Is Alex Honnold’s free solo climb of El Capitan the most impressive physical achievement in recent memory?

Br3wnor · Mar 3, 2019

Just watched Free Solo, awesome movie and definitely worth seeing.

Still trying to process what Alex actually accomplished but all things considered I gotta think it's one of the greatest physical achievements that anyone has done, probably ever. First the actual climb itself is insane, for almost 4 hours he's basically climbing a flat piece of rock 3000 feet up with no chance to rest and more importantly no margin for error. The fact that he would die if he messed up at any time of the climb makes the pressure of it something completely outside the realm of normal physical competition or achievements.

Watching him clinging onto this rock with just centimeters of his shoes gripping the wall and holding on with individual fingers into the tiniest of ledges was just crazy. Also the fact that his body never fatigued is just mind boggling to me.

What do you guys think, is this up there on the pantheon of human physical achievements?

MrNewVegas · Mar 3, 2019

Lol not even close.

The guy who lived off nothing but taco sauce for 5 days in his car has him beat.

jelly · Mar 3, 2019

Where can I watch this?

More_Badass · Mar 3, 2019

jelly said:
Where can I watch this?

It's available to rent/buy digitally now. Amazon, Vudu, etc

DarthSontin · Mar 3, 2019

Ueli Steck free solo'ed the ~12,000 foot high south face of Annapurna in 28 hours. That is probably the craziest mountaineering solo feat.

symphonask · Mar 3, 2019

Yeah it's up there. 4 hours of intense physical activity with absolutely zero margin for error or you're dead.

What else compares?

thediamondage · Mar 3, 2019

it was an amazing movie, i went in thinking "this is stupid i'm gonna watch a movie about a dude who climbs rocks?" and went out with a lot of respect for the guy. also a bit of "why the fuck is he doing this" too. The amount of preparation and effort into these climbs is insane, like literally planning and memorizing every step you take for 8 hours.

Rendering... · Mar 3, 2019

Yes, of course.

MrNewVegas said:
Lol not even close.

The guy who lived off nothing but taco sauce for 5 days in his car has him beat.

Even more impressive is the act of will it took for him not to apply the taco sauce to his delicious doggo and chow down.

jelly said:
Where can I watch this?

Some theaters are still playing Free Solo because it won the Oscar for Best Documentary. Well deserved.

Jesse_and_the_rippers · Mar 3, 2019

Feel like we already had this thread and I already posted the scene from Star Trek V of Kirk attempting this haha.

Gandie · Mar 3, 2019

I haven't seen Solo, but Kipchoge obliterating the marathon world record is up there for me:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rqaP0dk2bg

milch · Mar 3, 2019

Obviously Tom Brady getting another ring at age 48 has this beat
We should all follow the TB12 Method®

fluffydelusions · Mar 3, 2019

The boulder problem had me sweating

Br3wnor · Mar 3, 2019

DarthSontin said:
Ueli Steck free solo'ed the ~12,000 foot high south face of Annapurna in 28 hours. That is probably the craziest mountaineering solo feat.

Gonna have to look into this

fluffydelusions said:
The boulder problem had me sweating

Oh god, I just kept saying why are you doing this!

RedMercury · Mar 3, 2019

thediamondage said:
it was an amazing movie, i went in thinking "this is stupid i'm gonna watch a movie about a dude who climbs rocks?" and went out with a lot of respect for the guy. also a bit of "why the fuck is he doing this" too. The amount of preparation and effort into these climbs is insane, like literally planning and memorizing every step you take for 8 hours.

I came out thinking that as well, but also that the guy is kind of a butthead. All the people around him who cared about him told him not to do it, the way he treated his girlfriend was just ugh. He has a huge disregard for anyone's feelings and almost seems like he doesn't understand that other people have feelings, and like he would put his own pursuit above everyone else in any scenario no matter the cost.

fluffydelusions said:
The boulder problem had me sweating

Is that where he had to decide whether to karate kick or jump and grab on? That was whew

thediamondage · Mar 3, 2019

oh yeah the guy came off totally as the guy from The Big Bang Theory, I could not understand at all why his girlfriend stays with him he was a total dickhead but the movie was fantastic in portraying that. all those moments at the house they were buying were insane.

hendersonhank · Mar 3, 2019

Free Solo is going to be shown commercial free tonight March 3 on the Nat Geo channel at 9pm EST.

jelly · Mar 3, 2019

Neat, for any UK folk, it's being shown on the National Geographic Channel tonight at 8pm. What great timing.

More_Badass · Mar 3, 2019

thediamondage said:
it was an amazing movie, i went in thinking "this is stupid i'm gonna watch a movie about a dude who climbs rocks?" and went out with a lot of respect for the guy. also a bit of "why the fuck is he doing this" too. The amount of preparation and effort into these climbs is insane, like literally planning and memorizing every step you take for 8 hours.

Yeah, the movie did a good job at balancing the insane ordeal with the human stuff. Honnold may be emotionally awkward and obsessive, but the doc balances that emotional coolness with the burden placed on his friends and family. It really makes you question his choices as much as you root for his success

More_Badass · Mar 3, 2019

thediamondage said:
oh yeah the guy came off totally as the guy from The Big Bang Theory, I could not understand at all why his girlfriend stays with him he was a total dickhead but the movie was fantastic in portraying that. all those moments at the house they were buying were insane.

A lid for every pot, as my dad likes to say. Honnold's weird but I think you get a good sense of him being fun and dry-witted once you're part of his orbit. If anything, you come away from the doc impressed by how lucky he is to have found a girlfriend so patient and loving. The juxtaposition between the relationship and athleticism is what really elevated the movie, and it gave the story two catheric pay-offs in the end

SeanBoocock · Mar 3, 2019

As far as climbing feats go I'd rank Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson's Dawn Wall ascent as similarly impressive. I also enjoyed the documentary (and the subjects themselves) more than Free Solo/Alex Honnold: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_dawn_wall

DrM · Mar 3, 2019

jelly said:
Neat, for any UK folk, it's being shown on the National Geographic Channel tonight at 8pm. What great timing.

Also for NGC viewers in Europe

nekkid · Mar 3, 2019

MrNewVegas said:
Lol not even close.

The guy who lived off nothing but taco sauce for 5 days in his car has him beat.

Disagree. The delicious fresh dog meat was his safety line.

S-Wind · Mar 3, 2019

Br3wnor said:
Just watched Free Solo, awesome movie and definitely worth seeing.

Still trying to process what Alex actually accomplished but all things considered I gotta think it's one of the greatest physical achievements that anyone has done, probably ever. First the actual climb itself is insane, for almost 4 hours he's basically climbing a flat piece of rock 3000 feet up with no chance to rest and more importantly no margin for error. The fact that he would die if he messed up at any time of the climb makes the pressure of it something completely outside the realm of normal physical competition or achievements.

Watching him clinging onto this rock with just centimeters of his shoes gripping the wall and holding on with individual fingers into the tiniest of ledges was just crazy. Also the fact that his body never fatigued is just mind boggling to me.

What do you guys think, is this up there on the pantheon of human physical achievements?

There are multiple points on that climb where he can get into a rest stance, and recover.

fluffydelusions · Mar 3, 2019

RedMercury said:
I came out thinking that as well, but also that the guy is kind of a butthead. All the people around him who cared about him told him not to do it, the way he treated his girlfriend was just ugh. He has a huge disregard for anyone's feelings and almost seems like he doesn't understand that other people have feelings, and like he would put his own pursuit above everyone else in any scenario no matter the cost.

Is that where he had to decide whether to karate kick or jump and grab on? That was whew

Yes

NHarmonic. · Mar 3, 2019

I've never understood why people would do this stuff. Feels so irresponsible with your own life.

Mountain climbing is such a dumb activity.

Burly · Mar 3, 2019

I dunno, last week I brought in like, 8 grocery bags from the car in a single trip.

Deleted member 2802 · Mar 3, 2019

Br3wnor said:
Just watched Free Solo, awesome movie and definitely worth seeing.

Still trying to process what Alex actually accomplished but all things considered I gotta think it's one of the greatest physical achievements that anyone has done, probably ever. First the actual climb itself is insane, for almost 4 hours he's basically climbing a flat piece of rock 3000 feet up with no chance to rest and more importantly no margin for error. The fact that he would die if he messed up at any time of the climb makes the pressure of it something completely outside the

Wait there was no nets and shit. What was going to happen to the footage if he slipped?

Climbing/xxxxtreme parkour seems to be not that dangerous if people can scale buildings and run across rooftops. Or maybe there's a whole bunch of dead parkour and spidermens you never hear about.

S-Wind · Mar 3, 2019

thediamondage said:
oh yeah the guy came off totally as the guy from The Big Bang Theory, I could not understand at all why his girlfriend stays with him he was a total dickhead but the movie was fantastic in portraying that. all those moments at the house they were buying were insane.

Well... his net worth is in the millions, and, he pretty much bought her a house....

She is a "life coach" ...

So you tell me who brings home the bacon

fluffydelusions · Mar 3, 2019

I like the part where he bought the cheapest fridge

Jarrod38 · Mar 3, 2019

I would say the guy who landed into a net without a parachute.

Deleted member 3542 · Mar 3, 2019

I don't know.

But what I do know is it's the first time in a long time where I was physically sweating watching it in a theater. Do yourselves a favor and see it in the cinema if you haven't.

Ashhong · Mar 3, 2019

I don't see how he can be considered a dickhead. The dude made it clear to all of his intentions. He has a goal and dream and he wanted to see it through. Even his mom understood that

fluffydelusions · Mar 3, 2019

Ashhong said:
I don't see how he can be considered a dickhead. The dude made it clear to all of his intentions. He has a goal and dream and he wanted to see it through. Even his mom understood that

Yeah I wouldn't say he is a dick. HIs brain is obviously wired a bit different so he comes off as awkward and he donates something like a third of his income to that's charity he runs

shazrobot · Mar 3, 2019

S-Wind said:
Well... his net worth is in the millions, and, he pretty much bought her a house....

She is a "life coach" ...

So you tell me who brings home the bacon

Are you joking? Please tell me you are?

RedMercury · Mar 3, 2019

Burly said:
I dunno, last week I brought in like, 8 grocery bags from the car in a single trip.

S-Wind · Mar 3, 2019

shazrobot said:
Are you joking? Please tell me you are?

She knew EXACTLY what Alex does and what he is all about from Day 1. Alex is completely open and up front about it, and he is 100% transparent about where she fits into the picture in relation to his climbing.

If she doesn't like being with him then she can leave.

He'll just go climbing like he did after the breakup with the girl before her.

Rendering... · Mar 3, 2019

thediamondage said:
oh yeah the guy came off totally as the guy from The Big Bang Theory, I could not understand at all why his girlfriend stays with him he was a total dickhead but the movie was fantastic in portraying that. all those moments at the house they were buying were insane.

Imagine watching Free Solo and coming to the conclusion that Honnold is a dickhead rather than an intelligent and driven person who wastes no time on bullshit. He's practical and direct, not emotionally inhibited.

Br3wnor · Mar 3, 2019

Rendering... said:
Imagine watching Free Solo and coming to the conclusion that Honnold is a dickhead rather than an intelligent and driven person who wastes no time on bullshit. He's practical and direct, not emotionally inhibited.

Yeah I mean I felt bad for the girlfriend but it's not like he ever lied to her or misled her about his priorities in life. He straight up told her that his relationship with her did not give him an obligation to live as long as possible. She knew 100% what she was getting into by being with him and it's pretty clear he's not going to give up climbing. I believe he will ultimately die doing solo climbing, it's just too risky to do into old age and he has a drive to keep outdoing himself.

I also think the GF makes it clear that she thinks he's going to stop eventually for her but it seems unlikely.

Megasoum · Mar 3, 2019

Funny timing... Saw this video yesterday

shazrobot · Mar 3, 2019

S-Wind said:
If she doesn't like being with him then she can leave.

He'll just go climbing like he did after the breakup with the girl before her.

I agree with the first part. Your first post came off like the only reason that she is with him is because of money. We don't know everything about their relationship and it's unfair to judge. It comes off as rather rude.

Wackamole · Mar 3, 2019

NHarmonic. said:
I've never understood why people would do this stuff. Feels so irresponsible with your own life.

Mountain climbing is such a dumb activity.

But physically pretty demanding. I hope you can see that far.
People are irresponsible with their life all the time. Let them. As long as they don't bother other people with it. And you never have to watch any of those movies or climbs if you don't want to.

KHarvey16 · Mar 3, 2019

Haven't had a chance to watch the movie but he's been doing a lot of interviews and press and certainly doesn't come off as a dick there.

NervousXtian · Mar 3, 2019

It's impressive, yet I don't know why we celebrate these people are basically for sure going to kill themselves. Someone mentioned Ueli Steck, yup.. dead from climbing.

At a certain point we are celebrating people risking their lives for what amounts to nothing.

Deleted member 2533 · Mar 3, 2019

The thing about his relationship is that he met his GF when she came to a book reading of his, and his book was about free soloing. Same way if you start dating a soldier who got back from Iraq, and then later they're being deployed back to Iraq. Of course you worry, but you know who you're getting involved with.

It was really interesting to see how she reacted to his first solo attempt in the fall, where she kept wanting details and talking about it, and then how for his second attempt in the spring where she left him to focus on his own.

Rendering... · Mar 3, 2019

Br3wnor said:
Yeah I mean I felt bad for the girlfriend but it's not like he ever lied to her or misled her about his priorities in life. He straight up told her that his relationship with her did not give him an obligation to live as long as possible. She knew 100% what she was getting into by being with him and it's pretty clear he's not going to give up climbing. I believe he will ultimately die doing solo climbing, it's just too risky to do into old age and he has a drive to keep outdoing himself.

I also think the GF makes it clear that she thinks he's going to stop eventually for her but it seems unlikely.

Yep, he knows who he is and doesn't use the sociable mask that most people rely on. I respect him for being unapologetically true to himself, clear-headed about the kind of life he's chosen, and self-aware enough to acknowledge that his personality and lifestyle put a strain on his relationships.

What could be better than knowing exactly who you are, and living on your own terms? Alex Honnold is living his best life, and nobody should fault him for that.

Deleted member 2533 · Mar 3, 2019

KHarvey16 said:
Haven't had a chance to watch the movie but he's been doing a lot of interviews and press and certainly doesn't come off as a dick there.

He's definitely pretty callous, especially at the beginning of the relationship where he's talking about them in the film. The film takes place over the course of at least a year, and in the beginning when the relationship is new he does say stuff like, "there will be plenty of girlfriends in my life," or, "she's small and doesn't take up a lot of space in the van" and other dismissive stuff.

I do think a lot of it has to do with them having only gone out for a couple of months and the doc crew asking him to talk about the relationship, and he's a dude who hasn't had a lot of long-term relationships, so he of course doesn't put a lot stock into it.

NHarmonic. · Mar 3, 2019

Wackamole said:
But physically pretty demanding. I hope you can see that far.
People are irresponsible with their life all the time. Let them. As long as they don't bother other people with it. And you never have to watch any of those movies or climbs if you don't want to.

There are tons of other physically demanding activities that don't risk your life stupidly so yeah. Still don't get the appeal.

HotTakeCakes · Mar 3, 2019

There are people that run a full marathon a day for like a month.

skies_ · Mar 3, 2019

Definitely amazing because of the risk of death but yeah I'd say ultra runners rank up there. This guy ran almost 50 miles a day for a month and a half to break the Appalachian trail speed record.

https://www.rei.com/blog/run/how-a-...an-broke-every-appalachian-trail-speed-record

jett · Mar 3, 2019

Megasoum said:
Funny timing... Saw this video yesterday

I guess I should've expected it but his hands look totally inhuman.

Is Alex Honnold’s free solo climb of El Capitan the most impressive physical achievement in recent memory?

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