How "Free Solo" Filmed The First El Capitan Climb With No Ropes | Vanity Fair

Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, the directors of the Oscar-winning documentary “Free Solo,” discuss how they captured rock climber Alex Honnold’s free solo climb (without any ropes, harnesses or protective equipment) of Yosemite’s El Capitan in June 2017. The film crew was challenged to record his incredible achievement without affecting Honnold’s climb.
Free Solo is in open nationwide in theaters and opens in IMAX theaters across the country Jan 11. The movie was nominated for an Academy Award
Information is available at www.nationalgeographic.com/fi...
Free Solo won the 2019 Oscar for Best Documentary Feature.
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[@doctordilanka]

Bruh, I don't even free solo my chair to change a lightbulb.

[@aftabullahbabar6045]

dilanka lol

[@fromnorthindia3862]

Lol

[@Sabrina11113]

Lmaoooooo this took my breath away

[@alexgonzo000]

freaking hilarious but honestly same

[@CAUSEDEATH]

O fu*k I'm LMFAO right now

[@Craig2760]

I’m sitting in a chair watching this and feel like it would be safer I were on the floor instead.

[@afibuffygirl]

I feel that. Should be at the bottom of el cap and look up. Gives you an entire different perspective of how hard that climb must have been. All the climbers literally look like tiny black specks, you wont be able to see the climbers on your own, you generally have to have a ranger point them out to you because they are so high up and gives a true perspective of the height of el cap.

[@patrickpascal1598]

floor gang

[@ShingoGringo]

FLOOR GANG AHU

[@tattoorocker]

even though I knew he made it in was sitting on the edge of my seat

[@hughezzell10000]

Yeah. My hands haven't been this sweaty in years!

[@tiashiraz8430]

This climb was one of the hardest pieces of filmmaking I have ever watched because I just couldn’t comprehend how he could do that and not fall. Even though I knew that he had survived and broken the record, all I could think as I watched it was “Please don’t fall, please don’t fall”. I cannot even imagine the tension the cameramen were feeling at the time. A truly, truly astonishing feat by an extraordinary human being.

[@EGarrett01]

I know he says he practiced it many times and was comfortable with it, the only thing I could also guess was that it couldn't be as hard as it looked. To me, it seems like he should fall off everything at all times, so the handholds etc must be more solid etc.

[@patheddles4004]

@@EGarrett01 I don't think the holds are more solid than they look. I think Alex Honnold is just that much better than we as non-climbers can really grasp. @Tia Shiraz Even worse for the camera people on the wall, because they're all elite climbers themselves. They understand exactly how difficult each part is, and just how extreme a challenge the free solo itself is to begin with. Plus they're all friends with him - as one of them said in an interview, they were pretty much up there going "am I going to film my friend's death today?"

[@EGarrett01]

@@patheddles4004 It looks like there's no hold whatsoever. So it has to be more solid than it seems.

[@andrewkmac3507]

@@EGarrett01 that's why it's amazing and terrifying to watch

[@maybeyourbaby6486]

@@EGarrett01 I'm a bit more than a third into the documentary and another record-breaking famous climber basically said that the thing with Alex is that people who don't know anything about climbing are worried but then comforted by how easy he makes it look, while people who know a lot about climbing are scared shitless. I think Alex said in another video that there are maybe 10 people in the world who has done this climb with ropes without falling and being caught by the rope, so not only is he the only one who has done this and the only one who is crazy enough to do it but also one of less than a dozen people who would even have the physica ability

[@memphisraines9038]

Has to be one of the most amazing things ever accomplished by a human.

[@WebnewsCelebrities]

*aliens approve*

[@jeremywoods770]

A girl scout just knocked on my door to sell cookies. I strongly disagree.

[@oliviabeau2816]

Watch the dawn wall

[@brogers_]

100% I bet this would be 1 in a million type of deal.

[@HellyeahRook]

Watch Meru!! Jimmy Chin is also in that but a more prominent figure. And if you want to see something incredible but cave diving related watch the documentary about the Plura Cave diving incident. Which I think you can find on KZbin.

[@guaip]

Free soloing El Cap is amazing, but no one is talking about me holding my breath through the entire documentary.

[@Ena48145]

😂

[@janeeeleee]

Exactly

[@brixiex2580]

rriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jaidelamere13]

Read first comment bro

[@gravedigger9924]

Don't hold your breath

[@rekunta]

_”He was not interested in dying in front of his friends...”_ No, I’d imagine most wouldn’t be.

[@butdaddy8361]

Charles P. Lmao fact

[@thesupercooladventureshow6080]

Just a little dramatic

[@oniamaya3934]

Made my laugh out loud for the first time in 2 months thank you

[@leviharrison4127]

@@thesupercooladventureshow6080 Its dramatic until you're put into the position in reality, then its downright scary.

[@thesupercooladventureshow6080]

@@leviharrison4127 have you seen my vids? You're talking to the host of the SUPER COOL ADVENTURE SHOW here...

[@Ken-rp7ii]

I watch this video whenever I want to sweat without exercise.

[@lucylilith5101]

LMAO

[@Jorge-125]

🤣🤣🤣 Funniest comment on here. How many lbs/kg have you lost so far?

[@enderince137]

Lol😂

[@maggieiscoming9828]

He was all about the climbing and she was all about the character development. 2 different people

[@valeriadelpilarnaranjocruz3401]

that's why they're married

[@Sethclement96]

psychology says “men are more interested in things, and women are more interested in people”. it’s pretty cool how this video reflected that perfectly

[@darkspeed62]

Well, he is a world-class climber in his own right, so that would make sense, and you need both angles for a compelling documentary, which Free Solo absolutely was.

[@hiroakihanyu]

@@Sethclement96 so true, a fact i observed and experienced myself :)

[@aimannorzahariwod]

@The BS Show And they're married and have a great family. You just sound like a bitter man. Get over it. Alex hasn't come out complaining like you guys have.

[@mrme4362]

Mountain goats have a statue of Alex in their secret colony. Look it up.

[@pathfinderLXXIV]

Honestly... Chuck Norris should be impressed with this guy. Also, Tommy Caldwell... that dude is a animal too. Watch The Dawn Wall.

[@sandraalvarez592]

hahahahahahahah

[@joosepnilk6978]

I read this 'in their secret colon' the first time around. And it did not raise too many questions about the legitimacy of the statement. Well, if only just - "isn't a colon by definition...secret?"

[@anthalex8]

HAHAHAHAAHAAAHAHAAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAAH, each year they hold the Alex Awards & give it to the most deserving mountain goat in the herd.........

[@Emrys91]

..... ....^ ^ 🔫-_(XwX) WHO TOLD YOU! Who betrade us!!

[@frankjamesbonarrigo7162]

Id be up 20 feet and be like "call the helicopter"

[@peter_smyth]

Or just a ladder.

[@SaadBhuiyan0]

@@peter_smyth nope helicopter

[@Menstral]

Frank James Bonarrigo -- Use Gillette

[@coldogno7]

they would just call dead body collector

[@DS-kn4bs]

I'd be smart enough NOT TO CLIMB !!!!

[@dingdingdingdiiiiing]

Even now, even after all the recognition, I think it Alex's achievement still extremely underappreciated by the general public, only climbers know what it really means... What he did should have been utterly impossible, there should be no way a human could top it without ropes.

[@nickw7619]

Idk, I've never climbed anything but trees let alone a bare mountain face, and although the technical details are beyond me I can realize the absolutely monumental accomplishment this is. It's just that I don't have the words to express the sheer awe. It's just a matter of almost being speechless in nature

[@mrloqqe1610]

idk, i don't think it's hard to understand how impressive this feat is, it's pretty obvious. i'm not a climber and i almost fell over unconscious, flat on my face, when i saw his feat. i couldn't believe a human would be capable of achieving something like that, it's beyond impressive. even without much knowledge, we tend to recognize greatness, when we see it. but i still agree it's underappreciated by general public, in terms of propagation or media coverage and stuff like that, bc i didn't have a clue this was even a thing or happened until today, when i randomly stumbled over the story somewhere online.

[@dfchang813]

I don’t think it’s that … I think it’s something so beyond the pale of human understanding that most of us simply lack the ability to properly process it.

[@RageDaug]

@@dfchang813 I guess it's good he didn't slip.

[@krokiersaltcrock5218]

@@mrloqqe1610 Maybe the aim was to avoid a wave of new free solo climbers around the world...lol.

[@oliverlavers2880]

Imagine asking someone who had been climbing without a rope for four hours to slow down so you could get better footage of them. Then imagine they stop what they're doing to *look at their phone* and they calmly tell you they can't, because they want to get to the top with a better time.

[@ninazeleznik009]

Wait did that happen?

[@sudheer667]

Check 6:13

[@pewwwwooop]

Thhhhats called autism? :D

[@aebbingeable]

@@pewwwwooop no, thats goal setting and wanting to achieve the goal. It is not likely he will do it again soon so why not try to achieve the goal?

[@godoftenors]

I think 4 hours might've been a record for climbing with ropes, so it's a goal to break it.

[@hannahanderson5799]

Jimmy Chin undersells himself here. "I'm a photographer and filmmaker". And also one of the best climbers in the world, no biggie.

[@theduder232]

Jimmy's humility, understanding, and friendship with Alex is the other major story of Free Solo.

[@LeaderOfTehBox]

His hardest ascent is 5.12 I believe, great climb but nowhere near one of the best

[@damianl680]

Herb yeah casual fan alert over here

[@HKim0072]

Everyone has to watch Meru. Seems like a 10x harder documentary to film since they didn’t have a film crew.

[@nemac23]

HKim0072 I enjoyed meru more

[@doctordilanka]

Alex did 23andMe and found out his DNA is 95% Mountain Goat.

[@hammah2535]

dilanka the other 5% is his enormous balls

[@TwistedFate123]

There was a video when a NAVY who was climbing with a rope encountered Alex where Alex just casually puffing up a smoke as he passes by him. He said he was part Chimpanzee. LOL

[@moonbasex-86gaming4]

That's funny dude

[@Lalala-fz2ci]

dilanka pfft mountain goats WISH!!!

[@Ena48145]

And that raccoon that scaled that skyscraper not too long ago

[@johnjones214]

I just rewatched the documentary, and Alex hangboarding directly after the climb is the coldest thing I've ever seen.

[@ImperiumLibertas]

The guy is a stone cold killer. There is no off button with that guy.

[@Smoove_J]

I didn’t really understand how strong he was until I watched that scene. It was like his body was completely weightless.

[@Lauren-xw8bo]

I can’t imagine trying to frame these shots thinking “is this going to be when I catch my friend dying?”

[@dreviscerator]

No big deal... This is how our grandparents got to school back in the day.

[@mythicsin3083]

dreviscerator Both ways....

[@nicleslie9662]

thats his nickname.. no big deal honnold

[@wildbanana2.067]

Ok boomer

[@professionalchef9119]

hahahahaha you are right

[@UncleHam1337]

The version i heard was that they were skiing and carrying churns of milk on the way back...

[@rozjones4377]

waiting for the "how they filmed the film crew that filmed Free solo with no ropes"

[@superjodokus]

yeah cant milk it enough eh

[@birkgroven9160]

@@superjodokus to be fair, it was quite interesting to get an insight of the production aspect of the documentary

[@kyle-style]

Matias Sjöroos Drones

[@florianfrueh3282]

and then the sequel "how they filmed the film crew that filmed the film crew that filmed Free solo with no ropes"

[@andreashabeck1155]

@Billy West I think it was partially meant as a joke

[@ThaGlittersAintGold]

I used to watch this climb all the time as a non climber. Now, two days after my first outdoor 5.8 I can barely stomach to see it. I have a whole new appreciation for Alex’s achievement which should be recognized next to the Moon landing as a great historical moment for humans. Sheesh

[@joshsactiveadventures5611]

Something special about understanding just how insanely difficult this is. I've been climbing a year and a half (top rope/sport/boulder) and thinking about what Alex went through for this is mind boggling.

[@huskytales9839]

It took me three attempts just to watch this film.

[@gillyobaggin]

Potentially the greatest athletic feat in history. Unbelievable

[@pushytub]

potentially?

[@jackchow4316]

jake gill It already is. Singular.

[@maxwelldewinter]

Philippe Petit 1974 may have something to say about that!

[@TheAcenightcreeper]

Potentially?

[@briancrawford69]

You mean easily

[@Antinarella1]

It must have been incredibly difficult carrying those two 100 lb balls of steel up El Cap...

[@hammah2535]

I’m petty sure those balls where more then 100 lbs lol

[@NeoFryBoy]

There's a medical story on him. His amygdala doesn't respond to fear stimuli, which means he doesn't feel fear like normal people. A true mutant.

[@RedDragonplays]

best comment on this video

[@duel5071]

Totally original!

[@finna9420]

Lol

[@danielschechter8130]

"Free soloing is about perfect execution or instant death." In my case it would be guaranteed instant death.

[@dited358]

No cause you couldn't even make it up 10 ft.

[@Smoove_J]

Not quite instant. You’d be falling for several seconds. Pretty terrifying.

[@CyVinci]

The film was already hard enough to watch knowing full and well he made it out alive-I can’t imagine being one of the cameramen in the moment not knowing if he’d make it. really compounded by the fact that nobody has done something like this before, and at face value it seemed like a genuinely impossible feat.

[@shailynl.4636]

I literally cannot wrap my head around someone actually doing what that man did

[@ashleyfraser5789]

Shay Field I can’t even imagine doing it with a rope

[@renko9067]

You are not alone

[@carlmarquardt994]

Me either.

[@tumbleweedking5668]

Should have said person not man, you'll get the feminist pissed off. Their was already to much mansplaining in the commentary as it was.

[@carlmarquardt994]

@@tumbleweedking5668 haha . Yea good one Scott. You are right about that mate.

[@riverrebel1]

Never having heard of this movie, I turned it on last night as background noise because I couldn't sleep. Bad move, two hours after it ended I was still laying in bed with sweaty palms contemplating what I'm doing with my life.

[@JojobaNutOil]

face your fears courageously, like he did!

[@Ena48145]

@@JojobaNutOil it's really sad that our fears are to lay in our warm beds and watch a movie of someone who could die at any moment 😂

[@topanirama2101]

Riv & Reb xy by bolep

[@rosstaylor5358]

Riv & Reb did the exact same thing the other night. Nothing gives you a good night sleep like surging adrenaline.

[@clubdredd1337]

YOLO

[@jofferhandles7654]

My hands still sweat to this day when I watch this documentary and I’ve seen it 3 times. The most unbelievable physical accomplishment of any human being in history.

[@sinatra222]

There have been many greater physical accomplishments, however it's one of the greatest mental accomplishments.

[@jofferhandles7654]

@@sinatra222 you are wrong because there is no one else in the world who could or would free solo something as treacherous as El Cap. With lifetime training, Honnold or any athlete could have come close to any other feats you are referring to.

[@sinatra222]

@@jofferhandles7654 Exactly, nobody else has done it, not because they are physically incapable. If you can *physically* do it with ropes (which many others have done) then you can physically free solo it. Alex is the only person thus far with the mental fortitude and balls (for lack of a better word) to actually free solo it.

[@maplenerd22]

@@jofferhandles7654 - This is not a physical accomplishment. The route he took is an average difficult pitch. Any decent climber would be able to climb it physically. The challenge isn't physical, it's mental.

[@jofferhandles7654]

@@maplenerd22 you have no idea what you’re talking about. Any average climber 😂 Enduro corner? Karate kick?

[@osullibr]

Perfection or death. It's what it boils down to.

[@MaxedZerkerBlondy]

My hands are literally dripping wet just watching this.

[@dan1e1473]

I watched to documentary with a bag of chalk by my side

[@oh1125]

@@dan1e1473 i'm yelling lmfaooo

[@whatisyoudoing1187]

Ok virgin

[@PC-qu7zk]

What is you doing original insult

[@bluesborn]

so are my shorts

[@michaeldowd535]

Jimmy Chin - frustatres me to see him described as a movie maker. He is a rock climbing mountaineering legend.

[@TheScotchaholic]

He's also quite the ski legend. Some filmmaker should do a docu on Jimmy - amazing career and accomplishments in so many areas.

[@robswitzer8334]

I loved him in Merú. I thought then, wait, he's a skilled artist AND an elite level extreme athlete? C'mon!

[@lawleight626]

Yeah but that's what he himself wants to be portrayed as in national geographic .

[@SteinOutWide]

Weird, I didn't know you could only be one thing

[@caseyschrantz9888]

You mean describe himself? Haha

[@AnnaKwonda]

They're so well-spoken, intelligent, and talented. So much respect for this entire group of people.

[@AshtonFitness]

This was such a wholesome, well-meaning, and sincere comment - it's nice to see in a KZbin comment section. And you're completely right. Also, literally one of the most insane feats of athleticism and bravery the world has ever seen.

[@jokerhaha5123]

Asians ?

[@luke-tx4zx]

during the film, my favorite moment was the smile after boulder problem. Just shows how in control he actually was, crazy to think about.

[@jixxytrix1705]

I tried to get into free soloing, but there was no one to show me the ropes

[@my_key]

I guess everybody could see the gravity of that situation.

[@dniemi58]

🤦‍♂️

[@ethanjoseph1148]

You’re lame hahahaha

[@alomonwo]

Fooken Legend Bro

[@callumclarke9384]

@Roland Roland thanks comedy expert. Shut up

[@mcolegt]

Jimmy is so humble, he's literally one of the best climbers in the world, not just a film maker

[@SB-zl7mm]

Yea Jimmy climbed Meru. Another amazing documentary.

[@indygon]

@Brandon Sparkes they didn't thank him first because they thanked him last, aka "last but not least" although they didn't use those exact words

[@esthahyahgeh6533]

Yussss. I know only a little of the back stage details... But the crew are each, individually, MADLY skilled climbers, all on their own. My love and respect to you peeps up there

[@warrenermish1454]

I find Jim and his wife to be opportunists taking advantage of Alex to win national claim

[@clu4u]

Jimmy skied down Everest, what a badass.

[@mrboyban]

I'm scared of heights, but forced myself to watch it in order to overcome it. I can't imagine Alex going out there without any safety equipment. It is truly amazing what he has achieved. He is already a living legend!

[@BlazeLs-je7yo]

Alex is an absolute beast of a human being. The concentration and focus it must take to do something like that is just insane. Mad props Alex. You will likely hold that spot of being the only person to free solo El Cap, forever.

[@Sicaoisdead]

this will most likely go down as the greatest sporting achievement in human history... I just can't imagine anything else beating what Alex did.

[@aero335]

Agreed. Blew my mind.

[@adkjamis46]

Reinhold Messer's solo of the north side of Everest is the widely regarded as the greatest climbing achievement of all time. What Alex did was amazing but what Messner did on Everest in 1980 is another level.

[@Sicaoisdead]

@@adkjamis46 Both are mindblowing achievements, but I'd say due to the sheer technicality and absolute difficulty, Alex Honnold's climb is more impressive.

[@pullyourluck]

No person on this planet has ever done this. I still find it almost impossible that he did this. Easily one of the greatest accomplishments on this planet at this time. My palms sweat watching clips of this while im sitting on my couch. Unbelievable

[@Adamjen]

I don’t know about that. I did some pretty gnarly hangboarding today. It was radical AND daring. You should’ve seen it

[@mongoose621]

Imagine getting to the summit and one of the camera crew made the "I hope you remembered to press record" joke and they all laughed, but then they got to the bottom and discovered they'd left the lens cap on.

[@autumnleaf2976]

Alex will probably say, "alright, I will do it tomorrow again if it not rains" xD

[@grantmemoli4776]

@@autumnleaf2976 dude probably lmao knowing him

[@SomeRandomGuy789]

Patrick what is that? Oh it's the lens cap. I didnt wanna lose it, so I just put it right here right before we started filming

[@Edfiki86]

Who hurt you?

[@JohnyScissors]

For real that's why they hired proffesional photographers that are also experienced climbers instead of just climbers

[@4seeableTV]

If I was a cameraman, it would be so stressful filming this.

[@thecma3]

These two do a magnificent interview. Their skillsets compliment each other so well

[@jaydendhaliwal8238]

The fact that no one died in the making of this is incredible

[@rodrickdubose659]

Stay tuned

[@pooplicker8889]

@@rodrickdubose659 O O F

[@Jdubayou]

specter8 Just the nature of this type of people. Same reason most of the wing suit innovators died. They keep trying to one up themselves and others until it eventually leads to their death.

[@TheGargalon]

@@JohnSmith-qx6kx they mention it in the movie - every climber that made free soloing a part of their lives is now dead

[@JLWyatt]

name something you've done regularly that requires an enormous amount of skill and precision. Now can you honestly say you've NEVER messed up doing it? I'm a carpenter and wood worker. Have been for 20+ years. There's times where Ive said "crap, missed that cut." Now imagine what happens to free climbers when they inevitably "miss that cut."

[@luvmirh8mi]

I’d like to watch all 4 hours of footage.

[@BobMarley-vl5gl]

luvmirh8mi it’s not that simple it’s probably more like 20hrs + of footage because there wasn’t just a single camera man

[@Norcalxx]

@@BobMarley-vl5gl I'd like to watch all 20 hours + of footage.

[@runningwithSaul]

@@Norcalxx sorry I would have liked your comment but I can't... Need to represent the 20hours of footage.

[@oldmate1342]

for real... more interested in the actual climbing feat itself than the back story.

[@davec8153]

@@oldmate1342 The climbing feat itself is the culmination of everything before it. Only watching the climb is like asking for just the ending to a movie.

[@justinherrin9722]

Alex is not fearless. He is able to handle that fear better than most. Thats all. That's why I respect him. You are a beast.

[@kingjosephrbidenjriii5820]

Jimmy is WAY more than a photographer. Just too humble to say it. He's a legend

[@fknight]

I couldn't even do a pull-up with balls that heavy, let alone ascend 3000ft.

[@Dan-Black]

Yes, overgrow00 is correct. That's what makes it such an amazing achievement. He climbed the entire thing, nonstop, with no ropes or other help -- just his own hands, feet, climbing shoes, and chalk. In under four hours. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Honnold (By "nonstop", I mean he never came off the route, like resting in a harness or anything. He probably paused a few times on route to stand on a ledge to rest his arms or something. Obviously not for very long.)

[@austina.955]

Brasdam he climbed the whole thing in 4 hours just watch the film. Pretty pathetic to call it a montage when you can’t even get 10 feet up

[@vincentjaphary7418]

@Brasdam booiiii Are you stupid yeez just stfu

[@AaronStoneVLOGS]

@Brasdam is trolling.. .ignore

[@faridwakim]

Dude I'm a big fan, surprised to find you here.

[@pccalcio]

6:44 - after 4 hours of free climbing El capitan, he casually eats an apple, and what seem to be the remains of a bell pepper ? what a mad lad

[@oliver8293]

I would be eating 5 footlongs lol

[@coltonclark6373]

Haha

[@gabrielrockman]

He's a vegetarian. You don't need to eat meat to be strong like Alex.

[@pccalcio]

@@gabrielrockman the point is not "what", but "how much", that's like 40 kcal. I don't care if you eat a sunflower or the remains of a golden unicorn, that's just a ridiculous amount of energy spent and he just casually eats a tiny bit of food like he did not feel hungry at all. That is impressive.

[@gabrielrockman]

@@pccalcio He still has a long walk back to the base camp. He knows better than to eat a lot of food. Eating a lot of food before walking a long distance isn't wise.

[@KoOkiEzRoCkz]

6:46 Theres something profoundly beautiful about that. I can only imagine the joy of experiencing the kind of happiness Alex mustve felt after spending years mastering his craft for that one ultimate goal.

[@diojan4610]

I thought climbing without a rope on a vertical mountain wall was just a movie thing until I watched this documentary. I think Alex is a living superman, he is a legend.

[@ciepularys]

Alex climbing El Capitan is the most astonishing thing I have ever seen in my life

[@stevieporteous]

Watch the docu/film Last Breath. That will blow you away too.

[@zdrumdude]

I heard someone say, “ after 50-70 ft. Any fall is death”. This dude is the greatest athlete I’ve seen. And I’m old. Epitome of badass. Crew as well. Congrats on Oscar win! Well deserved.

[@trequor]

Not necessarily, but possibly. There have been 13 recorded survivors of unassisted freefall. We're talking about people falling out of airplanes. The odds are astronomical, but people do survive

[@David-ud9ju]

@Nicholas Davis Yeah, the trees could help him but he'd have to be extremely lucky.

[@davidconlee2196]

Fee solo was the most intense movie experience I've ever had. Even knowing that he survives I was so nervous the entire time he was ascending. Watching this little clip brought back all of those feelings. What a wild experience. I still don't know what to make of it. The filming of this is incredible and callous all at once. It wouldn't be possible for me to film it (assuming I had the relevant skill set). Congrats on an absolutely amazing film making accomplishments.

[@austinfinley5521]

I want an hour of this. So so so sooo cool to hear/see the process

[@believe8263]

Thankfully they didn't have to go with an alternate ending for this movie.

[@ms.fish1238]

Be Lieve uhhhh someone put this own cursed comments

[@believe8263]

@@ms.fish1238 English please.

[@givebread8279]

@@believe8263 english please

[@believe8263]

@@givebread8279 Please stop eating paint chips.

[@Catstew]

@@believe8263 why? They taste so good

[@prana2231]

My palms are literally drenched...

[@rayankhan6305]

Prana honestly, I vomited on my sweater already

[@rayankhan6305]

WaterMark perhaps

[@hobochannel100]

WaterMark idk I think you keep on forgetting

[@ceasar-]

David bettancourt what he wrote down?

[@maddy4530]

omg same wth🥵

[@Gndlf_TheOrange]

Watched this again yesterday and was sweating watching it. Unbelievable. Also a fantastic effort by this crew. Not only is it a hard job as it is, but the stress of something going wrong 😫

[@arharshalpatwardhan1452]

This is a person who has real guts. Hats off to you man. You have real balls of steel. You are a real hero in my eyes.

[@lllMPower]

Uhh Alex, we didn't get footage of you during the Boulder Problem, can you do it again?

[@itaigolan7586]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@mattyjohnsson257]

In the film there's a close-up of his hand during the boulder problem. However, it's not a zoomed in long shot, the camera is really up close. Then it cuts out and there's no camera near. Just wondering how they got that shot. If it's an insert they took when he rehearsed it or something. I think it's just after the karate-kick move. It's the only shot in the sequence that kind of stands out a bit. And no, it's not the remote-camera, it's a single handheld shot, right by his hand.

[@jstgoalkeeping]

@@mattyjohnsson257all the super close up shots were shot beforehand with ropes

[@andergliding]

I once climbed my 6ft apple tree, friends thought that was amazing.

[@Sylar1991]

Without ropes?! You absolute MADMAN!

[@tomggabin5838]

Anderson James is being humble--he was less than a year old when he did it!

[@andergliding]

@@tomggabin5838 hahaha

[@VirtuelleWeltenMitKhan]

Yeah, it is amazing.

[@Live-Life-Freely]

You da G.O.A.T.

[@rambler3080]

I can’t even watch a video on the making of a documentary of the climb without having panic attack like symptoms. Simply the most brilliant feat of human athletics in history and that’s not even accounting for the mental component.

[@timmeinshausen6060]

One of the greatest films I’ve ever witnessed. An incredible undertaking by all involved. Bravo!

[@TacoStacks]

My hands are sweating....

[@humphreybutterclump8742]

same i must be ill

[@maddy4530]

omg i am too wth

[@jothugs]

knees weak arms are heavy

[@itzpitahoning1571]

@@jothugs was searching for this comment

[@econaturadesign9186]

and your channel is dead

[@milkoalexandrov3283]

Alex is one of those extremely rare human beings that just show the rest of the world what we humans are capable of doing if we have strong will, determination and last but not least - huuuuuge balls.... Respect Alex!

[@selectjed1]

@Jerome Simpson wtf are you on about

[@selectjed1]

@Jerome Simpson didn't realise you were an NPC, sorry I'll move on

[@micksta945]

true but this guy is definitely built different to the rest of us

[@milkoalexandrov3283]

@@micksta945 👍especially mentally...

[@Felisargyle]

He’s afraid he just controls it

[@dylanogden3075]

I remember watching this documentary it was simply amazing he's the only person to ever do this I was at awe watching this man climb up el Capt with no ropes in under 4hrs much respect to Alex

[@StijnJansen_]

Ive wachted this documentary 4 times or so, and I get chills every time he makes it through the boulder problem!!!

[@Smoove_J]

It’s so intense, I have to put down my Cheetos until its over.

[@dutchmiller2657]

I am a tree climber. I do utility forestry. Climbing trees is a major part of my job. When I was kid, I climbed trees in my backyard. My parents would regularly find me 50 60ft up a tree to their dismay. I fell once about 30 ft up. I paniced, closed my eyes and fell. I did plinko all the way the bottom and walked away with a broken arm. Anyways, climbing is something I am not unaccustomed to. But I will tell you this.. There are STILL times when I get about 50ft up a tree, and lock up. Suddenly stricken with fear and unable to look down. Squeazing the tree with all my strength. After a short time it passes.. I remember I trust my skills and relax. What this guy is doing is unimaginable to me. Nerves of steel mean something else here. If you made it even halfway and lost your nerves thats it. No tree limbs to hang on to. You are done here on earth. My hats off to this man.

[@bibothor206]

on another of his free solo he once talked about starting to freak out mid climbing while on a ledge... He is still human he just has very high goals he wants to acheive and is willing to battle his fears and anxiety to do it

[@shaneoleary775]

U need a new job man

[@colinsullivan8370]

@@shaneoleary775 lmao big facts this dude sus

[@jessa.3857]

Alex is extraordinary! I don't think anyone anytime soon will do what he did climbing El Cap!

[@jstn05]

@@colinsullivan8370 Is that you Hamz? lmao

[@okaycoyi.]

If someone had a gun to my head and said "Free Solo Climb El Cap!!" I'd be like just pull the mf'ing trigger homie I ain't doing that

[@Valmarn]

You'd be more likely to survive the bullet.

[@davec8153]

@@Valmarn Nah, he is more likely to survive the free solo fall. He'll fall at 30cm off the ground.

[@nsquezada27]

@@davec8153 are you allowed to stop once you've fell? If that's the case I'd trip getting my foot up to the first hold

[@mikesanto69]

Oh ain't it...lol

[@whome1636]

100%

[@drinkingpoolwater]

Alex Honnold is an exceptional human. literally one of humanity’s greatest achievements right here.

[@johnwayne7673]

not as exceptional as my package

[@kiabtoomlauj6249]

He really is. There are much harder climbs in gym and other less dangerous places where, if you fall, you only get hurt, at most, but this is different. Adam Ondra, for example, is more gifted, stronger, and more technical than any other climber in climbing ultra difficult situations; but even he is UNLIKELY to attempt free soloing Al Cap. THAT is Alex level of personal achievement. There will, in the not-too-distance future, more people arriving in Mars than climbers free soloing El Capitan in Yosemite, California. There may be one or two more daring souls willing to follow Alex Honnold's footsteps in the future; but the number won't be a big one.

[@tommyshelby4803]

There should be a documentary of this documentary. Amazing mental and physical accomplishment and amazing photography

[@anweshthapa6284]

“Stopped to look at his phone” how do you even do that

[@thegoodkind_0]

If you watch follow ups with Alex he stashed food and water on the climb, so he had places to rest.

[@twiltot]

Check out how they hang with one hand as “resting”!

[@ryanshannon7703]

Yeah, depending upon the hand and foot holds available, it's not that difficult. Dropping the phone could be a problem, but that's a different problem.

[@hpesojnalra]

@@thegoodkind_0 where can I find the footages

[@filipedrumond]

I love how real they talk about the project without trying to sell it. So professional, yet so human. Grate storytellers!

[@joer8273]

This comment is pure class. Says a lot about you and your respect for the creative process. Good stuff.

[@DC-rm9qm]

Grate?

[@filipedrumond]

@@DC-rm9qm ?

[@devvv4616]

The content just sells itself

[@melvinost8272]

@@devvv4616 init. there's some weird comments on this thread

[@octaviolove]

My heart almost popped out of my chest watching Free Solo and I was tucked down in my bed. How can Alex climb with those huge balls of him draging him down!!?? ABSOLUTE MADNESS!!

[@coltonheyen350]

These two are so well spoken and clear with their words, no wonder the documentary was so good

[@nicelydone8017]

If you have ever even looked at El Capitan with your own eyes you can sense the incredible greatness of Alex’s accomplishment. It wasn’t just reckless abandon, but an accumulation of training, experience and preparedness that brought Alex to this level of expertise. We should all respect this climb as one of the top athletic feats and human achievements in history.

[@9avedon]

Err .......... no , He had all the benefits of modern technology at his disposal. He climbed and had watched other climbers literally hundreds of times before, at , El Capitan. Hundreds of climbs are done every year at this very place.

[@inquisitvem6723]

beats climbing mt. everest easily!!!!!!!!!!!

[@nicelydone8017]

9avedon haha

[@9avedon]

Your a big Lance Armstrong fan as well ?

[@nicelydone8017]

9avedon 😂

[@CapturedByKen]

I would be absolutely petrified if I had to film/capture this ...not because of the height, but because of potentially seeing something go terribly wrong and having that image imprinted in my mind forever

[@zk9043]

@Collin Bell imagine waiting for your friends face to pop up at the top but never seeing it, or hearing him shout falling off

[@janakubickova2526]

It is in the movie that the cameraman on the ground doing the long shot was turned around not watching for the worst parts of the climb

[@zk9043]

@@janakubickova2526 yeah in the hardest parts they set up the camera because it made him nervous that his friends could see him die

[@RageDaug]

100%. This is exactly why I won't watch anything if the performer prefaces their act with "If I make the slightest mistake I'll probably die". Unfortunately there are enough morbidly curious folks out there that some folks get famous not dying, but sometimes more famous when they do.

[@jaketoffen2454]

This film was absolutely insane. You are on the edge of your seat the entire time. Its unfathomable to picture yourself on that rock face so high up with no rope. Simply incredible.

[@roAsty057]

It's unfathomable for most people to picture themselves on that rock face so high up WITH A ROPE.

[@brookem2610]

Jimmy Chin you are just amazing, your climbing skills are beautiful and your filmmaking is enthralling. I follow everything you produce, and am overjoyed to watch. The Nat Geo article and the coverage of free solo was superb. Thanks for being so open and sharing with your marvelous accomplishments.

[@1tonofclay]

I would have gotten 30 feet up, look down and pass out.

[@coolopinion]

AXioS TraLLö literally when they were talking about the freeblast I was panicking like wtf. I would start walking towards it and call it quits

[@yeetusdeletus188]

Councilman Les Wynan i could never go caving , imagine getting stuck and just waiting for help, but they can’t get you out in time....

[@1tonofclay]

@Councilman Les Wynan I've been free solo craving actually. It was soooo sketch after you get down there but there's a point where its just like "ok, do this or you die."

[@Julian-ed3rj]

Trumps wall is 30ft

[@willygrags4367]

you would have fallen before 30 feet. this is not an easy climb.

[@Rikkiii222]

People are complaining that "there isn't enough of him climbing!" "it's got too much about his girlfriend" blah blah blah, are really missing the point of the whole documentary. If it was intended to be a movie about him purely climbing it, they'd just release what they have of him climbing. So many people overlook the psychology and preparation behind something like this and get dissapointed because "there wasn't enough climbing". Appreciate what was put into the actual climb and the things Alex went through, that's what the documentary aimed to highlight. There's thousands of videos of people free soloing so go watch them. They showed what they did in this movie and to me it was a perfect representation of what Alex had to go through. They showed the hardest parts and what he struggled with which were the most interesting and showed parts of him climbing. In a way the movie perfectly parallels the situation. Alex spent YEARS preparing for this only for it to be a four hour climb which is shown through us watching an hour of a documentary for about 20 minutes of it to be the climb. But if you still sit there and say it's a waste of time then you missed the point of this entirely.

[@uw91]

The girlfriend pissed my wife off. 'IT'S HIS FRICKIN GOAL TO CLIMB IT, LEAVE HIM THE EFF ALONE!!!'.... well done, babe, put her in her place.

[@failedGraphics]

@@uw91 So you're telling me the if your wife chooses to do something that could almost certainly kill her over just living a happy life with you, you wouldn't be just a tad bit upset. It's one thing to be supportive, but to just sit quietly and not tell them how you feel about them potentially dying just shows a lack of self-respect. And to be honest, Alex's lack of empathy for her was a little worrying until you realize the type of upbringing he had. So either your wife didn't comprehend the dangers very well or she also lacks empathy.

[@sinenomine6081]

Whats the point of them just basically showing all the “preparetions” if theyre not going to show the actual thing??

[@3_14thon7]

Yeah they were trying to fi a drama, not a sport documentary =}}

[@kebab.productions]

@@3_14thon7 because it is Not a sport documentary its about Alex

[@richardnesbitt9885]

Hands down best documentary ever constantly sweating watching that mad man alex do that

[@alanluscombe8a553]

Ive been next to a friend that died in the army infantry and it was no fun, being the camera man next to him if he were to fall, They most definitley were more nervous than alex plus if he were to fall you are still on the climb and have to finish. Hats off to all involved in this project much respect

[@YouFightLikeACow]

Free Solo is one of the best movies of 2018. I highly recommend it.

[@coreygardner59]

Agree. Saw it today. Amazing.

[@TehAlex2310]

Where can you watch it?

[@ThomasBrubach]

@@TehAlex2310 Look at their website, but they are doing a limited IMAX run this week. I just saw it yesterday, it was excellent.

[@ryancunniff8296]

I thought it was a documentary?

[@RosablueHandMade]

In my top three for the Best Movie Oscar. At the very least it should be nominated.

[@prasannp7]

Getting sweaty hands just watching this. Great job to the filmmakers for creating this very compelling well-told doc.

[@garrettk7166]

My knees are weak

[@CreosAbsolute]

@@garrettk7166 arms are heavy

[@florencek9526]

CreosAbsolute there’s vomit in his sweatshirt already

[@Andytlp]

People with next to no self preservation. Something in the brain.

[@chestercallahan8856]

Alex is such a humble guy, a truly great human being!

[@guitarjam2178]

Alex: *Free solos Half Dome* Also Alex: "Hold my beer" *Free solos El Capitan*

[@UseHerNiem]

They really need to release the unedited footage of the climb. I'd love to just watch/listen to the raw organic video.

[@Fake.User.]

and the fact that's what us climbers actually wanted to see instead of an hour of his girlfriend crying hahaha

[@LindtBunny]

I saw this in IMAX in Melbourne...I thought it was terrific. But the music was a bit overpowering. Just the sound of him climbing up would have been enough! But still...10/10 top movie well done to all involved ESPECIALLY ALEX!!!!

[@2purdy319]

Mick Foley Yessssss they need to post this!!

[@JBacon1698]

I'm going to wait for the bloopers and out-takes..

[@andrewn.5117]

You don't think he just climbed parts of it free solo do you? I mean I know that's a stretch but you never really know what people will do for money. They could of gave him rope for the parts they didn't put on movie

[@JulienGarros]

Jimmy is an incredible photographer and DP.

[@TheGhostOfFredZeppelin]

@Brasdam DP lol

[@076657]

DP? Double Penetrator?

[@philorgneopolotin8762]

passerell glad I’m not the only one with a f***ed up mind

[@joshsquash9917]

Nothing like someone good at DP

[@Mr.Hyde_23]

It's a miracle he's still alive too after being caught in that avalanche.

[@Bergen98]

I just finished this amazing documentary. Sad that can't find anything as good as this one (yet). Well-deserved Oscar

[@JackMenendez]

That was a superb presentation by these two individuals. Thank you.

[@mmmcculloch3]

6:32 He bought his phone...and looked at it???

[@ExtremehamJkd]

he said in his GQ "10 Things" video that he brings it with him on his climbs to look at pictures of the route.

[@uw91]

Seriously. He pulled his phone out at 2800 feet?!?! I can't take my phone out while on the toilet without feeling like it's going for a flush. Dude is one of the greatest athletes of all time. Complete mastery.

[@Nautilus1972]

@Jacob Dawson In certain ways he is. His amygdala shuts down. They show this in the movie.

[@seymourglass26]

Would a paper map have been easier?

[@highspeedhiasl]

@@seymourglass26 try to handle a paper map with one Hand and you have your answer

[@DBPCINC]

The thing about climbing is that you have to do it with the least amount of ego but the most confidence

[@jaycepero8069]

I’ve seen Free Solo a few times and the montage of dead climbers never gets any easier to watch. What these people do is astonishing, and they often pay the ultimate price. I can’t imagine what their family and friends go through. Godspeed.

[@neoniki30]

I love Jimmy's voice and the way he explains things. I could listen to him for hours and hours.

[@piercebagby2421]

Congrats on the Oscar guys!

[@cyrilgomez]

wow.they won ? they deserve it

[@sixkiller9240]

I was searching a video of the oscar but could not find one ;(

[@nataliefreeman5237]

Josh D what in the world are you talking about? what about the speech was “sjw?”

[@corvus2512]

Im sorry but what are you talking about? She takes all of 3 seconds in her speech to thank National Geographic for giving minorities a chance to make films... thats it. It was literally a few seconds out of her speech and you talk about mind control and say her entire speech was propaganda? Also so what? Do you have a problem with minorities getting a chance to make a film? Or are you saying that historically disenfranchised people actually weren’t disenfranchised at all and there were tons of women and minorities making films throughout the 40s 50s and 60s? I read an article slamming alex for not talking about the struggle of native americans to keep their homes around Yosemite throughout U.S. history, that was ridiculous sjw sabre rattling (though recognizing native americans historical treatment by the U.S. is a good thing, it had nothing to do with this movie or alex) but taking 3 seconds to thank nat geo for giving a woman and a nonwhite man (historically disenfranchised people) the chance to make this film is fine unless you think they shouldnt be allowed to make films....

[@Bosilaify]

@@corvus2512 bro ur triggered

[@omkarrajebhosale4153]

I've been on top of the Eiffel Tower and I swear the massive velocity of the wind at that height could have easily blown away a 60kg man. All respect to Alex Hoonold for maintaing balance at such a huge height.

[@tryitout-701]

Imagine 3 times that

[@AthenaGate]

It depends on the day, and the surrounding environment. They probably waited for a mild day. I have been to the top of half dome, it had almost no wind.

[@bogdanalexandrustefan5395]

And on top of the Eiffel Tower you're exposed, Alex was surrounded mostly by cliffs, by the mountain itself.

[@reytsyel]

Alex said the wind doesn’t really matter because of the vast space around. Unlike in cities where there are other tall structures that compressed the wind if it is blowing hard.

[@techyrock]

@@reytsyel was about to say that, in cities air is ventilating through skyscrapers

[@swingingcrow124]

Why do I feel I’ve seen this lady in the movies. She has an amazing aura when she talks

[@jayvee4787]

Siiiiiiiimmmpppp

[@swingingcrow124]

@@jayvee4787 says the kid with Minnie Mouse music video

[@jayvee4787]

@@swingingcrow124 A project I made years ago, with my daughter.... Ha ha. Whew you really got me good.

[@swingingcrow124]

@@jayvee4787 I hope your daughter is doing great !

[@limuelsanchez6315]

and then the director says "man thats ugly shot, take two"

[@321turn6]

*my soul has left the chat*

[@nofood1]

🤣🤣🤣

[@TKSC_NYC]

back

[@danb4811]

"..and he looked at his phone.." hey I'm 3000 feet about the ground with no ropes, lemme check my texts.

[@allielee]

well he was timing himself HAHA

[@daedalron]

He most likely pulled his phone in a "secure" position. There are places in the climb where you can take a pause, like small ledges. (like for example where we see the unicorn guy in the movie). If he was near a spot like that, it isn't that dangerous to pull out your phone to check time.

[@danb4811]

Yea, that makes sense. Brb gonna go free solo el cap.

[@diulikadikaday]

@@daedalron can I ask why you don’t just wear a watch?

[@daedalron]

@@diulikadikaday Alex wasn't wearing a watch. My guess is he prefers to not have anything on his arms that could get tangled with the rocks as he climb?

[@MartinV.]

Great Video!! Crazy footage and amazing accomplishments all the way around!!

[@hindsagarvlogsIndia]

Truly inspirational!!