Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Alex Honnold Scales El Capitan Without Ropes, and the Climbing World Reels

npr.org

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

31–40 of 527 posts

Re: Alex Honnold Scales El Capitan Without Ropes, and the Climbing World Reels

#31

Post by rgzn »

vkou wrote: post #13
tuna-piano wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Alex is famous because he does "free soloing" - which doesn't use any ropes or safety at all. More people do "free climbing" which uses ropes just in case of fall. Anyone have any idea how often free climbers end up falling and needing their ropes? Could many good free climbers do what Honnold did, but just like the added bits of safety?

When people push difficult sport routes, they may fall fairly frequently. When doing an easier route, or if you are trad climbing, you really shouldn't fall. Should, or shouldn't, is all theory, though. Last year, a friend of mine who introduced me to climbing fell to his death on a trad climb. I don't know what happened, but I assume his protection equipment slipped out of where he placed it.

I'm sorry about your friend.

However, your statement about trad climbing is inaccurate. People project hard trad routes all the time, fully expecting to fall.

Re: Alex Honnold Scales El Capitan Without Ropes, and the Climbing World Reels

#32

Post by placeybordeaux »

tuna-piano wrote: post #16
takk309 wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I climb but not at anywhere near the level of Honnold. That being said, free climbers fall quite a bit. Sport climbing, that is using bolts that are pre-placed as protection, often involves pushing to one's limit which of course means falling. Traditional climbing, using special gear and features in the rock for protection, does not involve as much falling since there is a higher risk of your gear popping out of its…

Any idea of how many people have free climbed this route? I'm really curious to know if Honnold is a one-of-a-kind climber or there are similar skill level climbers who just aren't willing to risk it without ropes? Either way he's amazing, but I'm curious to know how amazing.

Even if free climbing this route without falling once is well within someone's skill, free soloing it is likely not. It'd require serious mental preparation.

Re: Alex Honnold Scales El Capitan Without Ropes, and the Climbing World Reels

#33

Post by bloudermilk »

24gttghh wrote: post #11

It's things like this that make me ask myself, "Why don't I climb rocks more?" Then I remember I have a fear of falling to my death. It's a vicious cycle.

I got started by bouldering at the gym, which is an incredibly fun physical and mental challenge. It's all low-height (sub 15') climbing without any ropes over soft pads so you can fall without hurting yourself. After a couple of years I've built up the confidence to start rope climbing, but I know plenty of climbers who only boulder.

Re: Alex Honnold Scales El Capitan Without Ropes, and the Climbing World Reels

#34

Post by skim- »

wink wrote: post #26
weaksauce wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is a different route and significantly harder and will likely never be free soloed for a long time if ever. The crux is so insecure that it's suicide.

Thanks, I figured as much but in the articles on Honnold's ascent I didn't find any mention of a specific route.

It was Freerider on El Capitan, https://www.mountainproject.com/v/freerider/106261545

Re: Alex Honnold Scales El Capitan Without Ropes, and the Climbing World Reels

#35

Post by rgzn »

tuna-piano wrote: post #16
takk309 wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I climb but not at anywhere near the level of Honnold. That being said, free climbers fall quite a bit. Sport climbing, that is using bolts that are pre-placed as protection, often involves pushing to one's limit which of course means falling. Traditional climbing, using special gear and features in the rock for protection, does not involve as much falling since there is a higher risk of your gear popping out of its…

Any idea of how many people have free climbed this route? I'm really curious to know if Honnold is a one-of-a-kind climber or there are similar skill level climbers who just aren't willing to risk it without ropes? Either way he's amazing, but I'm curious to know how amazing.

Also, there are many climbers more skilled than Honnold at climbing hard routes. Honnold is not even in competition for climbing the hardest grades.

However, there is no one close to him in his confidence and security off-rope on difficult grades.

Re: Alex Honnold Scales El Capitan Without Ropes, and the Climbing World Reels

#36

Post by takk309 »

tuna-piano wrote: post #16
takk309 wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I climb but not at anywhere near the level of Honnold. That being said, free climbers fall quite a bit. Sport climbing, that is using bolts that are pre-placed as protection, often involves pushing to one's limit which of course means falling. Traditional climbing, using special gear and features in the rock for protection, does not involve as much falling since there is a higher risk of your gear popping out of its…

Any idea of how many people have free climbed this route? I'm really curious to know if Honnold is a one-of-a-kind climber or there are similar skill level climbers who just aren't willing to risk it without ropes? Either way he's amazing, but I'm curious to know how amazing.

This route, called the Freerider, has been free climbed by a lot of people. It is arguably the easiest free climb on El Cap. That being said it is out of the range of most climbers. I will assume you are not familiar with climbing grades, here is an overview:

http://www.coloradomountaineering.com/2012/01/guide-to-yosem...

The Freerider is rated at 5.12d. This is a grade that most people will struggle to attain without a huge amount of training and effort.

Also, keep in mind that the route is very long and takes most people multiple days to complete. Honnold did it in under 4 hours.

Re: Alex Honnold Scales El Capitan Without Ropes, and the Climbing World Reels

#37

Post by kansface »

tuna-piano wrote: post #7
justinator wrote: post #2

Proper Planning and Practice Prevents Piss Poor Performance. and DEATH. In all seriousness, Alex's mental and physical conditioning to achieve this goal should be lauded, examined, written about, and taught.

Alex is famous because he does "free soloing" - which doesn't use any ropes or safety at all. More people do "free climbing" which uses ropes just in case of fall. Anyone have any idea how often free climbers end up falling and needing their ropes? Could many good free climbers do what Honnold did, but just like the added bits of safety?

> Could many good free climbers do what Honnold did, but just like the added bits of safety?

"Many" people climb that route with protection.

However, to better put this in perspective, it is plausible this feat will not be repeated for decades, if ever. I would qualify this as the greatest sports achievement of all time.

Re: Alex Honnold Scales El Capitan Without Ropes, and the Climbing World Reels

#38

Post by [deleted] »

KboPAacDA3 wrote: post #18
justinator wrote: post #2

Proper Planning and Practice Prevents Piss Poor Performance. and DEATH. In all seriousness, Alex's mental and physical conditioning to achieve this goal should be lauded, examined, written about, and taught.

I google him about once a year to see if he is still alive, and I'm surprised each time.

[deleted]

Re: Alex Honnold Scales El Capitan Without Ropes, and the Climbing World Reels

#39

Post by 24gttghh »

bloudermilk wrote: post #33
24gttghh wrote: post #11

It's things like this that make me ask myself, "Why don't I climb rocks more?" Then I remember I have a fear of falling to my death. It's a vicious cycle.

I got started by bouldering at the gym, which is an incredibly fun physical and mental challenge. It's all low-height (sub 15') climbing without any ropes over soft pads so you can fall without hurting yourself. After a couple of years I've built up the confidence to start rope climbing, but I know plenty of climbers who only boulder.

I do know some folks who go bouldering, which is what I think I would do since it's relatively $ free :) I also hike a lot, which inevitably involves some short scrambles straight up. This may be the summer to expand. Thanks for the motivation!
Post reply on HN