Before Free Solo (Full Episode) | Edge of the Unknown with Jimmy Chin

[@bryant_weather]

"The correct way to manage fear, is to gradually broaden your comfort zone". One of the best quotes I have ever heard.

[@DarraghQuinn-d8o]

Fear has a purpose. It keeps you alive. Mr Honnold may not live for much longer. Though few of us will ... But Marc Andre LeClerc lost his life aged 25. Food for thought.

[@tonyducks1121]

​@@DarraghQuinn-d8oExcept Marc Andre LeClerc and his buddy lost their lives during an unanticipated avalanche which occurred on a routine roped climb. Not by doing any extremely risky free solo stuff.

[@lucamigliorini4925]

Anche io la penso così nello stesso tempo però penso che honnold abbia una capacità psicologica impressionante. Se fossi suo padre penso che impazzirei dal terrore di perdere un figlio quasi come un genitore di un tossico.argomento difficile lo so ,lunga vita alex divertiti

[@tristanfirepro]

@@DarraghQuinn-d8o Marc Andre LeClerc didn't die climbing though, it was an avalanche that killed him, which is not something fear could've prepared anyone for.

[@meanmachinearmwrestling8726]

@@DarraghQuinn-d8o due to an avalanche though, not a climbing mistake

[@dddon513]

Can't believe it's been almost 7 years since the El Cap solo and around 15 since bro burst on the scene. Time flies. He's like 40 with kids now.

[@tuftofflowers]

exactly!!!

[@Mike-01234]

Last 4 years zipped by.

[@joshuabennett8110]

I wish the actual 3plus hour footage of the free solo of El Capitan was released. To see that from beginning to end would be interesting, considering in the film we only get to see a half hour of the climb. Flew my mom out to California for her 70th birthday in January 2020,went to Yosemite, and after seeing El Capitan in person, I still wonder how Alex did that.

[@nobytes2]

Everything is achievable in life, most people assume Alex is a different kind of human being I mean he is, but people fail to realize he's been training for solos his entire life that's nearly 2 decades. He didn't just woke up one day day and went up el Cap.

[@natec599]

He pooped.

[@overkill1994]

​@@natec5991000% big ol' poo

[@davidgonzales180]

I once asked Jimmy if they could or would do that. Aside from the footage shot from the valley floor, he said they used just about everything.

[@themeatpopsicle]

they didn't film this like your friend at the crag filming your single-pitch sport climb. there's probably 15-20+ hours of footage from all the cameras, and those cameras are going on and off all the time. probably several sections of Honnold just standing on a ledge for 15 minutes at a time.

[@Shinoku911]

watching this just before i go to free solo some V2 boulders in the gym

[@dereklance4184]

literally

[@sirris4330]

he is hands down the most amazing athlete to ever exist on the planet. No question, he should be even more famous than he is. It's just incredible. I get chills just watching him. The free solo of el cap is the greatest achievement in sports history.

[@HarderSenpai]

ok bro chill lol

[@cappy2282]

I agree. He should, at very least, be one of the most "highly paid and sponsored" athletes. Whatever North face is paying him, it's not enough

[@jay8940]

@@HarderSenpai shhhh

[@twylacantwell2762]

Agree

[@dan6151]

Oh sure, he's on the same level as Venus Williams, or Wayne Gretzky, etc... PUHLEEEZ.

[@HasansWanderings]

Alex Honnold and Jimmy Chin these two are always an inspiration for hard pursuits.

[@themooseontheloose]

Amazing! Now give us the FULL UNEDITED 3 HOURS of Honnald Climbing El Cap!

[@DrMatthewHudson]

Why haven't we seen this yet?!

[@Half-CockedG]

@@DrMatthewHudson I think that footage is owned by Alex and or his camera guys. I don't think Nat Geo has a say in that. Pretty valuable shots i would assume.

[@BostonsF1nest]

@@Half-CockedG that footage is 100% owned by Nat Geo lol

[@bradleydavies335]

There is no three hour footage to my knowledge, he’s explained that he climbed the easy parts as a redo for the camera but the whole route was done without cameras

[@UncleRicoOSU]

@@bradleydavies335stop spreading this false information “The production team captured 700 hours of footage using 12 cameras. This included cameramen on the ground, cameramen on the cliff face, remote trigger cameras, and a helicopter with a 1,000 mm lens to capture the 4k video.”

[@aatt3209]

Bottomless gratitude to my climbing friends who taught me to face my fear and feel 300% alive after a climb. I was a completely different person after seven years of weekend trips hanging out with climbers who knew the true meaning of courage. Love to everyone who climbed, is climbing, and will climb, at whatever level to fulfill your destiny. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

[@TheSubieFan]

Same massive respect to the people that took me on my first bit of rock. Definitely changed my life forever.

[@wilfinley]

100% - well said

[@Nuttyirishman85]

We are a rare breed. Climb on!

[@savage1469]

Bro stop acting like your a climber 😂😂😂

[@johnlugo8891]

​@@savage1469hahahaha

[@dychui]

Jimmy Chin is such an inspiration as a photographer and person. It’s always such a pleasure to see his works and even more so with world class athletes and nice dudes like Honnold and Caldwell

[@政徹武]

Alex Honnold is definitely the greatest rock climber in the history of humanity !!! The world just starts to understand and appreciate his super human achievement !!!

[@imetzl9340]

In terms of pure technical ability and strength its gotta be Ondra. but Ondra and Honold have very different approaches to climbing and cant really be compared to reach other.

[@ann-kathrinfischer6763]

I'd bet you good money that he himself would absolutely refuse that label. He has very publicly stated that he is neither the strongest nor the best technical climber. Which doesn't take away from his achievements but the label wouldn't really fit.

[@urianbailey57]

Marc-André Leclerc in my eyes was the Greatest of all time. He completed feats that the free solo world has never seen.

[@michaelcollums4197]

Alex is so underrated as an athlete, this climb is still one of the most amazing things any human has done, most don't understand how difficult and dangerous this climb was with no safety ropes, one mistake and he would fall to his death. The mental aspect of this climb is off the charts It still gives me chills every time I watch it.

[@Tobez]

I could watch Alex H documentaries all day. Always interesting

[@532soldier]

"Are we living the life we want to live?" Great question!

[@alaarajab1945]

Me no!!!

[@fanohiwa2434]

Les élites franc maçonne sont là, ils sont excellents dans leurs travaux de conditionnement humain et formatage, paix et amour 😁❤️💪

[@billybe12]

Not yet, Not yet...

[@532soldier]

After finishing this video, I thought about this question for a while. I decided I wasn't spending enough time doing fun social activities. I resolved to do something fun and social daily. Since then I've only missed two days--including a snowboard trip with my best friend, teaching chess to a 4-year old, great conversations, funny movies, and more.

[@DarraghQuinn-d8o]

By not climbing up El Kap without safety measures? Absolutely. You want Marc Andre LeClercs life? Be my guest

[@Slowhand871]

The crazy part is Jimmy Chin is world class . He’s doing it with cameras.

[@red_hair_oppa]

Lol

[@christianefiorito3204]

And he is so humble. I loved to see Meru

[@shorttripfromcradletocript]

I had to manage fear almost ever day of my professional life as an interventional cardiologist taking care of heart attack victims. A person's life was on the line and every aspect of doing the procedure was fraught with difficulty, if I failed to do several maneuvers I wouldn't get the heart artery open. As I did these procedures, in the back of my mind was a picture of the victim's family waiting to see if their loved one would survive and I'd open the artery. I managed that fear by visualizing everything I needed to do and knew I could do it if I stayed focused.It's all about switching your mind to a state of maximum focus, There is nothin else in your mind but this focus and it brings success. I also have done some climbing and ski mountaineering in the Tetons and Alps. That was a whole different type of fear as it was now my own life on the line and it was harder to put the fear in the back of my mind, acknowledge it, but keep going, stay focused and don't let the fear affect your performance. Alex has reached a whole new level in dealing with fear and I've never seen anyone else life him.

[@onemorething100]

All about you.

[@mrbeans2425]

Absolute animals.... jimmy is a Legend and Alex is not Human! And not to mention all the free solos he has done that NOONE knows about!

[@targettony1122]

Alex with his band of compatriots. Jimmy Chin and Tommy. I don't think that Jimmy gets enough credit for his unreal shots in extreme climbing.

[@MrTibor26]

1:25 Might be the most epic shot ever when you realise he is hanging there without a rope

[@pinefilms3141]

and the red shirt to contrast the earthly greens and blues too! incredible in so many ways, like not only Alex Hannold climbing those mountains with no rope, but us being able to watch this so conveniently and in such high definition because of the advanced technology we have access to

[@josuerivera7008]

Es cierto esa toma fue espectacular y al mismo tiempo asombrosa y terrorifica este tipo es realmente increible

[@johnkaylor8670]

That was my take on it the moment I saw it. In fact it took me many seconds to fully realize what I was looking at. I then I stared at it in literal AWE. To me it's almost unbelievable even though you know it's real.

[@Justafew4U]

This guy is a true legend.

[@MarcusAurelius7777]

Also was arguably a suicidal psycho in his twenties...

[@DrRockso0]

I know Alex made the climb for Free Solo. I watched his TedTalk. But the last 20 mins of that movie, my fingers were gripped to the theatre seat. And sweaty palms. What an achievement.

[@mls01981]

As a climber, I'm grateful to live in the era of guys like Honnold, Tommy, Ondra, etc... Thinking about the exponential achievements since the legends before them -- Royal Robbins, John Bachar, Jim Bridwell -- it's hard to imagine where the next progression will be. I hope Nat Geo continues to repurpose unseen footage from Free Solo for our enjoyment. Maybe one day they will release an uncut video of Honnold's ascent of Freerider!

[@dddon513]

Jim Bridwell. Not John.

[@mls01981]

@@dddon513 Thanks. A bit intoxicated when I wrote this. Surprised it made any sense at all!

[@BostonsF1nest]

RIP Dean Potter. RIP Marc-Andre LeClerc.

[@ArousMaster]

"The correct way to manager fear, I think, is to gradually broaden your comfort zone until your comfort zone includes things that previously seemed impossible" Alex Honnold probably has the biggest comfort zone the human ever had.

[@jhjet510]

Alex, Jimmy, and Tommy are such an inspiration. I love these guys!

[@baconx6476]

Alex has to be one of the most ballistic athlete there is. Everytime I watch him, I'm just in awe.

[@briancrawford69]

Living in Fresno I'm very close to Yosemite and have been there lots. The thought of climbing El Cap and half dome with no rope is almost unfathomable

[@wsbygt]

I saw the movie on a big screen, it´s amazingly beautiful and nerve-racking.

[@Khumbu0609]

That's the ONLY way to see that movie! I drove over the Sierra for 4 hours to see it in a theater in Mammoth, because the movie wasn't playing anywhere else in NorCal, and I did NOT want to watch it online.

[@MileStonety]

Even watching this the palms on my hands are wet.

[@Invertmini1212]

Beyond soaked.... My feet literally wouldn't stop 😂

[@BrianS-ny9yd]

Indeed! I'm sketched out viewing it on my phone.

[@ctsean]

Dude you gotta chalk up before sitting down on the couch to watch these.

[@johnkaylor8670]

One personal aspect of Alex that gets me is his bright, alert intelligence and full presence of mind. I could understand him better - meaning his deliberate pursuit of this ludicrously dangerous activity - if he were sort of dull witted and nerdly focused on it as some simple-minded hobby fanatic might be. I could say to myself 'well he's obviously not the brightest and doesn't fully realize, or appreciate, the scope of the dangers'. But that's not the case here. Alex is quite bright mentally and fully aware of everything involved. To the point that he can elaborate in detail his events most impressively. Put differently, his eyes are FULLY WIDE OPEN about all of this - and he does it anway. Amazing.

[@fredericfouache9405]

This guy , sorry , ALEX , is incredible , down to earth , humble , a pleasure to watch and listen , this is the kind of guy and sport that should earn millions and I am sure it isn't the case !!!!

[@mgn1985]

the end is the best conclusion of a wonderful life story. Alex is the greatest athlete fisicaly and mentaly that this generation and the world has seen till now. what an example we have!!!!

[@brananddandi]

Great film! Well done Alex and Jimmy and crew!!!

[@blechagolf]

the sighs of relief when he topped el cap is crazy

[@someguy1424]

Sooo glad this content is free

[@LBVFISH]

Before Free Solo and Free Solo were amazing...I've rewatched them so many times already

[@OhMyLarryFishing]

Comment section needs to show some love to Tommy Caldwell AKA Mr. Dawn Wall!

[@michaelgehringmusic8440]

IMHO Alex is the GREATEST ATHLETE OF ALL TIME.

[@ohsweetmystery]

Exceptional athlete plus superhuman mental strength makes Alex one-of-a-kind.

[@sirris4330]

absolutely no question

[@EdwardBohanan-md6jw]

Watching these guys grow over the years is so absolutely amazing.

[@iamandrewyang]

i find it wild that some climbers train their entire lives to climb mountains that alex simply 'trains' on. unreal talent.

[@johnkaylor8670]

Well put. That fact clarifies just how out of their class Alex is.

[@Georgann-x3l]

Thank you all for uploading, thought the peak was wider than that!❤🦋🙏🏻

[@timothykangethe7700]

Watching this is Terrifying for the average guy on the street...meaning everyone. Alex's sheer tenacity, focus and the incredible ability of managing Fear is out of this world 💐 🎇

[@ayuminor]

Honnold about whether to free solo or not: "Maybe you should go with your emotion rather than logic" Chin: "Alex is one of the most calculated people I know" Not to undermine Chin, was just funny how close those two scenes were in the film 😄

[@saisaivipa]

Haha, yes. I think both are true. He’s very calculated in his training and planning, but ultimately trusted his gut on whether he’s ready to do it or not.

[@JacquesKallis-dg5mv]

So glad I watched this! Thanks Alex and Jimmy for the inspiration ✌🏽.

[@bertalangyorgyszigeti7126]

Alex Honnold calling that slackliner a "crazy french guy" had me burst out in laughter 😂. He might lack some self-critique😅

[@janekmundt579]

I can only imagine if the French slackliner had heard that he’d be in tears laughing

[@bertalangyorgyszigeti7126]

@@janekmundt579 and for normal people, both are anyway madmen :')

[@DonkeyYote]

Alex can call that guy crazy. Alex is an expert on crazy.

[@doodledude4900]

Absolutely incredible!!! 👏

[@DecepticonsDCz]

I think about this climb almost everyday, this is the most impressive human feat in history.. i cannot think of anything more impressive then this is ANY sport or physical achievement. unreal i cant get over this lol

[@sirris4330]

I completely agree, as someone who is mildly afraid of heights it seems even more impossible.

[@ArrivaIlNonno]

Amazing video 👍Thanks

[@philippkeks3785]

10:53 ..“the reality couldn’t be further from the truth“.. What a uniquely profound statement.

[@tina00017]

Alex H and Tommy Caldwell, two of the most amazing climbers, Love to watch them both climb.

[@vanessadebrino7231]

I sure hope Alex is getting paid well for his accomplishments. I've been watching him for years and there's no one more deserving. His videos are the only ones Ive watched where my heart rate spikes

[@sunshinemybrain9042]

He only climbs for fame and money so yes im sure he is.

[@chrisgodsey8481]

@sunshinemybrain9042 this is a wild statement. Sounds like you’re unhappy

[@sunshinemybrain9042]

@@chrisgodsey8481 😂😂 his words bud

[@KenAnderson-i5b]

Okay but what gives him the fame? Its doing these amazingly, unfathomably, badass achievements. He gets fortune for impressing us. Why is that a bad thing??@@sunshinemybrain9042

[@MartonMToth]

@@sunshinemybrain9042where did he say it?

[@joshuapatrick682]

just watching Alex on the walls makes my stomach twist into knots and despite the discomfort I feel compelled to watch because there is no master that is not enthralling when they are performing their craft.

[@livvlivetv7662]

Love Watching These

[@drcrocodile1]

In some ways, this free solo seems more sketchy that his solo of El Cap. His prep for El Cap was exhaustive, whereas this training climb seemed a tad rushed. Amazing climb, amazing climber.

[@BostonsF1nest]

What Alex did on El Cap was one of the greatest athletic accomplishments ever. But imo not the most impressive climbing feat ever. Adam Ondra sending “Silence” will always be the most amazing to me.

[@drcrocodile1]

@@BostonsF1nest Silence is incredible for sure. I wonder if we will ever see a free solo greater than El Cap tho. I'm certain we'll see a tougher new grade than Silence.

[@jonathonsmith8871]

@@drcrocodile1I am wondering this to. Do you know about any free soloists who are active?

[@hayeonkim7838]

Thanks for meaningful and valuable video as always ❤❤❤

[@kevincastillo868]

We need the uncut version, idk how long it actually took. But it be amazing to watch it all. 🎉

[@jeffgregory8758]

El Cap wasn't just a rock climbing feat but one , if not the, greatest athletic feats ever performed.

[@redbaboonass4416]

I would say 2nd greatest. The Greatest feat goes to Joey Chestnut in 2021 eating 76 Hot Dogs AND Buns in 10 minutes!!!!

[@wayne3594]

The route is only 5.13a so no. Just because it is done solo does not mean its more athletic. A mental feat yes, but not an athletic feat, it's climbed all the time.

[@redbaboonass4416]

@@wayne3594 Exactly!! That's why I posted the comment I posted.

[@jeffgregory8758]

@@wayne3594 not a climber at all but to the best of my knowledge no one else has done what Alex did in Yosemite. If there has been recreations of that climb he was the first. Anyone that will risk certain death if they make 1 slight mistake deserves all the accolades that come with such an accomplishment

[@jeffgregory8758]

@@wayne3594 And please, post the video of you climbing the same.wall as Alex so I can praise tour athletic ability.

[@barrymarootner504]

I’ve never worried more for a person I’ve never even met. Alex is amazing.

[@sherintv478]

Beautiful sharing my friend 👍💙💕👍💗🦋

[@scottperine8027]

I’m so grateful that I know who Alex is and his accomplishments before El Cap. He is truly a visionary in a very solo free climbing world and Jimmy Chin is his best choice to bring along because they both share the hand of God where fear is outnumbered by faith in what they do.

[@kikomanster8188]

Alex gave himself an 8/10 and sounds/looks not happy at all with his free solo performance is just crazy. He just came up casually once he got to the top like nothing big was done. He is special! I cant even climb a small tree without getting scared that I will fall off it. Lol. He looks like an ant just climbing up the wall.

[@francoisbm6785]

The champion mind set is truly amazing to witness. Glad we (mortals) got the opportunity to see that on film.

[@princequestly2218]

I can’t believe he went in free solo this wall just for practice months before El Capitan. 😳

[@fpvlegion]

I know he is alive, but my anxiety levels just roof up... Watching is just a constant struggle... Alex is somewhere on the Spectrum of some kind... Please be safe and be a living legend for many years to come, we dont need another memorial figure...

[@IntoverbC]

Dude is the a reason I started climbing

[@davidpyrcz8970]

AMAZING! I NEED A NAP AFTER WATCHING THIS! WOW!

[@noiseforthealgorithm4668]

Best way to my climbing weekend. thank you

[@jorymil]

I get nervous bouldering. There is something otherworldly about Alex Honnold. Just absolutely at the limit of what is possible. I don't want to go free solo more than my basement stairs, but you'd better believe I want to push myself to possibility.

[@nicktmt7838]

we are glad to have this person

[@pinefilms3141]

14:01 LOOK AT THE CAMERMAN SMILING!!! what an insane shot!!

[@MartinV.]

Jimmy Chin is the best !!!

[@professlord_]

Bro grip strength is on another level

[@U2EdgeFan]

Good to know that he's still alive before watching Free Solo.

[@MicheleParmigiani]

spectacular content

[@janekmundt579]

10:10 really shows the good influence Tommy is on Alex. After all that’s his reason for not free soloing any more. At some point it will just go wrong, so I think this attitude might have saved Alex’s life

[@user-kk2fb3dw8h]

Alex still solos, just not such difficult climbs. Check his video with magnus

[@yashaswisingh6077]

This shot at 1:20 is just crazy exposure !

[@veritas41photo]

Makes me nauseous just to see this most daring free climbing. How can they conquer their fear just to try this? Unbelievable if I did not see it; how was the camera able to get this? I guess they were rigged and belayed, but even so... It is difficult to give this a Thumbz Up, because it is upsetting. I guess I'll do it... Whew!

[@FerdinandTutorials]

This guy is not even afraid of death. He is the real MVP ❤

[@MichalOlender]

I wish I'll be able to film some kind of a project with any of these guy, that would be a dream come true!

[@Riyadagger]

He is an inspiration

[@tuftofflowers]

that's the friendship right there!

[@evrettej]

How cool was this? I felt like i was there. When he made it i felt like i was apart of the crew.

[@ysf-psfx]

Jimmy's filming is incredible.

[@dannys9811]

My hands are sweating watching this jeeeez dude!!😮

[@Dugar-III]

Alex calling the french tight roper crazy 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@micheledemars1406]

Exceptional

[@sharkusvelarde]

I guess it was all about the training, cause the big one was over in a minute!😮

[@incaseinever]

..if you become a father, that's your number one job..and he knows this truth, hats off

[@knightlautrec4311]

Every time I watch Alex free solo my palms get sweaty.

[@willemvanriet7160]

Alex… you ARE the next level!

[@joecam8928]

This guy is really gifted physically mentally the g.o.a.t

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

I watched this in preparation of free soloing the stairs to put my daughter to bed...it was fierce but we made it.

[@flexairz]

🤣🤣🤣

[@chichodormi4732]

Alex makes climbing look effortless

[@markwhite6782]

This brings back memories of when I climbed 4 steps up a ladder to get the frisbee off the roof. Yeah, me and Alex are in a class by ourselves. No ropes just guts.

[@michaelbradford4444]

The one and only one ....Alex Honnold !

[@ojayciao9652]

somewhere between calculated bravery and unnecessary chancing. Alex is great at free-soloing and climbing.

[@moreclips805]

Will raw footage ever be released of alexs el cap ascent?

[@KombatFlix]

This is crazy and amazing af

[@joerafonramagfon]

Hats off to You Sir🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@TheGreatKrystoff]

I desperately need the continuous 4 hour raw footage cut of the el cap climb released

[@Invertmini1212]

This is absolutely insane.... Even if you do everything right one cracked rock could spell death.. My feet and hands were sweating non stop.. 😅

[@maasicas]

The way they try to edit Alex in some places, to try to make him look worried and scared 😂

[@AvalonDreamz]

They climbed in THE DARK! Are ya kidding me? Thats just wild.

[@cre8tvedge]

That's been going on since the beginning of big wall climbing in the 1960s.