Alex Honnold Smashes Record on Epinephrine, Red Rock, NV Motivated by the Late Brad Gobright

CragBrains | Post Tag for ClimbingClimbing
Alex Honnold,
Alex Honnold just climbed this in 34m51s. Credit: Alex Honnold

Free Solo climber Alex Honnold just climbed Epinephrine, a classic 13-pitch 5.9 in Red Rocks, NV in 34 minutes and 51 seconds, smashing the previous record of 38 minutes and 15 seconds.

In a post on his social media page, Alex says the climb was motivated by late climber Brad Gobright, who died in November 2019 and held the previous record.

I’ve been thinking about @bradgobright a lot lately – something about hiking briskly in fall temps always reminds me of him. Each day that I hike to the sport crag I think, “Brad would love this crag.”

Last year Brad climbed Epinephrine, the classic 2000ft Red Rock 5.9, in 38:15 (or so), breaking my previous record of 40 something. After he died, I thought maybe he should just keep the record indefinitely as a nice tribute. But as the season has changed this year I haven’t been able to resist taking a few laps up the route, just to see…

Today I did 34:51, and I feel an urge to thank Brad for the continuing motivation. I appreciate him getting me up early one more time to go outside and try my hardest on something big.

I miss Brad, but at least he’s still here pushing me, after a manner.

Also, thanks to the various parties who’ve let me play through on the route this season. Especially the nice folks today – it must be a bit strange for a panting, sweaty man to climb right over you in the middle of a wall…

free solo, died, Mexico, Brad Gobright
Brad Gobright, 31. 

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2 thoughts on “Alex Honnold Smashes Record on Epinephrine, Red Rock, NV Motivated by the Late Brad Gobright

  1. The mountains and rock dont care
    Got narscissism?
    Funny how its mostly only guys too
    Women dont need the ego inflation.

    1. Can’t the same thing be said about tracks and swimming pools? Trails that marathons are run on and FKTs in the mountains? Why not celebrate outrageous talent and skill?

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