Brad Gobright, a renowned rock climber who once held the speed record for climbing El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, died on August 11, 2026, after falling from the route. He was 35 years old.
According to the National Park Service, Gobright was climbing the Nose route on El Capitan when he fell approximately 300 meters (1,000 feet). Rescue teams recovered his body later that day. The cause of the fall is under investigation.
Gobright gained international attention in 2017 when he and partner Jim Reynolds set a new speed record for the Nose, completing the climb in 2 hours, 19 minutes, and 44 seconds. That record was later broken by Alex Honnold and Tommy Caldwell in 2018.
Gobright was known for his free-soloing abilities and his humble, humorous personality. He had survived a previous fall in 2017 during a speed attempt, which he later recounted in interviews and a book.
The climbing community mourns the loss of a talented and beloved climber. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
