description Alex Honnold Overview
Alex Honnold is an American rock climber known for free-solo climbing, in which a climber ascends without ropes or protective equipment. In June 2017 he completed the first free-solo ascent of the Freerider route on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, a climb documented in the film "Free Solo." His career also includes major roped and unroped ascents in Yosemite and other climbing regions, with an emphasis on extensive preparation and route rehearsal.
help Alex Honnold FAQ
Which route did Alex Honnold free solo on El Capitan?
Honnold climbed the Freerider route on El Capitan without ropes or protective equipment in June 2017. The route is roughly 3,000 feet high and is graded around 5.12d in the Yosemite Decimal System.
How long did Alex Honnold's El Capitan free solo take?
He completed the Freerider ascent in just under four hours. Years of preparation included memorizing sequences, rehearsing difficult sections with ropes, and choosing conditions carefully.
Did Alex Honnold climb without ropes while Free Solo was being filmed?
Yes, Honnold genuinely climbed Freerider without a rope while a carefully positioned crew documented the attempt. Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi directed Free Solo, which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
What is the difference between free soloing and free climbing?
In free climbing, the climber uses hands and feet for upward movement but can still use a rope to catch a fall. Free soloing removes that protection entirely, so a fall from a route such as Freerider would almost certainly be fatal.
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