Industry News
On June 3rd, 2017, Alex Honnold completed a 3,000-vertical-foot ascent of “Freerider” on El Capitan in Yosemite, CA without using ropes nor safety gear. This is the first video released of his climb. Hearing him breath gave us chills…
This was the first ever free-solo of El Capitan and very well could be the last. This was a huge goal of Alex’s and he’s gotta be feeling more than a just a little amazing and relieved to have completed this phenomenal feat.
This route normally takes about 14 hours for professional climbers. Alex completed in less than 4 hours…
Alex has completed many breathtaking free solo ascents throughout the world including Half Dome in Yosemite CA, Moonlight Buttress in Zion UT, El Sendero Luminoso (5.12d) in El Potrero Chico Mexico, and University Wall in Squamish, B.C., but this was his biggest free solo climb as well as his most published.
Some critics are arguing this climb was the biggest accomplishment in sports history.
“@alexhonnold composed and casual free soloing (sans cord) 2000ft above the deck on the Enduro Pitch of Freerider yesterday. Alex’s process to prepare for his dream of free soloing El Cap has been an incredible, and sometimes stressful, journey to witness and be a part of over the last two years all the while filming him for a feature documentary (co-directed by @mochinyc). In some ways I expected (and prayed for) nothing less on his big day but it was still mind bending to see how relaxed he was in the final days leading up to the climb and of course during the climb – as seen here locked off reaching full extension high on the wall with mere finger tips in contact to granite, feet smeared on nothing. What I’ve learned over the last 10 years about Alex is he isn’t the kid that shows up to do well on the exam. If it counts, he’s there to ace it, take the extra credit points and finish early. I’d say he aced his final exam yesterday with extra credit for style and composure. When he got to the top, he looked at me and said “I’m pretty sure I could go back to the bottom and do it again right now.” Congrats bud. You crushed. It was historic, it was moving, it was brilliant. Thanks to all of Alex’s climbing partners who supported Akon the way and especially to one helluva film crew for staying committed through thick and thin and doing some of the best work I’ve ever seen. So so proud of everyone.” – Jimmy Chin, yesterday
