Dan Osman
Encyclopedia
Daniel Eugene Osman was an American extreme sport
practitioner, known for the dangerous sports of "free-soloing" (rock climbing without ropes or other safety gear); and "rope jumping" (falling several hundred feet from a cliff then being caught by a safety rope), for which his record was over 1000 feet/300 meters. He was known for living a bohemian lifestyle
, rarely working, and living in a tree house for months at a time. He was the star of several rock climbing videos, which brought free-soloing to a wider audience. Dan had one daughter.
rock formation in Yosemite National Park
. Osman had come back to Yosemite to dismantle the jump tower but apparently decided to make several jumps (over a few days) before doing so. The failure was investigated by the National Park Service with assistance from Chris Harmston, Quality Assurance Manager at Black Diamond Equipment. Harmston concluded that a change in jump site angle probably caused the ropes to cross and entangle, leading to the rope cutting by melting. Miles Daisher, who was with Osman when he made the jump, stated that the ropes used in his fatal jump had been exposed to inclement weather — including rain and snow — for more than a month before the fatal jump, but that the same ropes were used for several shorter jumps on the previous and same day.
Extreme sport
An extreme sport is a popular term for certain activities perceived as having a high level of inherent danger...
practitioner, known for the dangerous sports of "free-soloing" (rock climbing without ropes or other safety gear); and "rope jumping" (falling several hundred feet from a cliff then being caught by a safety rope), for which his record was over 1000 feet/300 meters. He was known for living a bohemian lifestyle
Bohemianism
Bohemianism is the practice of an unconventional lifestyle, often in the company of like-minded people, with few permanent ties, involving musical, artistic or literary pursuits...
, rarely working, and living in a tree house for months at a time. He was the star of several rock climbing videos, which brought free-soloing to a wider audience. Dan had one daughter.
Climbing Films
Dan Osman appeared in Eric Perlman's Masters of Stone series, free soloing Atlantis (5.11+) on The Sorcerer in Needles and Airy Interlude (5.10b, then 5.9) on The Witch, also in Needles (in California's Sierras). He also is featured crashing a bmx bicycle, ziplining off The Witch, taking a gigantic 192 foot whipper just for the fun of it (in Yosemite), and perhaps most impressively, on-sight free-soloing Bolder Display of Power (5.11).Death
Dan Osman died November 23, 1998 at the age of 35 after his rope failed while performing a "controlled free-fall" jump from the Leaning TowerLeaning Tower, Yosemite
The Leaning Tower in Yosemite National Park is a popular destination for rock climbers. It is located west of, and adjacent to Bridalveil Fall, on the south side of the Merced River in Yosemite Valley. The rock is considered to be a strenuous climb, requiring approximately three days to climb to...
rock formation in Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is a United States National Park spanning eastern portions of Tuolumne, Mariposa and Madera counties in east central California, United States. The park covers an area of and reaches across the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain chain...
. Osman had come back to Yosemite to dismantle the jump tower but apparently decided to make several jumps (over a few days) before doing so. The failure was investigated by the National Park Service with assistance from Chris Harmston, Quality Assurance Manager at Black Diamond Equipment. Harmston concluded that a change in jump site angle probably caused the ropes to cross and entangle, leading to the rope cutting by melting. Miles Daisher, who was with Osman when he made the jump, stated that the ropes used in his fatal jump had been exposed to inclement weather — including rain and snow — for more than a month before the fatal jump, but that the same ropes were used for several shorter jumps on the previous and same day.
Notable climbs
- 1997 Ride the Lightning, VI 5.10 A4 WI3, Middle Triple PeakMiddle Triple PeakMiddle Triple Peak is the second highest peak in the Kichatna Mountains, a subrange of the Alaska Range in Alaska, United States. It is a striking rock tower, with immense, sheer walls on the east and west sides....
, Kichatna MountainsKichatna MountainsThe Kichatna Mountains are a small mountain range in the northwestern part of Matanuska-Susitna Borough of the U.S. state of Alaska, approximately southwest of Mount McKinley...
, AlaskaAlaskaAlaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
. FA with Kitty Calhoun, Steve Gerberding and Jay Smith - Lover's Leap. Bear's ReachBear's Reach (Lover's Leap)The Bear's Reach is a technical rock climbing route on Lover's Leap near Lake Tahoe, CA. Considered a classic for its grade, it includes both face and crack climbing. The route is named for the crux of the second pitch, a long reach between two large holds. The route is best known in popular...
, 5.7. Speed soloSpeed climbingSpeed Climbing is climbing in which speed is the ultimate goal. Speed Climbing is done on rocks, walls and poles...
. 400+ ft in 4 min, 25 seconds. - The Gun Club, 5.12c, Free solo. New River Gorge