Free Solo: The Extreme World of Climbing

When it comes to free soloing, there's no room for error. You're essentially climbing without any safety net – no ropes, no partner, and no mechanical aids to catch you if you fall. This extreme sport demands a 100% success rate, making even the smallest mistake fatal. Alex Honnold, a professional climber, has made a name for himself by free soloing some of the most challenging routes in the world, including the north face of El Capitan in Yosemite Valley.

Honnold's approach to climbing is unlike many others. While some climbers may spend hours preparing and rehearsing their moves, Honnold prefers to keep his mind focused on the present moment. In an interview, he revealed that death is not a constant preoccupation for him. Instead, he mitigates risks ahead of time and makes good decisions when climbing.

The crux of free soloing lies in its physical and mental demands. Climbers must be able to overcome their fear and stay focused on the task at hand. The most challenging sections often require a combination of strength, agility, and strategy. For Honnold, this means relying on his experience and instinct to navigate the difficult terrain.

One of the most storied walls in climbing is the Dawn Wall, which was first ascended in 1958 by climbers who tackled it in sections over an 18-month period. Today, it's still considered a formidable challenge, with climbers typically taking three days to scale its strenuous pitches and bivouacking overnight on the wall.

Honnold's free solo of the north face of El Capitan was documented in the film 'Free Solo' directed by Jimmy Chin. The film premiered in 2018 and brought attention to Honnold's extreme climbing style. Since then, his life has changed, and he has become a household name in the climbing community.

Despite the risks involved, free soloing is not for everyone. In fact, it's only pursued by a small minority of professional climbers who are willing to push themselves to the limits of human endurance. For those who attempt it, there's no time to philosophize about death – just a constant focus on the present moment and the next move.

As Honnold himself put it, 'When you're on a wall, handholds not Heidegger are the name of the game: philosophising will get you killed. It just doesn’t serve anyone.' In other words, when it comes to free soloing, there's no room for intellectualizing or overthinking – only a relentless focus on survival and success.

Free solo