Ammon McNeely was one of the most renowned and fearless rock climbers in the world, known for his speed and skill on the big walls of Yosemite and other places. He was also a BASE jumper, a wingsuiter, and a slackliner, who pushed the limits of adventure and risk. But on February 18, 2023, his life came to a tragic end when he fell from a cliff near Moab, Utah. What happened to Ammon McNeely and what was the cause of his death? Here is what we know so far.
The Accident
According to Gripped Magazine, McNeely fell from a cliff in an accident that was not related to climbing. The details of the incident are still unclear, but sources close to McNeely said that he was alone at the time and that he managed to call his friends for help. He reportedly used a piece of his BASE gear to create a tourniquet on his leg, as blood was “squirting everywhere”. He told his friends that he might faint and that he needed a helicopter rescue. Unfortunately, he did not survive the fall and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Legacy
McNeely was a legend in the climbing community, especially in Yosemite Valley, where he climbed over 60 routes on El Capitan and spent hundreds of days on the wall. He made the first one-day ascents of several routes, including some of the hardest and most dangerous ones, such as The Reticent Wall, Plastic Surgery Disaster, and Wings of Steel. He also set many speed records on El Cap, often with partners like Dean Potter, Ivo Ninov, and Brian McCray. He was the first to climb all three routes on the Streaked Wall in Zion National Park in a day, and he pioneered many highlines throughout the US.
McNeely was also a passionate BASE jumper and wingsuiter, who survived several accidents and injuries, including one in 2017 that resulted in the amputation of his right leg below the knee. He never let his disability stop him from pursuing his dreams, and he continued to climb and jump with a prosthetic leg. He was an inspiration to many people who admired his courage, humor, and spirit.
The Tributes
The news of McNeely’s death shocked and saddened the climbing world, and many people paid tribute to him on social media and other platforms. Renan Ozturk, a filmmaker and climber, posted a video of McNeely on Instagram, saying: “He was a true pirate of the vertical world, living by his own code, always pushing the edge of possibility and having a blast doing it. He was one of the most authentic humans I’ve ever met and I’m grateful for the times we shared.” Pete Zabrok, a Yosemite veteran, wrote a long and heartfelt tribute to McNeely on Gripped Magazine, saying: “He was the hardest charging big wall climber I ever met, making one-day ascents of El Cap’s most dangerous nailups in lightning speed with its best climbers. He displayed utter fearlessness to the point where you honestly wondered if he could feel fear at all, so perilous were his ascents.” Tom Evans, a Yosemite photographer, said: “He was a unique character who was respected by all the climbers in Yosemite and around the world. He will be missed and remembered in the Valley.”
McNeely’s family and friends are planning a memorial service for him, and a GoFundMe page has been set up to help with the expenses. McNeely’s legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of those who knew him, and in the history and culture of climbing. He was a true adventurer, a rebel, and a pirate, who lived and died on his own terms. Rest in peace, Ammon McNeely. You will never be forgotten.
