Alex Honnold recreates 'The Boulder Problem' indoors at VauxWall with Louis Parkinson

Fresh off the back of the launch of 'Free Solo', legendary climber Alex Honnold joins Louis Parkinson to set a replica of the infamous 'Boulder Problem', the toughest sequence of moves from his epic free solo climb.
Want to give it a go? The route is part of VauxEast's Legend Circuit and remains up! Try 'The Boulder Problem' yourself at: www.vauxeast.co.uk/
Part of London Climbing Centres - 8 Centres | One Membership
Support The Honnold Foundation: www.honnoldfoundation.org/
Filmed and edited by Chris Mitchell for VauxWall Climbing Centre
Music from KZbin Studio:
Silk n Cashmere - Riddim
Love On Wings - Riddim

[@londonclimbingcentres]

5 years on and people are still psyched to try the Free Solo replica in London, and we have good news! The 'Boulder Problem' is a permanent bloc at VauxWall East Climbing Centre, set by Alex Honnold himself. We've switched out some holds as they were getting a lot of love, so it's now set with pink holds. But it's all still in the same place. Come and give it a go but, be warned, it's seriously tough...

[@Dantonwonton]

can see him getting fed up of being this well known pretty fast

[@Yumicpcake]

Nah, Leos love attention.

[@SuperRobertoClemente]

Any human being, after a six-month press tour, would be fed up. He has my total sympathy.

[@dash0173]

@@SuperRobertoClemente you'd be surprised how many people would kill for that kind of attention. its unavoidable for some though. once you get so good at something you do everyday, you're bound to get lots of attention for it.

[@SuperRobertoClemente]

@@dash0173 Sure, and he does seem to like some attention-- but this is getting attention for a film he's in, not one that he directly made. He takes care to point that out from time to time. Generally it seems that his low amygdala activity is coming in handy for all these presenters and their repetitive questions...

[@DarianG98]

Some people realize even from the beginning that fame really isn’t all that in my opinion not that I’ve ever or ever will experience it lol but materialism and ego don’t really grab the attention much of humble, secure, sound individuals like Alex. They just want to do what they like and not be bothered. Just like Jerry Garcia and playing music

[@willwanovich]

watching alex climb at the end of the video was incredible, so smooth and melodic, not a single unnecessary movement. its like artwork.

[@xJae14x]

Will Wanovich it really is.

[@highlyfavored2434]

Best part of the video because the interviewer was quiet

[@bizmonkey007]

Louis is a pretty damn good climber, but Alex showed that there are levels to this game.

[@mattlast4093]

he moves like a cat

[@assrammington7961]

like me doing your mom

[@sqwat90-06-now]

Had to laugh at ''If Adam Ondra didn't care if he lived or died, and just went up there, he'd probably be fine'' like Adam would just flash the whole thing 😂

[@ADowneyBear9]

"Maybe after a breakup." lol

[@MarkusSojakka]

Obviously he can flash 7c he has even flashed 9a+ I think

[@toddsmith1969]

"We should tell him" lmao

[@dakiblabla]

Honnold tells that joke a lot, he just changes the name. Usually he makes it about Tommy. What I find funny is that he's blissfully unaware of what that statement says about him. It's like his every day is the day of a bad breakup. This is in direct contrast with what he always says about free soloing not being suicidal in any way.

[@westoneuler4065]

@@dakiblabla i don’t think honnold is referring to the depressive nature of a breakup, i think he was talking about harnessing that post-breakup spite and training hard

[@IsaacSMILE]

I get the vibe that endless interviews are wearing Alex's patience thin at times.

[@collinregner5247]

I think so too lmao. Also imagine trying to just chill at a climbing gym is impossible

[@eme.261]

When Alex climbs, there appears to be zero unnecessary expenditures of energy. Everything is pre-planned then executed in a controlled and precise manner. Impressive.

[@ultrachen]

Alex climbed like a textbook, so steady so reliable.

[@jessevanderkolk7902]

I think he has done that problem so many times it is honed to perfection, which it has to be of course when your are thinking of doing it so high of the ground.

[@iamillasfuck]

@@jessevanderkolk7902 And without a rope!

[@dasbrando4570]

That's how you climb when your life is on the line.

[@highlyfavored2434]

I was hoping the interviewer doesn't yell 'Come on'.

[@ultrachen]

Abstract Boy now you know

[@boundforeverywhere]

Watching him climb is fascinating. So much grace. It seems like you’re watching it in slow motion because he climbs with such intent.

[@FighterFlash]

He didn’t finish!!!

[@someoneout-there2165]

Just saw his documentary.. I love him. It's funny how people think he's stupid because of his education. When he had to memorize practically every tiny movement on his 3,000 foot climb. He's a complete bad@$$ and I'm very happy he isn't solo climbing anymore.

[@stt5v2002]

Pro tip for interviews: don’t constantly interrupt and talk over the subject.

[@MrPulu98]

Pro tip for everyday communicating as well!

[@bakerstreet100]

So true! So annoying

[@calcmandan]

thank you that was so annoying. he couldn't get half a sentence down.

[@starvingartistvideos]

pls someone slap the guy wearing spectacles

[@Alextruthful]

He is a climbing coach not a professional interviewer. Try to be kinder in general and its not that big a deal Steven.

[@AlbanGrosdidier]

Extra light, dual camera production, but no lav mic and no sound check? C'mon...

[@profd65]

Whiner.

[@FireDrillNinja]

What's a lav mic ? just curious, thanks

[@Novazon2]

@@FireDrillNinja The microphone that hangs from people's shirts. Normally a tine black bar. Gives you cheap and high quality audio for people.

[@FireDrillNinja]

Ok, Thanks. I appreciate it

[@jasongairn]

Camera one is not in focus either. It's basic stuff.

[@osmark86]

It's seems more like a conversation more than an interview. Get the feeling they're just hanging out and being filmed.

[@Bananamaltastic]

They're both well known climbers, not reporters

[@BoulderingBobat]

Pretty cool video! We climbed this last week, so much fun!

[@bdmatzek5060]

Alex Honnold - I really hope he will live long and with peace. Loved the movie Free Solo. That was one incredible film. His accomplishment is extra-ordinary and I'm thrilled to have lived in his time!

[@amazonia8393]

Alex is just another classic example of someone who followed their passion and became successful. Although he seems pretty unfazed by his success and fame which is what I love about him. He still remains so humble despite that now he's more well known in the world.

[@ThisHandleFeatureIsStupid]

"Who is the best climber in the w-" "Adam Ondra!" That must feel so good to hear if you're Adam.

[@liambenjamin4685]

Man it blows my mind how slow this dude climbs So much control

[@filiprakoczy4399]

Thats what you want on a big ass cliff! Beatifuly done by Alex.

[@omgurheadsgone]

Invest in some 100 dollar lav mics. Otherwise thanks for the interview.

[@TheAquanomad]

I've seen Free Solo twice now and Alex made 'The Boulder Problem' look so easy, seeing Louis (who is ridiculously good) struggle a bit makes you realise how hard it is. Great vid!

[@peterorosz9278]

well to be fair he probably practised it 75 more times than Louis so if you go to your gym and do a problem 75 times compared to a brand new person you are also going to have it down.

[@svenfissiaux977]

It's a V7 I believe

[@brentwalker3300]

Louis is employing more upper body and dynamic moves initially. Alex is using a far more gradual, small steps method utilizing effective smears and counter pressure hands/feet. Louis could have used Alex as Beta to put it together faster.

[@Palahume]

I really like the way Alex thinks.

[@SteRumbelow]

You know when climbers who are much better than you make a problem you’ve been struggling on look smooth and effortless? That’s usually me watching people at my local gym. I never thought I’d see someone do that to Louis, but it’s just what Alex did. Glorious to watch.

[@olliebarker9979]

Don't forget he had to have this move absolutely wired for his assent. Zero room for error. I'd love to know how many times he actually practiced the section.

[@denislejeune9218]

To be fair Louis, talented as he is, is not renowned for his slab climbing skills.

[@EGbean2]

Haha Louis is pretty amateur. He is a step behind Alex who is 3 steps behind Ondra. However, Louis is 2 steps ahead of me!

[@chumkrimson8161]

@@EGbean2 Louis is a much better boulderer than Alex, so no.

[@MrShadowfax42]

@@EGbean2 You're just another amateur trying to trash people who are way better than you. Probably about 20 "steps" better but keep up the pathetic sniping.

[@PaulCarterArt]

Learning by doing is the only way. Great time capsule thanks for sharing

[@erispe]

Allot of critique against Loius as an Interviewer on here. While I agree on most points, you should also keep in mind that he is not a professional interviewer and that this was a spontaneous thing that happened. I think it was fine for what it is.

[@carolin2516]

Love the interview! Looking forward to try the route one day!

[@svgarangy80]

Seeing him at my home gym flashing climbs I’ve been working on for years.

[@JustTex]

Audio didn't seem that bad to me but the interviewer talking over alex all the time was annoying. It's like he wasn't interested in his answers.....

[@danehrencrona4847]

Yeah Louis doesn't know how to act on camera. Never like videos when he is on.

[@disgruntledwookie369]

If you want to hear what Alex has to say in full, there is a whole fkn documentary about it plus hours and hours of interviews and TED talks available. This was a 10 minute interview for a youtube video. Get a grip.

[@rockclimbing3844]

Its awesome how humble Alex is, just cool yeah let's climb and climb some more.

[@cosmicray2504]

Absolutely genius!!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@pbamma]

Don't know when I'll be in London in the next 20 years... can you keep that Karate Kick route up... forever?

[@SiHargreaves]

Went in and tried it today. They actually said they were keeping it permanently... 20 years might be pushing it though.

[@tgeo2880]

drug smuggling?

[@Zenthex]

alex might be the most static climber i think i've ever seen.

[@eprjct]

Damn! His execution is still so beautiful that he's the only person on the recreation able to visually turn cheap plastic into hard rock by simply gripping on it!

[@richardlee5412]

I love how Louis just kept reminding everyone he'd have died everytime he fell on the boulder problem

[@joshcryer]

"If Adam Ondra didn't care if he died, if he just went up there, I'm sure he would be fine. Like if he gets dumped or something." Alex's Spock-like humor never ceases to crack me up. 🤣

[@holyworrier]

Great reverb.

[@k3tna]

It's impressive how Alex at the end does the problem with that much control. oh dude.

[@seanmacnaughton2981]

This interviewer blew it

[@ab8jeh]

He's probably completely nervous, he's a climber not a trained interviewer. It was ok.

[@zoewoodhead6057]

Ah, amazing to see two climbing heros together! And Louis, please don't go free solo El Cap anytime soon 😂

[@mako4874]

honnauld is so steady and measured in his climibing- ultimate efficiency and economy.

[@Ureyeuh]

It blows my mind how someone as legendary as Alex Honnold has been to such a random, poverty-stricken place like The Red. He's right, Slade, KY/Red River Gorge is one very, very impoverished community. If it weren't for the climbing, it would never be on the map... makes me wonder how many other incredible walls are out there waiting to be sent.

[@GPMcGee]

Would've been great to focus more on the recreation of the boulder problem. Would be super fun to try some re-creations of famous climbing bits that I'll never climb in real life.

[@TheUnknownFactor]

I like this type of video, but the background noise (and music) at times makes it hard to follow the conversation. Something to hopefully improve on in future videos.

[@jollygood9183]

Alex is such a cool climber!! When I climb, I look like a scally trying to get over a 6ft fence holding a bag of chips (fries).

[@didlidu7047]

I love listening to Alex. He is smart and think things through. To bad that backgroud noise ruined the interview.

[@IsaacSMILE]

I love the custom Tux idea! hehe

[@bobsnabby2298]

Before Free Solo, Alex climbed El Capitan, Freeride route, for 50 times,in 2 year span with ropes, succesfully, so it wasn't just "hey lets go to climb that thing"... He knew exactly what's coming..

[@Dan-jg7zl]

His life is like one big rehearsal. Always get the impression he has practiced the interview just like his climbing. A very methodical person. Each time I watch is talk, it looks like he has rehearsed it from a script.

[@camerondouglas3936]

Dude. We love Alex in Detroit

[@camerondouglas3936]

Nicholas Major ..why you mad tho?

[@krsp420]

subject and questions are great. Audio makes it hard to focus on the goodness.

[@synyzal772]

I'm late to the party but just so everyone knows; Louis Parkinson is a (fairly well-known) climber not a journalist or professional interviewer (whatever you want to call it) so lighten up on criticizing his interview technique and how he is dressed.

[@edmunek]

Small tips (probably will be in different comments as well) as it could be really great video A) focus on the wall behind Alex B) Microphone set to catch all the noise around C) Do not interrupt while talking. This is an interview, not a casual chat standing in front of the wall D) Turn off gopro sounds!

[@svetoslavchilingirov3858]

The questions asked are quite interesting, but the audio is terrible....

[@olliebarker9979]

Great interview. Though as the other commenter (when posted) said, the sound is pretty bad. Definitely look at investing in some proper collar mics or similar if you want to keep doing this style interviews.

[@urielias7742]

or lower the music

[@SuperRobertoClemente]

I've watched a lot of the KZbin'd interviews on the tour, this is the only one where the interviewer actually has some specialized knowledge. Fingers crossed for the Oscar guys!

[@OrriG]

Dream team!

[@andydonohoe8038]

Vauxwall it’s incredible to have Honnold here, to set the boulder problem, and to be interviewed by Louis. BUT why is the sound in the interview so terrible? It’s hard to hear them properly with so much background noise - what happened guys?! Surely if you have such an amazing opportunity you would make sure that you nailed it technically?

[@marcosmorales266]

Why aren't we just grateful of getting to see this awesome interview to this awesome climber? Isn't that enough? We are getting this for free! how awesome is that!

[@walkwithred]

It’s a climbing wall, not a production studio. You can hear what they are saying. Stop complaining.

[@BrunoMalherbe]

Yeah lots of white noise, sign that they put a desk mic too far and had to amplify probably

[@MmAaJjAaKk]

Andy! My man :D

[@profd65]

Some people have to piss and moan about everything. Whiners.

[@johnlzy]

Huge pity that the camera was focusing on the wall behind Alex!

[@successfulmindset1023]

nice shot!

[@elliotd9571]

i like how you intercut footage of you trying the problem in the interview. also good interview very interesting

[@Tobyhp]

Sweet to see you guys recreating the boulder problem! But hire a soundie for your next interview! We come in all shapes and sizes :)

[@Jmoneysmoothboy]

what do you need a sound guy for? any idiot can set up half a dozen feedback destroyers and then use the gain to fade sound in and out...

[@sjacrane]

Any subtitles to this? I can’t tell much of what he says due to extreme vocal fry.

[@ThePritt12]

what grade is the boulder problem?

[@thelolmaster1997]

This guy actually made an effort to ask every basic question possible

[@willcrawford7896]

Interviewer loves the sound of his own voice

[@disgruntledwookie369]

Are you seriously that dense? There are interviews with Alex Honnold where the interviewer never stops interrupting him for a full hour. Louis hardly said a word. Honestly you people can fuck off, you're not even climbers. You don't even know who Louis is, you're just posers fresh off seeing Free Solo. Alex hates being asked these same questions all the time anyway

[@chrishansen8026]

@@disgruntledwookie369 you can tell they aren’t climbers because they don’t even know who Louis is 🤣. They just came because of free solo and complained the whole time

[@jonforsythe7191]

I'll agree that a good interviewer doesn't talk over the interviewee. Let Alex complete his sentence before getting your next question out. This interviewer cared more about getting Alex to like him or think of him as knowledgeable than doing a good interview. But mostly it's a sound recording issue where it's difficult to understand what's being said when two voices are talking at the same time.

[@seantiz]

As a joke, I would have loved to see North Face design a puffy, down parka style tuxedo.

[@ayrab]

how long are you keeping the problem up at Vauxwall east? still there for a month or so? thanks.

[@deltafour1212]

It will be there for life.

[@jakepalmer]

Interviewers most common questions are what are your least favourite questions lol

[@chasejones4]

Shoutout Red River Gorge!!

[@BootsORiley]

I got pumped about that, too!

[@Raddland]

Interviewer is literally talking\mumbling over Alex. Even if you agree with him, you gotta let him finish the point.

[@disgruntledwookie369]

You know what a time limit is? Louis is only asking the questions he's been given and both of them are on tight schedules. There is hours of footage online of Alex talking about stuff. And I find it funny all the people complaining don't even know who Louis is, as if he's some random guy. All these interview questions are generic shit anyway, even Alex can't be bothered with it. He's been asked these same questions a hundred times

[@extremedadbod7013]

@@disgruntledwookie369 lmao jesus christ youre all over this comment section sucking off this interviewer. by the way your point makes literally no sense. why the fuck even have the dude on then? why not just sit and talk by yourself since thats basically what he's doing lol. horrible defense of a shit interview

[@amazingOst]

What grade would it be If isolated to just a boulder?

[@sanjam1984]

I don’t like this guy’s questions. He acts as if he already knows the answers.

[@disgruntledwookie369]

"this guy" shows what you know.

[@minifishy7162]

Tbh the guy does know the answers...

[@jeremybuckets]

Alex didn't top out on the problem. I'm not sure he can actually send it.

[@dkeener13]

yeah the sound is bad, but the thing that annoyed me most was one of the cameras autofocusing on the wall behind Alex

[@d35p0]

Geez let the guy talk man

[@chrisdtv3777]

Who did Alex say was the best climber at 1:54? I couldn't make sense of it because of my bad hearing lol

[@NOUA119]

Adam Ondra

[@connorsmith68]

Adam Ondra

[@gothicdeathprophet]

Ondra

[@deltafour1212]

Adam Ondra didn't free solo El Capitan

[@maho79]

@@deltafour1212 he would probably onsighted it instead, but with ropes - for security. Adam did Dawn Wall in 7 days. If this counts 😉

[@nicolassibertinblanc]

Hi there! Thank you so much for the video. One question, who is to Alex the best climber? I'm french and didn't get the name he mentioned.

[@irahughes8931]

im pretty sure he said adam ondra

[@nicolassibertinblanc]

@@irahughes8931Thank you!

[@nicolassibertinblanc]

@@irahughes8931 Thanks!

[@ZaneTaylorMusic]

Lapel mics people!

[@CountfilmsTV]

Or run the audio thru Adobe Audition, Add 4 layers 2 single band compressors Hard limiter EQ stabilizer Play with the levels but I swear that’ll take out the ambiance from the climbing gym. I film jiujitsu & we’ve solved that problem by doing this. If you use premiere pro it’s an easy transition to Adobe Audition. Only commenting because this is a great interview & it’s possible to fix for future ones without any gear changes. Cheers

[@dynamo5326]

What grade is the boulder?

[@paulmartin4946]

WHERE WERE YOUR LIGHTS DURING THE INTERVIEW??

[@slickcalf4476]

Was this interview or an interrogation?

[@philiplawler4236]

That freaked me out to hear the red river gorge said outloud like that. I live an hour away from it and I go there as many weekends as I can and because it's soooooooo poor I never think of it as being known. But Alex just singled it out..... cool lol

[@BootsORiley]

Lexington native who climbs at the Red. I thought it was super cool that the Red River Gorge got standalone shoutout from England

[@ethanhowell1793]

Nice of you to give yourself filmstar lighting & leave Alex looking like a potato Louis. Good job!

[@Stephen-lt1tp]

The interviewer is a douche, constantly interrupting Alex, and filming himself doing shitty climbing

[@jamesmac9]

Invest in a t-shirt and stop interrupting your interviewee

[@klimtkiller]

1:58 i didnt catch alex's response there

[@ewane7230]

Chessplayer101 Adam ondra

[@user-qu5md4js3d]

This dude handshake would crush an oak log

[@Coach_Doc_Roc]

“Alpine Tuxedo” Please be a real thing.

[@Michael-ig4hr]

Red River Gorge! Hell yeah! Beautiful place.

[@BootsORiley]

Incredible climbing and hiking at the Red River Gorge!

[@mettataurr]

nice

[@Stoitism]

Wanted to watch this so bad but the audio is so bad that I couldn't :/

[@mediumtalent3907]

Keith Herring climbs with Alex Honnold

[@dreadmag6372]

I wanna be his friend so bad

[@ry_er]

God damn these comments are filled with some crazy paradoxical boulder bros, Alex is not your friend you will never have a conversation with him like this 😭

[@azonicrider32]

Your interviewing him, remember.

[@Sirbradford13]

“What’s your least favorite question to be asked?” “All of them.”

[@SnowmansApartment]

that camera sucks at dealing with movement..

[@profd65]

You suck at dealing with life if you feel the need to whine about something so trivial.

[@SnowmansApartment]

profd65 Information about issues in quality are pretty helpful, i think. It‘s a good way to help a channel improve their production quality.

[@FaNcyIndustries]

who did honnold say the best climber in the world is? I couldn't understand

[@shinrarango]

the mighty adam ondra. coincidentally hes also much better at interviews 🤣

[@crisgarcia4400]

What were they saying at :20 seconds i couldnt understand through the accent

[@JackT1160]

"Do you find it difficult to have just chill, low-key sessions in the gym without people bothering you for selfies, that kind of thing?"

[@crisgarcia4400]

@@JackT1160 before that. Ot sounds like he asked if he has faith in something but i dont think thats right

[@technomancer_066]

​@@crisgarcia4400 "whats your least favourite question to be asked, that you get quite a lot?" " "Have you ever been afraid" or "what do you think about death" " "have you got a favourite thing that you liked to be asked about?" "no" "no, okay no questions alright then"

[@crisgarcia4400]

@@technomancer_066 thanks friend!!

[@JackT1160]

@@crisgarcia4400 "Have you got a favourite thing that you like to be asked about? OK, no, no questions then alright" :)

[@andremansley6654]

Please send me a diagram so I can build this in my garage woody

[@jakemason358]

what is up with the sound?!

[@chefjonsf]

you're here for 10:51

[@niamhwhite1135]

Yes!

[@AufdemLaufenden777]

Who's the best climber according to him

[@musicman24X]

Adam Ondra