for the bad P.R. his Delicate Arch stunt bought them, but it really irks me to see he’s still getting money for his crap. Tommy C. and Beth – really nice genuine kids, and both happen to be doing more interesting things, because they apparently love climbing.
Deans story only points out how money, sponsors, etc so easily poison the pure endeavors. If you want to do it, OK, just DON’T tell anybody, and only then will you get to gaze deep into your own true self; see if you can resist the temptation.
It people like you,,that should stay home and kint pot holder’s.. stay on the 5.2 kid wall. At the fair. dean is one bad ass climber. have a nice day.
June 19th, 2009 at 11:49 amThat means you, yikes
June 19th, 2009 at 1:32 pmLet me say this, people have been doing what they want for years. things they love . Don’t be a mommy…..yikes
June 19th, 2009 at 1:36 pmit is obvious that all you doubters are jealous! dean is a great man and his wife backs him up
September 14th, 2009 at 7:09 pmthe photos are not doctored! that is exactly what the 13 year olds say about dan osman on youtube
there really are people this awesome in the world!
The thing is; he is doing what he desires to do, lives for and is willing to die for. I respect him greatly. If you don’t like it dont read it. His wife clearly understood who he was when she married him and accepted that he is high risk, so leave his family out of it. In this world full of sh!t there are somethings that keep some us sane. If you don’t understand it don’t knock it. In a world of messed up sports figures I find it amazing that you would knock this guy. We have football players mutilate dogs and are rewarded for it, we have baseball stars beat their wives and are excepted for it…..etc etc….
If you have a problem with this deans beahvior you are clearly in the wrong sport.
All climbing is inherently dangerous and perception of the danger is a reality, this reality keeps some of us sane in an insane world. -DFialko-
September 15th, 2009 at 10:45 amI am far more inspired by Sharma than Potter.
November 17th, 2009 at 6:26 pmDidn’t mean to call Largo out like that, it was supposed to be ‘yikes’!
January 9th, 2010 at 4:11 pmI just think that if he wanted to die, he’d probably just shoot himself, or just jump to to his death.
Everyone that have never even climbed solo has no idea what soloing is about. It’s all about mental power and centering. Nothing that everyone can do at that level. All my respects to Mr Potter
January 31st, 2010 at 9:47 pmThis is a great challenge to be happy alive. Something that Mr Potter obviously did not master yet.
March 1st, 2010 at 9:26 amHe’ll keep pushing it until he dies.
March 1st, 2010 at 3:51 pmThen people will say:
He died doing something he loved.
The end.
I’ve seen it many times.
He’s dead already.
i can’t believe this how can somebody walk so much high… he is great man
March 1st, 2010 at 9:17 pm[...] Dear Potter on Taft Point: Source Link [...]
March 2nd, 2010 at 1:06 pmThis is really bad, unbelievably hoaxy Photoslop fodder. I am an image manipulator by trade, and this is clearly staged and layered. If you know as much about depth perception, perspective and lighting as I do, you could see this is clearly Photoslop. Okay for a kid in school. But amateur by professional standards.
March 2nd, 2010 at 5:55 pm@Stephen, Dean does slacklines like this all the time. Check this out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6MtzvQ5hZ8
March 3rd, 2010 at 2:43 pm[...] A caminhada de Dean Potter na em Taft Point, em Yosemite. [Mais] [...]
March 3rd, 2010 at 6:05 pmyikes: “I’ll gladly take mediocrity over being dead. The stunt shown above is not an example of greatness. It’s just simple stupidity.”
yikes, that’s why you or your name will never be remembered. you can’t even recognize greatness. man up kid
March 3rd, 2010 at 8:02 pmI agree with everything “Old Coot” said.
March 4th, 2010 at 5:12 pmDean your scaring your mother!
March 4th, 2010 at 10:35 pmShe doesnt even like my flying machine!
wow
[...] Duarte Source: Auto Photo Source: Li Wei Art Source: Ball of City Source: Dali Building Source: Dean Potter Source: Headless Horse Source: Ice Cream Source: Jumping Source: Life Creations Source: Lorenia [...]
March 6th, 2010 at 11:52 amI’m sorry as much as someone would have us believe this is not fake … I don’t know .. I can’t help believing that it is just not real.
Celebrate Life ‘In The Flesh’
March 7th, 2010 at 4:23 pmLorrette
@Caleb http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6MtzvQ5hZ8
March 8th, 2010 at 10:37 amA little darwinism will soon take care of this idiot.
March 9th, 2010 at 3:13 pm[...] Dean Potter’s most recent solo walk at Taft Point in Yosemite by Photographer Jeff Cunningham. (Link) [...]
March 11th, 2010 at 4:18 am[...] Caminata de la muerte realizada por Dean Potter en Taft Point en Yosemite tomada por el fotografo Jeff Cunningham. (Liga) [...]
March 14th, 2010 at 2:18 pmLet me start out with, I’m not the type of person who usually has much to say about “what people do or believe in” as long as it doesn’t change or damage the world we live in. Mostly because I realize the depth of my words and actions.
March 25th, 2010 at 5:36 amMany people often change the course of their lives and others with simple miss-placed words and actions.
I feel Dean Potter is searching for what he feels is clean, pure, steady and free of restraint. Although the way he chooses to express his vision may seem miss-placed to others; he is without a doubt is dedicated and inspiring.
Before, I would chastise someone for showing such a remarkable belief in himself without changing or damaging the world we live in. I would think about the effect and what I would do to prevent the wrong reaction. Unless you would prefer to continue to repeat history?
@Tom Once A rock Rat Too
Thank you for your post.
March 25th, 2010 at 2:11 pm[...] View more at Prana Tagged as: slackline, yosemite Leave a comment Comments (0) Trackbacks (0) ( subscribe to comments on this post ) [...]
March 26th, 2010 at 6:44 am[...] Dean Potter’s most recent solo walk at Taft Point in Yosemite by Photographer Jeff Cunningham. (Link) [...]
March 29th, 2010 at 11:01 amThis guy is CRAZY!! but that doesn’t make him a idiot. It makes him unique, if he enjoys what he is doing then who are any of us to to degrade him? Perhaps he will die from performing this stunt, how many of you whiners will die from lung disease due to cigarette smoke? I myself would rather fall off a cliff then die making some tobacco company rich.
April 1st, 2010 at 11:21 pm@mtlhed69 Thanks for the post!
April 5th, 2010 at 5:34 pmI find it quite amusing that some people’s ego’s or fears can completely restrict them from acknowledging others accomplishments. “What an idiot!” “That’s easy.” “If I had his skills I could too…”
April 8th, 2010 at 3:10 amconfidence and enlightenment are often diametrically opposing concepts.
April 8th, 2010 at 11:09 am[...] Dean Potter’s most recent solo walk at Taft Point in Yosemite by Photographer Jeff Cunningham. (Link) [...]
April 8th, 2010 at 5:49 pm[...] Dean Potter [...]
May 5th, 2010 at 8:01 am[...] That`s from his free solo walk in Taft Point, Yosemite – you can read more about it on the prAna blog or see all the photos here. [...]
May 7th, 2010 at 3:00 amThis reminds me of the documentary “Man On Wire.” If you haven’t seen it, you HAVE TO!
May 7th, 2010 at 1:56 pmIt’s streaming on netflix.
[...] Dean Potter’s most recent solo walk at Taft Point in Yosemite by Photographer Jeff Cunningham. (Link) [...]
May 8th, 2010 at 5:56 am[...] Dean Potter – on the line, solo at Taft Point [...]
May 14th, 2010 at 6:09 am[...] Dean Potter – on the line, solo at Taft Point [...]
May 14th, 2010 at 12:58 pmGET IMAX TO FOLLOW HIM ON A CLIMB OR HIGHLINE WALK!
May 24th, 2010 at 7:34 am@Awesome!! Great idea!
May 24th, 2010 at 5:00 pmmehh, why are people here whining over such an awesome stunt and wonderouss practice… I’m amazed and glad to see Dean doing something like this as it’s surley a challenging and rewardin experience, centering, focusing et all as you said.. awesome photos give me the cringers, man
i hope it don’t blow to much wind there.. the only thing i find a bit strange is the man’s choice of wear, looks like the end of his pants would be bothering with his feet now and then ?
thanks for the great pictures..
May 28th, 2010 at 4:57 am[...] Dean Potter – on the line, solo at Taft Point [...]
May 30th, 2010 at 8:53 am[...] ar -stuntman) 2. Wanita berimej dua. (Guna Cermin Je) 3. Budak makan awan. (Angel shot) 4. Mamat jalan atas tali yang tinggi giler! (Mamat ni memang suka panjat2 dan tempat tinggi) 5. Gadis tidur atas awan. (takde trick. Gi [...]
May 31st, 2010 at 12:56 amI cannot believe I read so many negative responces here. Dean does what he wants to do and needs to do and CAN do. How could this affect negatively ANYBODY? It can only inspire…It’s not about how dangerous the things he does are, it’s about how powerful they are…It’s the inside drive and power of a person that set his limits and also creates this constant need to push them…. The more intelligent, creative, strong and hard-working and brave a person is…the more he wants from himself. If you cannot feel this and understand it and appreciate it, then you’re into climing or any other extreme sport for show and you should stop doing it, because you may get HURT…
May 31st, 2010 at 9:42 amI am very inspired by Dean and most of the other top climbers in the world. I was happy to see how intuitive and natural and driven from the inside these poeple are….also curious and creative…which for me is the driving force of learning anything. Moreover, they are amazing athletes and…talented, great minds…So if Dean or anybody of the other guys and girls out there who push the limits has decided that he is ready to do something that nobody else has the talent or the strength to try, I can be only inspired. If this somehow scares me, it should stay the problem of my little square scared soul, it should not be their problem….
You are extra ordinary. Can you tell me how you do that? Maybe it’s your talent and I’m amaze at hoe you control yourself. I think you’re a well-disciplined individual.
May 31st, 2010 at 7:12 pmsuch a daredevil…
June 3rd, 2010 at 1:03 am@Pusparaj Check out Dean’s new video http://vimeo.com/12031243
June 3rd, 2010 at 4:29 pmThe vast majority of people will never understand that greatness comes from those who are willing to do what others cannot even imagine. Is Dean crazy? Just because it would be crazy for YOU to do this, does not mean it is crazy for him. So what if he could get killed? Is he endangering anybody else? Not really sure how this gives anybody a “bad name” except in the minds of those small people who think we all have an obligation to behave in exactly the same manner as the least capable among us. What you see above is the purest exercise of freedom possible. Get over yourself. Go Dean!!
June 25th, 2010 at 10:37 am@Jim Thanks for insightful comment!
June 28th, 2010 at 12:42 pmWe can all make choices, that is called Freedom! If you are determined to do it as long as there is no risk involving other people it is a legitimate choice!
June 29th, 2010 at 11:36 pmJim – it’s what he wants, okay.
June 30th, 2010 at 7:33 amBUT: Why on earth should it be a sign of GREATNESS to risk your life? Not out of necessity, not to help someone, but just like that?
Personally, I find it sad that somebody feels the necessity to risk his life because he can’t find enough challenge in life as such.
what ever “yikes”, dean potter is a bad ass. This is sick, and and as an avid climber i can say that climbing is dangerous. Have you ever seen Committed Volume one? those guys are some of the best yet even with their expertise they still take wicked falls. Man, Dean is displaying freedom here, and he is feeling a rush you or i cant even imagine. Its real f-ing lame to bash on that.
July 3rd, 2010 at 9:01 pmcraaaaaaaaaaaaaaazy!!!
July 4th, 2010 at 7:19 amWe know right?! Check out Deans video Dolage http://vimeo.com/12031243
July 4th, 2010 at 10:17 amThe problem with our society is people have put living for its own sake on a pedestle. It reminds me of Gulliver’s Travels, all the crippled, weak, blind people who will “never die” and think Gulliver is stupid for not drinking the water and joining them.
This is not stupid. The value of risks and rewards is entirely subjective, so what ever an individual determines for themselves is right. He decided that the thrill of walking the rope outweighed the risk of death. There is no scientific objective value for the “thrill” or for the “risk” so saying it is “stupid” is imposing your own subjective values on to him.
July 6th, 2010 at 11:32 pm@asrellim Thanks for your comments.
July 7th, 2010 at 3:31 pmFor someone who has his amount of experience, this is not that big of a feat. Even if he fell he would easily catch himself and could either get back up or hand-over-hand to the end of the rope. This is not a big deal. What is a big deal is his how he tarnished his image by climbing Delicate Arch and that Prana still supports him financially after such a selfish venture.
July 8th, 2010 at 7:21 amwell, at first I thought this was simply total stupidity at action. It’s my conviction that people that undertake extreme risks with absolutely no level of situational control, for no reason other than to look cool are simply idiots. But after reading that the guy has the solid ability to catch the rope if he loses balance, then everything changed. It’s really not the case with him. His skills matches up the risk…maybe there are activities ordinary people engage without being concerned with the risks envolved, that are more probable of going wrong than Dean’s stunt.
July 14th, 2010 at 9:00 pmThanks for the post PAPA!
July 19th, 2010 at 1:30 pmwow,,this is awesome!! unbelievable thing (for me) Dean had done!! *speechless*
July 28th, 2010 at 12:08 am[...] Dean Potter’s most recent solo walk at Taft Point in Yosemite by Photographer Jeff Cunningham. (Link) [...]
September 7th, 2010 at 1:33 amsimply beautifull and pure zen!!!!! a great expression of humanity. CONFIDENCE, MEDITATION, NATURE AND MARTIAL ARTS OVER THE VOID.
September 7th, 2010 at 10:08 amall the people that said it was stupid, its just because u are reflecting your own stupidity, ignorance and incompetence in the WORLD OF UNKNOWN. the slack line is just analog to the trust you have in yourself and life.
@Maya Dean’s perspective on life, risk and dedication differ so vastly from many people that it never ceases to amaze us how polarizing his actions can often be. Thank you for your comment.
September 8th, 2010 at 9:33 am[...] Link [...]
September 8th, 2010 at 10:16 am[...] [...]
September 16th, 2010 at 11:19 pmWOW… crazy, amazing, ballsy… true raw-skill & talent, etc., etc. Also a STUPID “example” to set for the countless youth [with developing skills but no less testosterone etc., etc. ] who may try to repeat or knock this off one better. As a 44 yr. old (still going on 25) I can associate to the pros of this entirely. In my late teens and early 20’s I did shit like this, on snow, rock & ice, before they called it “extreme” (…then they did just call us stupid). By 21 I had lost 9 of my friends; not all to this kind of needless risk-taking but DEAD nonetheless. All well prior to the reach and influence of YouTube, Blogs, FB or the entire WWW for that matter. Looking back (which I hope DP is able to do one day) the cons are now far more clear.
October 6th, 2010 at 3:11 pm@River Thanks for the comment as your point is well taken. We often think that Dean should have a t-shirt that reads “Don’t Try This At Home” when he is on the high-line. Dean is a polarizing personality for sure. There are those who admire his abilities and drive and those who think he is… well crazy. There is an interesting letter from Dean from his point of view that you may want to check out http://www.prana.com/blog/index.php/2009/06/01/from-dean-potter-about-freesolo/
October 8th, 2010 at 8:38 am[...] 迪安·波特最近一次在加州约塞米蒂公园的塔夫脱点的独立行走，由摄影师杰夫·坎宁安拍摄。（链接） [...]
October 16th, 2010 at 11:27 pmIf only parachuting was allowed in the park Dean could have been wearing his BASE rig for back up. The parks rules are unjust, to allow climbers to do what ever they want, and to ban other sports.
October 31st, 2010 at 1:49 pm@Chris It is a complicated issue and we hope that both BASE jumpers and the Rangers come to a mutually acceptable point in the very near future.
November 1st, 2010 at 10:23 am[...] Dean Potter à récemment marché 100 pieds sur une corde perché à 1 000 pieds au dessus du sol à Yosemite National Park. aparemment, il l’aurait fait tout en étant attaché quelques fois et là il a décidé de le faire en solo – sans harnais, ni contre-assuré, sans seconde chance ! Est-ce stupide ? Est-ce sublime ? Je ne sais pas mais après avoir regardé des vidéos de yogaslackers, je me rend bien compte que nous pouvons bien contrôler notre équilibre. Vous trouverez plus d’informations et de photos sur prAna blog. [...]
November 2nd, 2010 at 6:12 amWhat a fine attempt at trying to quantify the accomplishments that Dean Potter has achieved by so many individuals. To concentrate on anything other than what he is capable of, and the brilliance of his skill level is on a lower plane of thought. Do not tread on an individual anywhere while being conscious of your level, not excluding ideals and your viewpoints in particular. Some of us are baseless in the very instant a thought becomes a process. It may be better for some of us to practice restraint. Save your response long enough to allow for the process of articulation and reason to properly form, then, think again to apply something that is less subjective and isolated. Keeping in mind this is a blog, add what you will. What you blog is a response we can all use for the purpose of understanding culture if nothing else. It is very simple, in allowing your self to conceive of DP expanding this threshold and possessing the ability to experience a higher level.
November 3rd, 2010 at 5:11 pmAwsome and not photoshopped. Where were the cameras and photographers of this quality in 1950. My father did a similar feat that year although he walked on a slack wire vs tight rope, removed his clothing and other activities to throw his balance off, all while being up 1100 ft with only air below. Seeing these pictures is awesome and I truly appreciate viewing them!
November 5th, 2010 at 10:36 pm[...] Dean Potter – on the line, solo at Taft Point [...]
November 25th, 2010 at 1:11 amchampion media whore… why is this guy still alive and mugs/derek/michael dead?
December 3rd, 2010 at 9:19 amWhile I think the photo is great and just makes my stomach drop, this pales in comparison to some of Potter’s free solos. Slacklining, even without a rope, is about a 5.2 compared to some of the massive and extremely difficult free solos that he’s done. Not sure why everyone is so up in arms about this in particular.
December 3rd, 2010 at 10:30 amI love how the meek and simple minded people are unable to comprehend the greatness of dean potter by talking and putting him down. Keep doing what you do Potter, blessings.
December 15th, 2010 at 3:31 pm@nikdawg Dean is often misunderstood but his drive, ambition and sheer talent separate him from many of his detractors. You can see more about him at http://www.youtube.com/user/PranaCollective
December 16th, 2010 at 2:11 pm[...] #2. Dean Potter – On the line solo, at Taft Point [...]
December 29th, 2010 at 10:46 amWell everyone has to die sometime and I think it’s elegant to choose one’s time rather than just wait for the reaper. But then again Potter is a young man and life is a gift that should be respected.
January 3rd, 2011 at 1:59 pmPerhaps tethering in and then pretending that he’s soloing would be a good use of his imagination until it’s time for him to give up the ghost.
[...] (via the prAna blog) [...]
January 3rd, 2011 at 8:10 pm[...] (via the prAna blog) [...]
January 3rd, 2011 at 8:17 pm[...] Dean Potter’s most recent solo walk at Taft Point in Yosemite by Photographer Jeff Cunningham. (Link) [...]
February 11th, 2011 at 3:04 pmrespekt!!!
February 17th, 2011 at 12:22 pmDean is definitely one of a kind pavelas. Check out his videos at http://vimeo.com/channels/prana#12031243 and http://www.youtube.com/user/PranaCollective?feature=mhum#p/u/22/O4rgMyThtWI
February 17th, 2011 at 3:11 pmBeing an ignorant moron doesn’t make him an awesome person. I’ve been climbing the majority of my life and had many bad falls where my lines saved me. This guy is asking to die, there’s no reason not to be harnessed in. He gains nothing from not being safe but absolute terror when his foot starts to slip. Be more safe!!
April 5th, 2011 at 9:31 pmI feel bad for the people who pretend to be concerned for Dean Potter’s safety just so they can vent out their negativity.
May 7th, 2011 at 1:25 pm[...] rock-climber Dean Potter, relaxing at Yosemite. Posted by Malcolm on at 3:55 pm, filed under Sport. RSS feed for this post. Trackbacks are [...]
May 19th, 2011 at 1:55 pmIf prAna has any fraggin’ brains, they’ll edit this article to reflect their commitment to the safety and well-being of their customers by including a disclaimer. Here, I’ll do the work and write it for you:
***PERFORMED BY A TRAINED PROFESSIONAL, DO NOT ATTEMPT***
***ALWAYS EXERCISE CAUTION, CLIMB WITHIN YOUR LIMITS***
Obviously, educated climbers with any common sense know never to try this and will climb within their limits… still doesn’t forgive that fact that you forgot (or worse, have no regard) for your customer’s safety. I think without stating this you’re promoting recklessness, which I imagine is why other outfitters dropped him. Come on guys, really?
June 26th, 2011 at 4:34 pm@Joseph There has been, and probably will be, lots of discussion about Dean and his philosophy. Much of this sentiment carries over to no only highlining and free soloing, but any activities that involve high degrees of risk. The action sports industry and the extreme sports world see this on a regular basis. That said your point is well taken and because we try to make a habit of listening to our customers, We will add your disclaimer to the post and thank you for taking the time to tell us your thoughts!
July 5th, 2011 at 9:34 am[...] Dean Potter – on String [...]
July 15th, 2011 at 9:32 am[...] Dean Potter – on the line, solo at Taft Point [...]
August 1st, 2011 at 9:53 amIsn’t it always the way with greatness. People who do something that other people can not understand (or lets be honest here, know deep down that they could never do) always have to bag on it.
This man is not putting anyone else’s life in danger except his own. He is doing it to find his own little piece of Nirvana. Like the first free solo climbers were called crazy when they took off the lines, Dean is a balls first pioneer.
If you want to know why he does it, look into the eyes into a person who has just slack-lined with a tether, or someone who has done it at 3 foot high, and then look into Dean’s eyes when he has finished a 3,000ft with no lines, and you will understand. Just do your best to hide your jealousy, and shake the man’s hand
August 8th, 2011 at 6:59 pm[...] Dean Potter – on the line, solo at Taft Point [...]
August 15th, 2011 at 9:01 am“Dan Osman died pushing himself similar to this, did he go too far? Did his death affect you? The process leading to his departure was probably the most beautiful and fulfilling thing in his life. Live and let live.”
Of all the comments, this one cracked me up. Shouldn’t the last line be, “Die and let die’?
August 17th, 2011 at 11:12 am[...] 15 Coolest Photos not Believe Photoshop Tagged with: 15 Coolest Photos not Believe Photoshop Dean Potter’s most recent solo walk at Taft Point in Yosemite by Photographer Jeff Cunningham. (Link) [...]
October 15th, 2011 at 9:44 pm[...] Dean Potter’s solo walk at Taft Point in Yosemite by Photographer Jeff Cunningham. Amazing Tight rope walk. (Link ) [...]
December 4th, 2011 at 9:36 amUsed to really love this guy, but he’s passing this walk off like he did it with no safety lines. Check out this video, Opps you forgot to take the safety lines out of the shadows at 1:34. FAKE!!!!!!!
December 20th, 2011 at 1:04 amhttp://www.thepostgame.com/blog/clip-board/201112/heart-racing-highliner-will-leave-you-breathless
Toronto Naturopathic Services…
[...]prAna blog » Dean Potter – on the line, solo at Taft Point[...]…
January 10th, 2012 at 10:24 am[...] sur un sommet nommé Taft Pointen Yosemite. Photo prise par le photographe Jeff Cunningham. (Link 1 | Link [...]
January 16th, 2012 at 5:27 am[...] Sore kemarin saya membawa teman teman dari Patroli Laut KN.330 Batam berkeliling ke pantai, di pantai kami mengambil buah kelapa dan saya mengambil sebuah foto tanpa sengaja…Pemanjat Pohon Tanpa Kepala! Tapi sebelum melihat foto tersebut, saya ingin menampilkan yang ini. Dean Potter berjalan di seutas tali(link) [...]
January 21st, 2012 at 12:08 amThe comments here don’t seem to analyze this stunt properly, perhaps because it is so emotionally challenging, and because commenters’ awareness of and appreciation of his highly trained skills varies.
But the fact is surely that he risks death, and the risk is greater than zero, whatever the level of his skill, because some mishap of mental, physical or internal physiological performance is always possible, given that our bodies are not unvarying machines. So given the non zero risk of an unfortunate outcome, there is the possibility of Dean Potter’s brave adventure slipping out of control and ending his life with a gruesome splatter when his body meets rock thousands of feet below.
But this possibility is surely very small, given that good tightrope walkers can cook scrambled eggs on a stove and eat them high above Niagara Falls, as was done many years ago. It seems possible that the risk for Potter may not be greater than for the average senior citizen crossing the street.
The rest is imagination, which terrifies the couch potatoes here but doesn’t trouble the highly experienced. Would the naysayers object to setting up a video of their grandfather crossing a busy intersection? Presumably not. They wouldn’t even watch it.
That said, it does seem that the possibility of error is what charges Potter and sends his adrenaline pumping and his emotions sky high into the sublime, as his level of control has to be total at all times. That the possibility of error should be his ticket to ecstatic nirvana seems a little crazy by definition, since there are other ways of achieving it in life, such as doing really good and focused thinking on some constructive topic which will advance human understanding and happiness in some way, rather than just amaze them with the extent to which one human can push the edge solo.
On the other hand, so much of what fills human minds these days is fairly out of touch with reality, including most of what is written on the Web, and at least Potter is not ruining half the homesteads in America by pursuing fantasy for selfish gain, like the crooks of Wall Street. He is just showing the amazing edge of what can be done if you develop enough skill and control, just as the guys who loop the loop on crossed skis as they jump over snow.
In other words, he is achieving Nirvana his way, educating and amazing us in the process, teaching us that things we thought inconceivably dangerous can be controlled, and all at a very small risk possibly no greater than dying by kitchen fire.
The only thing one hopes for is that as his powers decline with age he will have the sense to stop before the risk expands too much.
February 13th, 2012 at 10:01 am@AnthonlyL Thanks for your in depth comment and we agree there is often much more than most folks realize. Dean definitely takes risks as do many who “walk the line” in extreme activities.
February 14th, 2012 at 5:34 pm[...] Dean Potter’s solo walk at Taft Point in Yosemite, California. Photographer: Jeff Cunningham (Link) [...]
February 21st, 2012 at 4:41 amsuch an amazing guy who could have done that really amazing..
March 15th, 2012 at 3:43 amLast summer our family group came upon a person on a line over a chasm as we were strolling to Taft Point. It completely shattered the peaceful tranquil experience I was having. I firmly believe everyone has a right to experience this National Treasure anyway they like as long as it doesn’t damage it, but if it impinges on the experience of others, possibly it could be done in a less exposed location.
May 4th, 2012 at 11:17 am