By far the best article I've seen to supplement this: <a href="https://www.outsideonline.com/2190306/why-alex-honnolds-free-solo-scared-me" rel="nofollow">https://www.outsideonline.com/2190306/why-alex-honnolds-free...</a><p>As a climber, there are very few people that I trust to have a more useful opinion on all this than Tommy Caldwell, a close friend and long time climbing partner of Honnold. It's so out there for most people that most jump to conclusions without proper knowledge of the subject.<p>Caldwell is in an interesting position of having to balance supporting his friend, and trying to get over the fact that he very well could die doing these attempts. His article does a great job expressing this.
Some great pictures from the climb: <a href="http://elcapreport.com/content/elcap-report-6317-special-edition-honnold-free-solo-elcap" rel="nofollow">http://elcapreport.com/content/elcap-report-6317-special-edi...</a>
If you are interested in this or the history of climbing in Yosemite and and El Capitan I highly recommend the documentary "Valley Uprising." Even if you aren't necessarily interested in climbing its a beautiful documentary. It's available on Netflix.<p><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3784160/" rel="nofollow">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3784160/</a>
The thing that I've most loved while following Alex's exploits over the past few year is how he talks about his mental preparation. He always seems very well prepared for whatever route that he is climbing. To me, the biggest evidence of that is the fact that he quit doing this exact climb a few weeks ago because he felt conditions weren't right. That's really hard to do with media, etc. on your tail, even IF your life is literally at stake.<p>It would be one thing if he were just incredibly bold and daring and were getting away with it; instead, its clear that his method is a very slow, methodical process in which he manages to practically guarantee that he will have a safe and effortless climb. Even in the interviews after this, it is clear that he is committed to his routine and managed to set-up this climb in such a way that it simply represented a comfortable, natural step in his evolution as a climber. He talks about it almost matter-of-factly.<p>Truly awe-inspiring.
As a climber, I wish this were less widely publicized. Free soloing is extremely dangerous, and dozens of climbers - including experienced ones die doing it every year.
> "I woke up one guy and he sort of said, 'Oh, hey.' Then when I went by, I think he discreetly woke up his buddies because when I looked down they were all three standing there like 'What the f<i></i>*?' "<p>What an awesome story for a climber: "I was woken up on the wall by the first guy to free solo El Cap"
A couple of years ago it was in the news that a couple a blokes (Caldwell & Jorgeson) had freeclimbed El Capitan.<p>So for those of us who know next to nothing about rock climbing, what's the difference here? Apparently Caldwell & Jorgeson were using ropes for safety although not for the climbing per se (hence why it was freeclimbing?) So this guy does it all alone, without any safety ropes, and in frickin 4 hours? Waaaat?<p>Or was it a different route? The Caldwell & Jorgeson stories mention "Dawn Wall", is that something else than Honnold climbed now?
achievements in climbing can be kind of difficult for non-climbers to see the relevancy of, since the conventions of success seem a little arbitrary until you put some time into it. it was interesting to see the news cycle pick up tommy caldwell and kevin jorgeson's ascent of the dawn wall in yosemite in january 2015. it was certainly the biggest thing to happen in yosemite at the time, but no bigger in terms of its relevancy to climbing than a handful of other ascents that happened in the few years surrounding. it was a huge climb, and worthy of all the attention it got, but it was a little peculiar to see it get more airtime than any climb since maybe the original dawn wall ascent by warren harding in 1970.<p>before alex's climb this week, it would be totally reasonable to make the claim that el cap will never get free-soloed. it's too sustained, the only feasible routes are too insecure. no one, expert or not, would ever get shouted down for making that claim, even among a cohort of dreamers who all want to live the impossible. among that cohort, free solo climbing isn't all that common; maybe one in a hundred climbers have ever climbed a difficult route taller than 100 feet without a rope. which makes him alien even within his sport.<p>honnold just landed on the moon. what he did doesn't require any of the qwerks of convention that accompany most big-wall free climbs. everyone immediately understands the idea of scaling a cliff without a rope. everyone can even try it. el cap is a ten minute walk from the car. but in case the context of the climb is unclear, this is the kind of feat that only comes along every few generations.<p>maybe I'm overstating it. from one perspective, this climb was another incremental step on honnold's journey. all of his previous ascents were mind-bending as well: moonlight buttress in zion, the regular northwest face of half dome, el sendero luminoso in el potrero chico, mexico. besides, technical rock climbing as we understand it today is only two or three generations old at most, and it's already produced this monster of an achievement. we may see more in our lifetime. I just wouldn't bet on it.
Proper Planning and Practice Prevents Piss Poor Performance.<p>and DEATH.<p>In all seriousness, Alex's mental and physical conditioning to achieve this goal should be lauded, examined, written about, and taught.
Check these awesome photos of the feat: <a href="http://elcapreport.com/content/elcap-report-6317-special-edition-honnold-free-solo-elcap" rel="nofollow">http://elcapreport.com/content/elcap-report-6317-special-edi...</a>
There's a great documentary on the climbing culture of Yosemite and its evolution (including the equilibrium-punctuating arrival of Alex Honnold) available at least on Netflix: <i>Valley Uprising</i>.<p>Worth a watch.
On a message board I use there has been some interesting discussion [1] of whether elite climbers are being subject to pressure to take unreasonable risks due to the need to stay visible on social media, the commercial requirements of sponsors, and increasing interest in climbing by media orgs like Nat Geographic. I climb at a very modest level and don't feel qualified to judge in this case, and I certainly don't want to imply that Alex isn't making informed judgements about what he does, but I suspect these concerns may have some validity.<p>But an awesome achievement, nevertheless.<p>[1] <a href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?n=665201&v=1" rel="nofollow">https://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?n=665201&v=1</a>
I see a lot of comments wondering why someone would take such risks, why it's irresponsible etc...<p>It makes me wonder how responsible it is to sit in a chair and program all day, distorting your body into a twisted fat shadow of itself.<p>I think our profession also comes with physical risks, and they sure aren't as rewarding as rock-climbing is.
It's things like this that make me ask myself, "Why don't I climb rocks more?"<p>Then I remember I have a fear of falling to my death. It's a vicious cycle.
To me this quote is the best gauge of how incredible of a human feat this was.<p>"One way to measure the greatness of any sporting achievement might be to consider the amount of time that passes before it’s achieved again. New world records are set in virtually every single Olympics. Every year brings new sports stars who stand on the shoulders of those who came before them. Look at someone like Usain Bolt, who has a dominant record in the 100-meter dash that might last for generations. The difference is, lots of people can run the 100 meters (albeit not quite as fast as Bolt).<p>Honnold, meanwhile, is performing in an event that no one else is even qualified, much less willing, to participate."<p><a href="http://eveningsends.com/is-alex-honnolds-el-cap-free-solo-the-greatest-individual-sports-achievementever/" rel="nofollow">http://eveningsends.com/is-alex-honnolds-el-cap-free-solo-th...</a>
Sincerely, even thinking about it - feels scary! :)<p>These are great pictures indeed:<p><a href="http://elcapreport.com/content/elcap-report-6317-special-edition-honnold-free-solo-elcap" rel="nofollow">http://elcapreport.com/content/elcap-report-6317-special-edi...</a>
There was a very good interview with Alex on Joe Rogan a few years back:<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OusYaNWBy08" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OusYaNWBy08</a><p>In a typical Rogan style, it's a pretty relaxed and "real" chat, about girls, shitting your pants etc. Gives a little more insight into how top athletes like Alex think and approach their craft.
Tommy Caldwell is the most qualified person in the world to write this story. A famous name in climbing himself, having written many of the books, and having climbed and prepared with Alex.<p><a href="https://www.outsideonline.com/2190306/why-alex-honnolds-free-solo-scared-me" rel="nofollow">https://www.outsideonline.com/2190306/why-alex-honnolds-free...</a>
I find it interesting that I feel some of the same physical symptoms of fear when I look at clips of this guy 1000' off the ground, climbing the rock.<p>Alex has a such a unique set of skills, which he has not only identified but honed to their best level of execution. It is hard for me to now simultaneously feel awe and disbelief.
About Alex Honnold, there's just one thing that comes to mind - Unbridled Ambition.<p>That same spirit that Caesar's men harnessed to build a bridge across the Rhine in 10 days, that led NASA to get to the moon in a decade, that led to the empire state building being erected in slightly over a year.
Something I've always wondered about stuff like this: How can someone get so good at a craft that seemingly allows for zero mistakes? How do you practice and develop your skills when there's no margin for error?<p>(Note: I'm assuming he'd have died if he ever made a mistake on this climb)
Explore El Capitan via Google street view<p><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/about/behind-the-scenes/streetview/treks/yosemite/#trek" rel="nofollow">https://www.google.com/maps/about/behind-the-scenes/streetvi...</a>
One of the best pieces written to date about this.<p><a href="http://eveningsends.com/is-alex-honnolds-el-cap-free-solo-the-greatest-individual-sports-achievementever/" rel="nofollow">http://eveningsends.com/is-alex-honnolds-el-cap-free-solo-th...</a>
It would be well to remember the old adage that there are two kinds of rock climbers: those that have fallen and those that will fall. As spectacular a feat as this was, even for someone as skilled as Honnold, he does this often enough, in the end, it will kill him.
Here is a post-climb interview with Alex Honnold:
<a href="http://www.rockandice.com/climbing-news/alex-honnold-el-cap-free-solo-interview" rel="nofollow">http://www.rockandice.com/climbing-news/alex-honnold-el-cap-...</a>
Assuming Honnold has perfect ability, what are the risks of the route itself? I assume these routes are kept clean of loose rock, holds are inspected constantly and anything showing wear is communicated to the climber community.
I'm curious , if he is free climbing this large peaks, wouldn't it make sense to wear one of em lightweight parachutes, I'm sure for someone like Alex an extra 800g wouldn't be much of an issue would it?
> I hope others are inspired by Alex’s dedication to excellence and ability to live without fear<p>What he did was impressive to be sure, but I wonder how many people inspired by it will attempt it themselves, only to fall to their deaths.
There's some National Geographic video footage of the climb here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HoUDDetAg0" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HoUDDetAg0</a>
Why is this celebrated? The man could die. Is it for our amusement? You take someone, you give him sponsors, you make him think risking his life to make a living this way is his own choice? Between fame and money, and a life working as a clerk in some office ... what choice could there be.<p>I imagine it's like the choice for slaves in ancient Rome between being a house slave or becoming a gladiator. Fame and riches maybe ... death maybe.<p>Why does society accept this behavior as normal?<p>The welfare state will bear the cost if he lands hard and is paralyzed. If he dies, his loved ones will bear the cost.<p>For all this, what do we get in concrete terms? The knowledge that a human has risked his life for something so meaningless? Some "sweet photos, dude".<p>Madness really. How does everyone accept this as normal?
It is a remarkable feat, but still in the realm, evidently, of what is humanly possible. Risk is always relative to the activity in which you spend your time.