Updated 20th July 2022
I met Chris on Sunday at the Eiger the first time this season, but we were texting for the last couple of days, trying to sort things out for the upcoming missions. Chris and I have jumped a handful of times before and our first two ways were back in 2019.
On Monday 18th it was time for the Dream lines jump.. I was super stoked about jumping that Exit with him and so was Chris, He was super happy to share it with me.
He opened this Exit in 2021 and told me all the background stories on the hike, what a mission it was finding the exit and that he already did 15 or 16 flights since
then, knowing the terrain by heart and having a detailed plan of his next line.
We watched his last flight videos 10+ times, analysing and studying the line, he was going to take. Chris watched some sections over and over again moved
his shoulders and body, imagining the turns and flightpath, he was getting really into it.
He was very detailed when briefing the whole flight until the end part where he was not clear about his intentions.
He said the terrain flight would be more or less over after the houses and that there is clear airspace to our left.
We were stoked on exit, we didn't rush and everything felt good. It is a north facing exit
so it is in the shadow and there was not a lot of lift also almost no wind. The flightpath is on the southside of the mountain, fully exposed to the sun
and it was already late. Being my first jump there, I knew I would fly higher above the terrain.
We exited at 1pm and turned left to fly around the ridge and into the terrain. When we crossed the ridge we hit a wall of lift, it felt bumpy and I saw Chris struggling a bit.
We pitched down, entered the first gulley and picked up speed and got into efficient flight. I was high above Chris when we flew far left around a group of trees and then lined
up to head right again towards the houses.
We were coming from the left, heading to the right, traversing across the terrain towards the houses. We were flying fast but in turbulent air and probably a bit slower than expected.
After flying over the houses the way out of the terrain goes left but Chris did a slight turn to the right instead into what looked like flat terrain from my perspective. It looked like he was boxed in below tree level with no way to turn left to fly out.
As I cleared to the left, I could see him tilting up the suit, initiating a massive flare, using up all his speed to clear the terrain and flare over the trees at the end.
He gave everything. He disappeared low behind the trees and I couldn´t see the first impact. The next moment I could see him reappearing with a lot of momentum,
tumbling down the cliff face without any conscious movement and finally coming to a rest after heavy impact about 50-60m lower at the bottom of the cliff. No canopy out.
He had no chance. I flew away from the scene, out to the middle of the valley, pulled, landed and called REGA. His death was confirmed by the medic.
Chris was flying his dream line, while living his dream, giving everything until the end. It was not enough.
Everybody who knew Chris, knows, what a great human being he was, what a big heart and spirit he embodied.
Chris was driven by his dreams, still humble and open to listen and learn but also self conscious and knowing about his capabilities.
Always open and sharing his knowledge with the community. He was 100% aware of what he was doing, what the consequences are. He was ready and willing to accept.
Undoubtedly he will be remembered as one of the best if not the best of his time, a free bird, chasing his dream of flying the dream lines.
He once said his passion for flying, the art he put into his flights is his way of expressing himself.
Art is controversial sometimes, it is confronting us with uncomfortable questions and the artist left without clear answers.
All I can say is, that we both were extremely happy and free at the exit, hugging each other and sharing a great time
together, aware and conscious, ready to take whatever may come.
Fly free brother. It was an honour to know you and to share a piece of life together. You will be missed but you will not be forgotten. Love you heaps broey!
Yeeeeeeeewwwh!