Extreme Free Solo Filming

[@natef95]

Love your four-points-of-contact free solo style! Still makes the palms sweat profusely to watch.

[@ThatTenorGuy6]

Pete, love watching your videos and the content you provide. Always a pleasure watching them. What I will say about this style of content is that your mind may be spread too far with this type of filming. Especially when you are free soloing routes. I can’t but have the feeling that if you continue this type of solo climbing while also doing the filming, that you will eventually film your own death. No shame in letting someone run the camera when your mind is focused on the task at hand. You don’t expect a surgeon to perform surgery and find his own instruments. His mind needs ti be focused on the task at hand. Please keep that in mind.

[@1Jamesinator]

I just did a little indoor bouldering today and was very happy when I saw one at my level that started with a crack. First time i've been able to use a crack climbing technique that worked out. It was so much fun!

[@justineichler1510]

I went rope soloing yesterday and climbed a pretty scary crack. I experienced way more vertigo and nerves watching this video. 😂 So, I guess, well done!

[@PeregrineBF]

I think the bifocal lens contributes to the vertigo. It reduces the distortion compared to a normal wide-angle lens, but when it gets close to the rock the line between the two focal lengths is visible and a bit nauseating.

[@andrewwmitchell]

Amazing job. Can't wait for the next installment of this project.

[@TheTeresu]

Can't say I enjoyed the 360 camera. The way the camera moves made making sense of angles even worse than usual. For example at 3:29 when you walk up that edge, at first it looks like the edge is almost vertical, until the camera turns around and it ends up being a fairly gentle slope. And I don't know if fisheye lens effect is the correct term, but how the rock just stretches and shrinks when the camera moves put me off pretty hard. For a positive, this is the best I've been able to see invidual movements, especially for feet.

[@iggywow]

yea the fish eye 360 camera looks very strange and a bit disorienting, some clipping in the image too

[@MythAvatar]

Scary. Scary stuff Pete. I know this is easy for you but mistakes happen, stay safe. Good video though haha!

[@bigutubefan2738]

Awesome! Well done Pete. I couldn't tell you even had a Go Pro 360 mounted, let alone how.

[@lui5gif]

This is already so much better than your first attempts! The headcam does make me a bit dizzy, but that may be a personal thing. Unfortunately for me, it also adds a lot by clearly showing the moves, so I'm not sure what I'd suggest as an improvement. Looking forward to the final results

[@rigeleklund5960]

Loved this video! The POV style, the cinematography, the close up punchy bits where you’re putting your gear together, and your calm commentary are great. I really love the wide drone shots as well, I think those might have been my favorite. Feeling that sense of scale really got me. Only bit I didn’t like were all the cuts in the drone shots at like the 6 minute mark. But hell, what do I know! I’m not a cinematographer and I’m barely a climber! Keep doing what you’re doing and I look forward to watching the rest!

[@py2706]

Awesome video, I enjoyed the music too. I'm looking forward to more!

[@fvux5393]

Beautiful video's, can't point out much that others have said already in the comments about the camera work. I do have one request: Could you do a video on why you want to solo climb and how you view the possibility of death? And do you let people know you're out there soloing so you dont get found after a week if bad things go down?

[@HavelockBanana]

The helm camera really captures the anxiety of free soloing for me x_x very very nice!

[@zacharyfox4081]

Sick climbing! But be careful, you are one the greatest of our generation.

[@stitch3163]

I realize that you are experimenting, Pete, so… I like the 360 camera if it could represent a move stable POV. I don’t know if the software can provide that, but if it could make for something a bit less like “Blair Witch Project” that would be great. 🙂 Appreciate your juggling effort regardless.

[@daderef]

As always, amazing content.

[@fredscratchet1355]

I liked that but it was very difficult to get a perception of how steep the rock was from the camera angles. There were places where it looked really steep but you were resting your palms on the rock and just padding up. Likewise the last few moves taken from the drone looked vertical but you appeared to simply walk up. Is it not possible to position the drone off to the side to see the steepness of the rock?

[@WideBoyz]

It's low angle and very easy

[@ki3shy001]

@@WideBoyz Side/off angles would definitely be super cool, is a bit tricky to see the steepness like Fred said

[@ki3shy001]

@@WideBoyz Inspiring that you're doing it as a one man band

[@fredscratchet1355]

Actually thinking about it Pete I want to make an official complaint. Where are all the queues waiting for the route?🤣🤣🤣

[@gravyblue]

Rock looks amazing! Great work Pete, a giant among men!

[@kylewojahn6430]

This was amazing to watch Pete! Looking forward to see where you take this!

[@paulbrown2971]

Still pushing boundaries. Wonderful content, Pete. Top stuff!

[@4thfrom7]

Oh good, I was just hoping I could get sweaty palms today. 😆 Loved the video!!

[@mw5360]

Such a good video. Can't wait for the major project!

[@seanpinoobers]

This is great Pete. I look forward to some refined productions. I had this idear myself but not much of a free soloist you see :)

[@Rycamcam]

So epic! Goodness gracious

[@travislayes6024]

Takin NAMES!!! Y'all are awesome!

[@Cr4_cs]

looking forward to the other videos like this!!! :)

[@MrRellim94]

Awesome project to give your self and I think this is a great first effort, keen to see what experiments you make with camera angles and bringing us in to it more, I really like the 360 camera and the little zooms to show the focus of a move, foot or hand, was a little weird when doing sweeping shots on the 360 and the viewing perspective gets a bit thrown around, maybe make small cuts to reduce that or play with the speed to give an affective of focus from one perspective then a shift to another. Keèeen to see what comes next man :)

[@aidanloeser4890]

wow. stoked to see the next ones!!

[@katakatakatamari]

SIIIIIICK! Nice climb Pete!

[@RockHime]

So cool to see the place where I live filmed like this! Such a different view from the one I have looking out my window 😂

[@TheBlackbeltboy]

Great video! I loved the cinematography, it was beautiful and terrifying. It would be great in future videos if you had a mic and made observations along the way of more than just the route itself. Cool to hear your own thoughts as you climb or describing why you’re using certain techniques in that spot.

[@craglevcarboncapture]

Nice dude! Personal preference: I liked the over-the-shoulder setup you did for Kjerag. I think the head-mounted option moves around a bit too much. Where did you mount the camera on the helmet? It looks like the front Gopro mount is empty.

[@WideBoyz]

Both have their place I think, but I need a setup that I can rope solo some harder grades with, not just E3 and below terrain (which i kind of felt that Kjerag setup stopped at). As much as a backpack or shoulder mounted camera gets some really nice shots, unfortunately it's kind of diffcult to climb anything that hard with it. I mean it's possible,it's just a right pain having a pole sticking out from your back or shoulder 😅

[@craglevcarboncapture]

@@WideBoyz Right on, makes sense. After seeing your behind the scenes video, I picked up a mount that connects directly to a shoulder strap that is pretty unobtrusive. I've rope-soloed at my personal max with it on and it feels pretty comfy. Might be another option.

[@WideBoyz]

@@craglevcarboncapture can you send an example of what it is?

[@craglevcarboncapture]

@@WideBoyz This is the mount itself: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HR77DZ7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I connected it to my shoulder strap, extended it with the Gopro bendy-arm thing, and tied the whole thing off to my harness. It could still be improved since you see the mount in the video, but here is what I've put together with it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaXHZ4Gknc5kg7M

[@jubilaeumskagen]

Yeah I was wondering as well how the close up camera is mounted

[@danielcarey735]

Great job 👑 really enjoyed this

[@Efretpkk]

Great content as usual, and great editing. Stay safe!

[@dave_h_8742]

Well THAT got the old rusty sheriffs badge eating my boxers ! Done a nice scramble up Wetherlam by Coniston old man but that was scary to watch.

[@dominickappeler5150]

Nice video Pete, it was really tense to watch even if it is a easy route for you. Cool editing and Music placement. Take care and don't hurt yourself Thanks for the nice Content

[@ryonmerrick3112]

Some of the on-helmet gopro footage makes me a bit queasy/vertigoish due to the movement BUT I do love seeing you get creative with camera work!

[@avrillavigne986]

Looking good!

[@protacodan4225]

Very cool filming. Everyone is always looking at their handle feet. Not sure what you used Nice very nice

[@protacodan4225]

*hands

[@seanmcguire61]

Great footage!

[@sambeard4428]

Hi Pete, quick question. How do you manage the risk for these types of projects? I know this is very easy terrain for a climber of your level and previous experience, however there are still always unknowns. The filming for instance is one, I can imagine climbing with a GoPro attached to your head is not very natural, and something you might be quite new to also. Do you test this beforehand? And what about things like weather conditions or rock condition? Do you have a backup plan for when it starts raining (heavily)? And do you test all holds before weighting them? I suppose most of it is just relying on previous experience and acquired instincts however staying cool and composed when exposure hits is just unfathomable to me. Ok I guess it turned out as more of a chaotic interrogation then a quick question but I'd love to hear your insights on this.

[@linuxlife]

Incredible! Bits looked even 4th classish, but you still cruised it. Wonder if you should start putting disclaimers about you shouldn't try this unless you know what you're doing....

[@andrewgilbertson5356]

Well done Pete.

[@Matthias31415]

The cinematic shots in the beginning were great! Maybe when you film yourself climbing with the drone you could have the drone a bit closer, so we can see you climbing better (maybe like in a third person climbing game ^^) Looking forward to more videos like this :)

[@chaozzah]

Agreed, the best shots were from the drone, but it was always a little far but mostly a little too high? I presume this drone is taught to focus on you and the rest is done by "AI", so maybe it could be tweaked?

[@gravyblue]

I'd love to be able to watch the 360 cam natively. Could you put the raw footage somewhere?

[@joelenane6888]

Not sure if it will help but Xavier de la rue the big mountain snowboarder was developing software for his drones to automatically track him when riding. Could help simplify the operation/make for some interesting shots

[@ania96157]

this is so impressive

[@snowsniffers]

I might have missed something along the way, but do you live in Norway now Pete?

[@WideBoyz]

Yes I do

[@snowsniffers]

@@WideBoyz great decision, I'll shortly move to Sweden 🇸🇪👌

[@Hendershot93]

Good work!

[@clintcaldwell865]

I found myself getting mad at the cameraman, thinking he wasn't getting out of your way fast enough and was going to trip you up.😄

[@mattbaker1683]

Cool video. Do you mind me asking what crag/route this is? Look like an ideal first or early multipitch trad climb, but it's definitely not the Peak District. I'm considering options for a mate who I took lead climbing today for the first time. Looks maybe a bit bold for a first timer but that second half looks more than doable for a competent person with a bit of gear knowledge.

[@basteihaha8]

The new honnold

[@Limbaugh_]

Looks kinda relaxing how hard would you rate this?

[@G33kyminecraft]

Does anybody know what brand that yellow midlayer jacket is?

[@WideBoyz]

Patagonia R1

[@tom_hutchinson]

Good effort

[@EmilAbrahamsson]

First

[@travislayes6024]

Remember the boat times? That wasn't so much a time as it was an.... Exposure.

[@edkrassenstein5534]

Any changes to your rope solo setup from your 2018 UKC article? Love these videos, I'm going to try rope soloing myself this summer. I live near 2 amazing crags, but a constantly changing work schedule makes it so hard to find a partner

[@WideBoyz]

I still use the same setup,but I've been trying some different things as well

[@dannygrout92]

Local crag, weird. I don't know this part of Stanage ??

[@WideBoyz]

Stanage isn't that local any more

[@HawaiiGirlAdventures]

Hi, were you using one of those Auto-Tracking drones to film this?

[@WideBoyz]

I don't have auto tracking on my drone. Check this video out with how I did it kzbin.infoFgohMKuues8?feature=share

[@raphaelgaillard8562]

What's the cotation ?

[@1lomi901]

I know it's easy climbing but sometimes you let go of 2 or 3 point of contacts at the same time .... That's spooky :( Take care. Well done anyway !

[@fabianhabersack4614]

Holy crack! -- Pete! -- Have you moved on to free soloing? Guess that explains the highball training sesh from one of your last videos. It all makes sense now! 😵‍💫 Don't go crazy and solo El Capitan though, ok?! Someone needs to supply us with crack climbing videos...! 😏

[@WideBoyz]

I haven't moved onto free soloing, it's actually something I've done since about 15. However I have no intention of pushing hard free soloing,or free soloing in general. I use it on the odd occasion for practical reasons and efficiency, and never doing it to uncomfort.

[@simonblurton8009]

Do you program the drone in advance?

[@WideBoyz]

No mine isn't good enough for that...

[@galaxy_brain]

Stoke meter 📈

[@alexamado2873]

Great video! I loved the 360 POV shots and was wondering how to do something similar because it looks so nice! I’m very new GoPro owner here and was trying to do something similar on a climb I did and failed miserably

[@WhiskyMystery]

A post narration track might work well and free you up to concentrate on the climbing.

[@Papershields001]

Rope soloing a big wall and filming it yourself….and I still get nervous rope soloing a 5.7 that I’ve free soloed a dozen times…

[@drewgarza1888]

Well my hands are sweating now.

[@paulthreesixty]

I can see it's easy climbing, but I still get 2nd hand nerves watching. Good job I'd say!

[@sveinungfluge1606]

Liafjell?

[@WideBoyz]

Yes

[@rikard.ronnkvist]

If you are OK with a backpack it's easy to get a better angle by extending the camera out a bit. A test with my setup: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iX-8hGOEqclqiMk

[@WideBoyz]

Thanks for sharing the video 😀 Yes I've used a back pack before, unfortunately for the projects i have a pole out of a back pack won't work, which is why I've gone for experimenting with helmet mounts

[@rikard.ronnkvist]

@@WideBoyz yeah… I tried it in an dihedral worked just fine… if I didn’t move 😂

[@InterwovenElements]

I think you succeeded.

[@flowrida1138]

Did you climb and film only once?

[@WideBoyz]

Actually 6 times, but the first 4 times the footage was useless because I mounted the camera wrong. I had to climb,then look, climb then look at footage, etc. It was all an experiment. Now i know the setup it would be two takes. 1 with 360 cam, 1 with long shot

[@flowrida1138]

@@WideBoyz impressive! So for your big wall solo this means you have to do it at least twice? what a time to be alive 😂

[@swbaker8]

Thank god you're wearing a helmet.

[@KK-up3pq]

I love the vid but for me at least seeing the wide shots without the camera on the head takes me out, as I am reminded that i am not seeing this one experience but at least two.

[@gavinbabcock6711]

second

[@h0cusf0cus]

wear a damn parachute i dont care how good u r. idk, anyone that free solo climbs, idc if they're professional i dont think r very smart in my eyes, because they dont think about common sense things like what if unfortunate situations happen for example, earthquake randomly? wind coming out of no where that weather broadcasters dont detect because they arnt perfect?

[@crabmansteve6844]

By all means solo, it's awesome, I understand, but Jesus christ dude if you're free soloing, have someone work the film for you, you're spreading yourself really thin and doing something extremely dangerous, and that isn't a great combination.

[@jamesdurett5913]

Pete you are flippin amazing