Comments on: From Dean Potter, about Freesolo …

By: Elmer Provino

Elmer Provino — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:52:49 +0000

Hey would you mind letting me know which web host you’re using? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most. Can you suggest a good web hosting provider at a honest price? Thanks a lot, I appreciate it!

By: Sam Riggs

Sam Riggs — Thu, 05 May 2011 15:48:27 +0000

Very interesting. I’ll confess straight away, I’m a newb, barely done any climbing, and certainly no slacklining yet….one day though, looks fun ! On the other hand, I’ll not allow myself to be offended if someone thinks me naive or arrogant, just because I have a strongly held opinion, seemingly with no experience. Yes, many ‘masters’ are very intriguing….but most would admit, the term ‘master’ is missing the mark. You can master almost nothing. To think that a person can be so knowledgable as to completely absorb and conquer all knowledge in a certain area, and then to also be fully in control of the environment around you, or to be impervious to influences, etc…..absolute childishness. A random, spontaneous muscle spasm, a bug skipping across your face, one could be so focused to then experience themselves remembering those types of things take all ‘master wannabes’ right back to their butt……Many great warriors have commented, “as soon as you think your invincible, your demise is a split second away”. Many great warriors practice with wood swords, and wear armor when it’s time to be serious. For those who think this may be an issue of something missing in a persons life or psyche, etc…..maybe it’s the analogy that some folks don’t get the adrenaline pumping with the same level as is normal….they ‘need’ to go huge to trigger it. I’d think, if someone thinks there’s such great destiny to be strived for, consider the author of an existence in which destiny would be relevant. (without God, concepts of destiny wouldn’t exist) I personally would think God would like to ask why your living your life sooooo focused as to skip the simple step of giving yourself some backup. What a tragic waste of being soooooo educated in your project. Your handling this like recklessness is the deep secret within, masked by knowledge. If your so knowledgable, backup doesn’t have to be a hassle……if it is, evolve it ! With great power comes great responsibility. Yeah, it’s your life…….think so ? You didn’t create yourself………be a good steward…..who knows…..what if your asked to pay it back ? In conclusion—-yes, I’m being a little judgmental. I don’t think it”s too wrong, as I believe we’re supposed to ‘be careful in the measure you judge….for you’ll be judged by the same measure’. I’m a huge chicken…..I do enjoy risk though…….I often calculate my risks, and am largely sure of my knowledge. But as a big scaredy cat, my backup helps ease my nerves.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 06:44:13 +0000

I’ve seen the ‘Skywalker’ documentary, and am so amazed I hardly know what to say. My impression of Dean Potter is that he’s an intense, exceptionally thoughtful person who is doing exactly what he wants to do, and as safely as such inherently hazardous activiities can be done. FWIW, I also find him honest and very likeable.

My concern is that Dean is DRIVEN, as he says himself, to take these great risks. He HAS to do it, in order to (it appears) feel fully alive. That’s the part that scares me the most. If we’re risking our lives because we are firefighters, for example, there’s a higher purpose in what we do. If we’re driven to risk our lives because we’re overwhelmed by inner deadness and depression if we don’t, then something isn’t right. And understanding those inner issues might be a lot more beneficial than perfecting our slacklining. Dean Potter is certainly not stupid, and I’ll take him at his word when he says he does not want to die. But I hope that one day, he will do whatever he does out of contentment and enjoyment, not compulsion.

By: Dean Potter slacklining | Slackline Kit

Dean Potter slacklining | Slackline Kit — Fri, 07 May 2010 08:29:49 +0000

[...] from his free solo walk in Taft Point, Yosemite – you can read more about it on the prAna blog or see all the photos [...]

By: Freddy

Freddy — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 23:59:15 +0000

Por nada Bro, saludos from Venezuela, Huges for you.

By: andre@prana

andre@prana — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 00:32:42 +0000

@Freddy Thank you for the post!

By: Freddy

Freddy — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 14:16:54 +0000

I was reading the article and I have been following the Dean’s exploits for long time. Dean, you don’t need to explain nothing, is your life and you have the right to make that you want. Is sure that many people follow you as the same manner follow politicians, army troops, artist and whatever. Sp keep on the path because is the inner search that’s is behind to the highlining, or climbing or surfing or any kind of “extreme” sport. Life or death is not important if you don’t try the best, if you don’t look inside and try to beat your fears. Absolutely amazing dude!!!! . My respect.

By: Roger

Roger — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 02:23:58 +0000

I know nothing of rope walking at all – but on the TV show about him, when he gets to the end of his “unleashed” walk at Yosemite, you can clearly (albeit briefly – be ready to hit pause) see the shadow of the safety leash on the rocks, although he is apparently not supposed to be wearing one, and does not appear to be when you see him pictured full length walking on the rope. I smell a rat – this sort of thing is done in the movies all the time to get rid of wires, flying rigs etc. I guess someone forgot to erase the shadow. Doh!

By: Zachary Romriell

Zachary Romriell — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:34:02 +0000

I heard that he was to eager do a Home and Away appearence! :O. Not sure how true this is, has anyone else heard it? There’s a part of me that kind of hopes this is not true lol.

By: sarek

sarek — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 11:14:09 +0000

i dont feel that this amsteel powerline is that safe dean try to tell us
its ridicilous tight and the shock load on the anchors therefore too

another thing behind this really stunning freesolos is the question for the “root” causes to do
-fear-fear-fear-….
i am now into psychology studies and also for example borderline syndrom things
(and by the knowledge of myself)
believe me its the lack of deep inner love, self-confidence, lack of emotional stability, stable partnership, family….. (things which given in our young childhood by your parents or not) which forces to extrem sport…..
its not a big harmony or mastership … or whatelse
its an neverending chase, escape to numb the fear, the inner war

amen