Dean Potter is just as famous for his wingsuit flights as for his free solo climbs.
His " two polar opposite arts" have led to some breath-taking photos, as seen here. But it's the calm, not the adrenaline, that Potter seeks.
"The moment before I jump is filled with anxiety and what-ifs. But then as soon as I enter the air, I'm filled with this calmness and that's the main attraction to it," Potter told OurAmazingPlanet.
Read OurAmazingPlanet's full Q&A with Potter.Dean Potter scales the face of El Capitan, nearly 3,000 feet up.
Clutching El Cap, Dean Potter climbs with no ropes or safety harness.
Potter was the first person to free solo climb the main face of Yosemite National Park's El Capitan. That's 3,000 feet (900 meters) straight up. Without a rope.
A moment of reflection for Dean Potter after his record breaking free solo climb on El Cap.
Potter doesn't immediately fling himself from mountaintops. Here, Dean Potter walks across a high-line at Cathedral Peak in Yosemite National Park.
The team's workshop at Homathko Camp.
The Mt. Bute expedition team throws rocks down the side of the cliff to study Dean Potter's possible jump.
Dean Potter free climbs Mt. Bute.
Ready to make the leap, Dean Potter pushes the boundaries of human powered flight.
Dean Potter dives headfirst off the side of Mt. Bute, hoping to reach speeds over 120 mph. Read OurAmazingPlanet's full Q&A with Potter.
Potter gets a lot of inspiration from birds. Here, bird scientist Bret Tobalske holds a Zebra Finch in front of his high speed camera.
The view from Potter's expedition tent on top of Mt. Bute.
Dean Potter and Whisper atop Mt. Bute, British Columbia.
Leaping headfirst, Dean Potter soars to meet the ocean.
Whisper and Dean Potter take in the view at Turtle Back Dome in Yosemite National Park.
Reaching speeds over 100 mph, Dean Potter flies in his newly designed and enhanced wingsuit.
Potter and his fellow flier examine their wingsuits before take off.
Potter and his teammate after a safe flight.
"Any flight or any experience in life where I have fun — and I don't get injured," Potter told OurAmazingPlanet.
Read OurAmazingPlanet's full Q&A with Potter.
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