Free Solo - Greatest athletic achievement?

[mr. tegu]

Free Solo is the award winning documentary about Alex Honnold free solo climbing the 3,000 foot wall, El Capitan in Yosemite. Free solo means without any ropes or gear. It took him just under four hours. I first heard about him a while back from another documentary where he free solo climbed Half Dome some years back.

There are lots of good videos on YouTube showing him climbing and interviews talking about this recent climb. He says he practiced with ropes for about two years to memorize every hand and foot placement. It’s just insane.

I get butterflies just seeing him up there sometimes when they show how high he is and how he is basically holding on to nothing. I haven’t gotten around to watching the new documentary yet but here is the trailer.

Is this the greatest athletic achievement ever?

https://youtu.be/urRVZ4SW7WU

[kcmaxwell]

It’s ****ing amazing.

[suzzer99]

Originally Posted by mr. tegu

Just standing there on “something” giving his hands a break.



No words.

In the first pic I think he's actually holding on by pulling upwards with his left hand. Well maybe not.

Whenever I see these shots I always imagine the sheer panic attack I'd have if I was somehow transported to that exact spot. Like Honhold got there, then my brain switched with his.

I love watching these things though. I've seen Dawn Wall. Any more recommendations much appreciated.

[Fishpicker]

yes. scaling that is up there with all-time achievements. OTTOMH I can think of of only 1 greater athletic accomplishment. Miyamoto Musashi was 60(+) and 0 in sword duels. but that was 400 years ago

[mr. tegu]

Originally Posted by suzzer99

In the first pic I think he's actually holding on by pulling upwards with his left hand. Well maybe not.

Whenever I see these shots I always imagine the sheer panic attack I'd have if I was somehow transported to that exact spot. Like Honhold got there, then my brain switched with his.

I love watching these things though. I've seen Dawn Wall. Any more recommendations much appreciated.

Meru is really good. It’s about climbing in the Himalayas and was highly awarded as well I think. The type of climb that takes weeks in the elements and involves camping against the wall. It had never been climbed when they tried each time. Basically three guys that failed so close to the top and their story of trying to get back years later to finish it and all of the struggles along the way that each faced. Jimmy Chin, who filmed and made Free Solo is a climber in that one and I think also credited with producing it.

Alone on the Wall is Honnold climbing Half Dome but it’s not nearly the large scale production. It’s part of a series called First Ascent that is on Curiosity Stream. It’s a great documentary streaming service. There was also an interview he was doing with some network and climbed up a brick facade in the city which was pretty funny because it’s like a walk in the park for him.

Also on Curiosity Stream is Steve Backshall’s Extreme Mountain Challenge where they are trying to climb the Tepui Mountains in Venezuela. Slightly different, is a good adventure about guys recreating the first exploration of the Colorado River using period wooden boats. Definitely not ideal in those rapids. It’s called Operation Grand Canyon with Dan Snow.

[listopencil]

I free soloed your mom.

[kysirsoze]

Originally Posted by Fishpicker

yes. scaling that is up there with all-time achievements. OTTOMH I can think of of only 1 greater athletic accomplishment. Miyamoto Musashi was 60(+) and 0 in sword duels. but that was 400 years ago

And, let's face it, probably bullshit.

[Fat Elvis]

Here is Honnold's TED Talk on Free Soloing El Capitan

[suzzer99]

Originally Posted by mr. tegu

Meru is really good. It’s about climbing in the Himalayas and was highly awarded as well I think. The type of climb that takes weeks in the elements and involves camping against the wall. It had never been climbed when they tried each time. Basically three guys that failed so close to the top and their story of trying to get back years later to finish it and all of the struggles along the way that each faced. Jimmy Chin, who filmed and made Free Solo is a climber in that one and I think also credited with producing it.

Alone on the Wall is Honnold climbing Half Dome but it’s not nearly the large scale production. It’s part of a series called First Ascent that is on Curiosity Stream. It’s a great documentary streaming service. There was also an interview he was doing with some network and climbed up a brick facade in the city which was pretty funny because it’s like a walk in the park for him.

Also on Curiosity Stream is Steve Backshall’s Extreme Mountain Challenge where they are trying to climb the Tepui Mountains in Venezuela. Slightly different, is a good adventure about guys recreating the first exploration of the Colorado River using period wooden boats. Definitely not ideal in those rapids. It’s called Operation Grand Canyon with Dan Snow.

I watched Meru and loved it. I will check out alone on the wall thanks.

[suzzer99]

Originally Posted by Fat Elvis

Here is Honnold's TED Talk on Free Soloing El Capitan

Yeah in the beginning he talks about Half Dome - where he thinks he got lucky to survive.

[Fish]

Mix of extreme skill and foolishness. With a good deal of luck sprinkled on top..

[Fat Elvis]

Originally Posted by Fish

Mix of extreme skill and foolishness. With a good deal of luck sprinkled on top..

Having a screwed up amygdala helps. He simply doesn't experience fear to the extent you and I do.

[Michelangelo]

I wouldn’t sell him life insurance.

[Rivaldo]

Yeah in the beginning he talks about Half Dome - where he thinks he got lucky to survive.

Alone on the Wall is scarier than Free Solo.

Honnold is another species literally. Some of his quotes help to understand him. The risks we total aliens to his experience associate with his actions aren't accurate.

recommend Man on Wire for something similar, if you haven't already seen it.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by Michelangelo

I wouldn’t sell him life insurance.

I wonder if I can buy life insurance on him.

[ChiefBlueCFC]

For a while I thought this was about Hope Solo and her trying to return to the Women's National Soccer team bahaha