FATAL ACCIDENT OF FREE SOLO CLIMBER

[Anchor Lead]

The sport of free solo is a form of rock climbing that uses just your bare hands with no safety gear. It is incredibly dangerous and therefore controversial. Three days ago, a free solo climber in Korea fell to his death at Surisan Mountain in Gunpo.

[Pkg]

A rock formation at Surisan Mountain situated 20 meters above ground. In the morning of April 10, a 48 year old man fell from a 10 meter altitude. He was scaling the rocks with no safety gear. He was rushed to the hospital on a helicopter but passed away.

[Soundbite] (Fellow Climber) : "He was a passionate climber and I knew him well. It’s so sad. This should not have happened."

The man was a free solo climber who scales rocky mountains by himself with no ropes, helmet or safety gear. Free solo became widely known after a documentary film with that title won an Academy award in 2019. But the sport remains controversial due to its extreme danger. But others believe it should be respected especially for professionals who have undergone training.

[Soundbite] Kim Yong-gi(Former Prof., Korea Alpine Federation Education Institute) : "Those who like barehanded climbing highly value Free Solo but ordinary climbers don’t agree. It’s just too dangerous."

The police suspect the man missed his step and fell, while climbing down Maebawi or Hawk Rock of Surisan Mountain. To pay respects, fellow climbers are posting condolence messages on the victim’s YouTube channel.