What sport was the British backpacker who died in Fansipan playing?

Some people criticized Aiden for being foolish for not having a support person or any equipment with him. However, that is the "rule" of a sport.

Recently, the story of British backpacker Aiden Webb who unfortunately died while conquering Fansipan peak has become a hot topic of discussion among young people. Some mourned, others blamed Aiden for being so foolish as not to have any support person with him, and not to bring any necessary items for a mountain climbing trip.

However, in reality, everyone knows that it is necessary to prepare carefully before climbing a mountain. As for Aiden, he did not do so because he chose to conquer the "roof of Indochina" with an extremely adventurous sport: free solo climbing.

Photos shared on Aiden's personal Facebook page show him playing Free soloing.

Free solo climbing - the sport of "gambling with death"

Free solo climbing (also known as free soloing) - this phrase is probably unfamiliar to many of us. It is not difficult to understand because even abroad, this sport is not popular, simply because it is too dangerous, dangerous to the point of... insanity.

It's dangerous right in the name. Free solo climbing - that is, climbing alone (solo), and climbing with... bare hands (free). This is a sport in which the player climbs without any support, including ropes, hooks, or other protective gear. Completely relying on one's own strength, along with a bag of magnesium powder to increase friction for the fingers.

Aiden with magnesium powder on his fingertips.

And as if to mock the regular climbers, free soloers often choose dangerous routes, higher than the safe height. That means just a small mistake and fall, the consequence will be death, or at least cause extremely serious injuries.

Being so dangerous, of course this is not a sport for the masses, and certainly not for novice climbers. Free soloing players need to have superior health, courage and determination. At the same time, they must have a high level of concentration, eliminating all distracting thoughts to reach the finish line.

Why is it dangerous but many people still do it?

Aiden Webb is just one of many cases of accidents due to this sport. In August 2014, Brad Parker - an American backpacker died after falling from a height of nearly 100m. Michael Ybarra - died while free soloing on Nevada Mountain in July 2012. Or Akihira Tawara - a Japanese backpacker also died from the same cause.

However, there are still many people who are passionate about free soloing even though they know that they can be friends with death at any time. Why is that?

Some players said they have their own goals. They are passionate about it because it is a very simple sport (dangerous, but it is simple), and the speed at which they conquer it. For example, Alex Honnold - who holds the record for conquering 678m of Haft Dome in just over 2 hours, while it normally takes several days. In addition, they like the feeling of excitement brought by adrenaline - a stimulating hormone produced by the body.

According to Jeremy Samson - an experienced South African climber: "Free soloing is a way to remove the ripples in your thoughts, and free your soul. The reward of the journey will be the ability to resist fear and anxiety in your mind.".

According to Adnan Awad - a long-time free soloer: "Climbing alone is a way for you to completely control your body, mind, and enjoy your own trip. The enjoyment can be interrupted by ropes and other safety equipment. They only bring insecurity."

Free soloing is, after all, just a sport, so whether or not to participate is up to each person. However, we still cannot deny the fact that this is a very dangerous sport, even for the most experienced and skilled climbers. In fact, Aiden himself is also an experienced climber.

Free soloing - a sport not for everyone. Think carefully if you want to get into this sport, because as someone said: "Go to return, not to die".

Source: Outside, The Daily Beast