Mountain climber Alex Honnold seems to defy gravity

Mountain climber Alex Honnold seems to defy gravity, scaling sheer, steep rock faces with no rope and apparently no fear

Back in the day I owned a climbing school/guide service and was spending around 150 days a year on the rock. I free climbed a bit, mostly 5.6-5.8 and all under 100 feet.

Sounds about like me... But I got my notice slapping my hand into a monster bucket hold... I pinched down under the edge of it and was almost fully on it when the hold came off in my hand - I was almost a full rope off the ground (had I been using a rope), and I came SO CLOSE to peeling off... One second later and I would have been committed to that hold and I would have died right there.

And I had been up that wall a ton of times. I knew the route and could have climbed it blind... I had hung off of that chunk many, many times. Ever thereafter, I never went without protection. And redundant protection wherever possible.

Even with pro, there is no guarantee. The first time you ride the zipper is a time of great contemplation. ; )

Looking back on that time makes me realize that although freeing a wall is the ultimate expression of the sport, only a precious few should attempt the things that Hollold does... and even then, for a very short window of time.

While I feel ya, I don't agree. the rope is a drag, and stopping to place pro takes precious time, especially on a tight slab or an overhang - But if one does not use the rope to assist (only there to catch you) the experience can be much the same, and a whole lot safer. My own near miss taught me that anything less is sheer idiocy.

My son climbs. Mostly bouldering, which to me looks like people trying to find the hardest way up a rock. The kid is in amazing shape.

He climbed Half Dome (spelling?) in Yosemite. Thank the good Lord he had the sense to use ropes. I couldn’t imagine ever climbing that free style.

The sport of rock climbing and also bouldering is amazing. Except when my son does it. It now scares me like nobody’s business.

This guy on the clip must scare the living hell out of his mother.

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