How I climbed a 3,000-foot vertical cliff -- without ropes | Alex Honnold | TED

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Imagine being by yourself in the dead center of a 3,000-foot vertical cliff -- without a rope to catch you if you fall. For professional rock climber Alex Honnold, this dizzying scene marked the culmination of a decade-long dream. In a hair-raising talk, he tells the story of how he summited Yosemite's El Capitan, completing one of the most dangerous free solo climbs ever.
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[@samjohnson5288]

He was probably more nervous delivering this speech than summiting el cap

[@alexossmann3332]

Hahahaha facts

[@chrisegan6671]

in Free Solo it said that he was so scared of talking to people that he started free soloing

[@huckleberrylachow2202]

There’s no doubt

[@user-ih1vb9ot1m]

He probably rehearsed the speech for the last 10 years

[@lw216316]

It has been said that public speaking is the number one fear most people have. I understand because when I was young I feared it greatly. I avoided taking any classes in school that required making a speech. An English class in college required a speech. I had no choice. My entire body shook. I sweated. My voice quivered. My face turned red. My heart was pounding. It was torture. Now I teach a Bible class at Church.

[@danieln5041]

In my opinion his climb is the single most impressive feat of athleticism in all of human history.

[@squierstrat9502]

I once ran 3 miles after eating a big mac without farting

[@scepts]

@@squierstrat9502 I drove 3 miles today. You could say I'm a professional

[@springersoon4541]

I have to disagree. In my opinion Ueli Steck with his 82 4000m Summits in 62 Dass is way more impressive regarding the athleticism. And regarding Alpinism Messner is unbeatable. But free soloing is still insane especially to watch

[@theknowlodge8294]

I totally agree with you.

[@theknowlodge8294]

springersoon - it's incredibly impressive, but could - and did - make a thousand mistakes along the way and still survive. Literally one mistake for Alex and it's fatal. That's why Alex's achievement is the more remarkable.

[@azophi]

This guy is the embodiment of “don’t practice until you get it right, practice until you can’t get it wrong”

[@doctort.quinlan4101]

That’s a really good wya to put it! Going to try to ingrain that in my mind \

[@windowsxp2255]

Reminds me of one of my favorite Super Smash Bros players. "If you're only frame perfect 99% of the time then you're not frame perfect."

[@ChickenJoe-tq6xd]

@@windowsxp2255 a smash bros player who sits on a computer all day reminds you of a super freak athlete who climbs huge mountains? 😂

[@Comica863]

Wow

[@extraslayar4585]

@@ChickenJoe-tq6xd Well they are both masters of their craft. The comment was based on the mindset of mastery not the similarity of the craft.

[@midnight.ramen.]

Imagine being a tourist at the top of a hiking trail and a guy just comes over the edge of the cliff with no ropes

[@colatf2]

I mean, it would make a lot more sense to assume hes just some random hiker too close to the edge than to think he just scaled the entire mountain

[@tickled41]

It was like that unicorn guy on the mountain

[@Davidman3976]

In the documentary that follows him in his climb, he passes by two dudes climbing El Capitán classic style. It's funny that he walks by their tent, without any other equipment than his clothes. It is a take from the ground, very far away, so you don't get to see their reaction.

[@meneither3834]

"Good Morning !"

[@roytv9722]

Lol hahaha

[@teti_99]

Death once had a near Alex experience.

[@sk8punk318]

Vic Diesel lol

[@blackscoped]

Noice

[@BB_The_Impaler]

Death came for Alex that day, looked up and said...nah not today

[@absurdseba]

Vic Diesel this comment is underrated

[@MrJackWorse]

my therapist tells me to not dive into the youtube comment section and she is right. but this! this is why i'm doing it. gold comment!

[@WithLoveMomPetSitting]

“I didn’t want to be a lucky climber. I wanted to be a great climber” is what makes him who he is.

[@dstarkspp]

He has that title….

[@farrel_ra]

@@dstarkspp agree, legend

[@Peter22334]

He said this year that almost all of his climbing friends are retired or dead. Can't be a lucky climber too often I guess

[@555dino]

dudes really goated up and lucky wont be another for a long time

[@blackmore4]

He'll soon be a dead climber though.

[@pinetraps2369]

Love how he just walks off stage the second he finishes while the entire room is giving him a standing ovation.

[@IPoopOnYouEveryLastOneOfYou]

He didn't want to be there when the theater avalanched.

[@charliechan578]

Well documented aspergers.

[@DRsideburns]

@@charliechan578 documented where? His father had aspergers not him

[@freddy7171]

He's fascinating. Also that made me fuckn lol. He didn't give a toss he just wanted it to be over 😂

[@KahurangiSteez]

@@DRsideburns It's not documented but I'd be highly surprised if he wasn't on the spectrum, even if he was never diagnosed

[@Nismo331]

I've seen El Cap. It's amazing to see people climbing with gear. What Alex did is incomprehensible. G.O.A.T.

[@beargrylls6135]

Mountain goat

[@julianto3796]

@@beargrylls6135 Hahaha

[@elijahjohnston3172]

Theres a young guy who shattered every free solo record known to man and he died somewhere in a south american mountain :/

[@elijahjohnston3172]

Marc-André Leclerc

[@beargrylls6135]

@@elijahjohnston3172 Sounds like he might have got a bit over confident.

[@danielmitchell4127]

This video has confirmed my suspicion that public speaking is, in fact, the scariest thing in the world.

[@cliftonjames785]

Why?

[@rara58524]

@@cliftonjames785 Because Alex Honnold was a bit intimidated by this public speaking, even though he's done the scariest things imaginable. He still made a great presentation, don't get me wrong, but it was a bit intimidating for him, for sure.

[@Mike-nq7fn]

Yeah he was talking pretty fast but did a good job

[@cragjames544]

He don't like being round ppl or talking to much if he was that type person he would of never done anything like this the quit ppl are the ones u watch out for

[@shane9525]

rara58524 your dumb if you think he wasn’t scared climbing.

[@Gloatz]

That feeling of mastery when you truly know that you are at the pinnacle of your craft has to be one of the best things you could feel as a human.

[@benoneill4805]

I don't think he feels that way though, he wasn't fully satisfied with his climb for some strange reason

[@townley1017]

Ben O'Neill he was for el cap, he even said it haha

[@justlikeyouful]

I was one of the top 3 MTB racers in MN for a good period of time. It was the process of getting better that was the most satisfying. Staying at a high level made me feel greedy even though I was a clean racer. The ascent is awesome, staying there not so much. Because other aspects of your life get squeezed out. If I was a billionaire I would quickly turn to philanthropy.

[@Flosseveryday]

@Holophonic I agree with you.

[@truthhurts88]

Yeah I agree I ate 3 double sausage and egg mc muffins once.

[@erincook6007]

Not surprised, he memorized the entire speech, after hearing him say, he memorized every foothold on El Capitan

[@Stoneybologna005]

That wasn't a speech that was a story of a man's triumphs and his failures

[@user-uw3zu6my8d]

@@Stoneybologna005 … in the form of a speech

[@altonb93]

I can memorize every single procedure down to the exact tools needed to work on a car without ever grabbing the one wrong one but i can’t remember words written. So i don’t know😂

[@jam-dn2ug]

There’s multiple prompters below him

[@ProudToBeAHillbilly]

Free Soloing if you don't remember exactly where footholds are, then your not going to be Free Soloing very long. So yes I wouldn't doubt at all he did memorize every foothold, obviously he did cause he's alive to tell the tell...

[@KC-wf7qt]

You can tell he was more scared of talking to a room full of people than he was climbing thousands of feet in the air. What a guy

[@bluerfoot]

He didn't appear at all scared to me, I read somewhere he lacks some scared hormone or something.

[@piggypiglet7770]

​​@@bluerfoot he had a lack of activity in the area of his brain that processes that sort of emotion, but it's not really that meaningful. During the test he was just shown images of things. Do you get more scared from an image of a spider, or an actual spider? He's also been practicing eliminating fear since he started free soloing He may not process fear the same way anyone else does while climbing, but anything else? normal guy

[@pro-socialsociopath769]

Whataaaaa guy

[@jinkstacks4830]

“You’re hiking barefoot? That’s so hardcore!” Man, he is actually really funny

[@ashe_xox]

I just laughed hard enough at that part that I coughed for half a minute straight

[@charlesg7926]

Sorry but it honestly wasn’t that funny just being honest. That’s like a typical joke-insult you’d hear from literally anyone, and if anyone besides Alex said it you wouldn’t be slobbering on him

[@romankaz2633]

@@charlesg7926 we all have different humour 🤷🏼‍♂️ was funny to me

[@dickurkel6910]

@@romankaz2633 Dude, don't even bother with people like that. They honestly just don't want others to have fun so they actively try to ruin everything. Ignore them.

[@alexanderinsubordinate1861]

@@charlesg7926 yeah its' not that funny, i'm surprised the audience laughed, sounded like auto laughter

[@nicogloria5378]

When watching Free Solo, I attached my rope to my couch just to be safe

[@mrslinkydragon9910]

Im laying in bed and ive got 2 harnesses on just to be safe!

[@Truen091]

I went to turn up the volume but had to chalk up my hands before I grabbed the remote.

[@laurieroach2127]

LoL

[@IPoopOnYouEveryLastOneOfYou]

And I mushed my hands in my mother's chalky cooking in a fanny pack which who would have guessed killed me.

[@greatdane8128]

that's not dumb to do that because the brain can't make the difference between videos and reality, that's why you are sweating when u see it, attach yourself can be good to not sweat

[@therapturecrf]

I watched the story on his solo climb of El Capitan and I was floored. I once had cancer and my right kidney removed in it's entirety from the tumor that was destroying it. My kids were young, 9 and 14 at the time. They were scared. I was scared. I wanted to prove to them that I was OK, that I was going to be there. So I took on something I had never dreamed I could do. I entered an Ironman Triathlon. I trained myself to swim. I bought a tri bike and learned to ride it. I had already ran several full marathons and half's a few years before. 11 months later I entered and finished a half Ironman, and a month after that I finished the full Ironman, a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride, and then ran a 26.2 mile marathon. I saw my kids as I was leaving on the marathon and I told them "this is for you two, I love you!". The point of all this was to show them that they can do things they never thought possible. To show them to never say "I can't." Watching him solo that incredible rock face brought back the memories, the awe, the humble respect for the impossible become possible. Never give in. Never give up. Never stop fighting. I am 7 years cancer free so far and counting.

[@MyMostBeautifuCinema]

I teared up on the quote to you kids. Thanks for sharing and congrats on the results!🙌

[@antsinhispants8185]

❤ Amazing

[@HighStakesDanny]

To those of us that never had a Dad, thanks. People need this kind of stuff

[@ethanmessinger4798]

Wholesome story!!

[@YesIndeed869]

That’s amazing. I hope your kids realize and appreciate your dedication to overcome challenges. Wishing you and your family nothing but the best.

[@chelseafaulkner3642]

it takes an insanely humble human being to not even bother explaining to tourists who are shouting you out for hiking barefoot that you just climbed 2000 solid feet worth of just vertical rock without a rope...respect

[@kheushadiagne190]

Free solo : The best horror movie of all time

[@jcp1756]

You know it. For reference the stratosphere in Vegas is, roughly, 900ft tall. El Cap is 3x the height

[@yovecx6407]

@@jcp1756 he actually bought a house in Las Vegas how I know that is you can see it in free solo documentary

[@AB-gz9yb]

kheusha diagne makes my palms sweat just watching it

[@stevenm4117]

@@jcp1756 3200+ feet...Thats almost 4x the height....Crazy

[@jcp1756]

@@stevenm4117 a bit lol. He did the ascent in 2.5 hours if I remember correctly

[@tucowept]

It took me three attempts just to watch Free Solo.

[@georgeflorit823]

OMG so TRUE ! I was so anxious watching even though I already knew the ascent was successful!!!!!!!

[@TheFarmersFarmington]

You just don’t love the mountains enough

[@lordofthestings]

I was on the edge of my seat cringing through all those free solo scenes.

[@WiseJefe]

The most anxious I ever was in my life. The weed only made it worse watching this lmao

[@lolkevandewitte1713]

You made me laugh real hard! Thx!

[@mau5099]

"It was the climb I wanted, and it felt like mastery." Just incredible.

[@alanmckenzie3228]

No single event in the NFL, MLB or NBA and even the Olympics can match what this man did....EVER!

[@bernard4459]

He can't compete in any of those sports. That's why whites prefer activities where they do stuff alone. Any black athlete will beat his time but they just don't care about this crap.

[@Reelman11]

And none of it actually matters lol

[@TwinkleDobson]

@@bernard4459 wtf lol

[@nawaal4452]

Wtf bernard 😂

[@abhisheksharma1779]

@@bernard4459 what?

[@bossatron3544]

He seems nervous public speaking, yet he can climb that damn thing free solo. The human mind is so amazing

[@bossatron3544]

He also didnt talk about managing fear besides saying he practiced every step for years and that "doubt is the precursor of fear"

[@EGarrett01]

Public humiliation can cause you to be unable to find a mate, which as far as your genes are concerned, is the same as dying. So they give you similar fear when you're in that situation.

[@Kraken9911]

I think he's on the spectrum. I watched his documentaries and he definitely shows the signs.

[@EGarrett01]

@@Kraken9911 His dad had Aspergers.

[@CrazyStranger11]

In an interview with the directors of Free Solo, they mention Alex originally took up free solo climbing when he was too scared to ask someone to belay him.

[@jeffbanks9955]

Can kinda tell this environment (public speaking) is his idea of a nightmare, like he'd still rather be ropeless on some insanely difficult rock face somewhere, but he STILL does it because it's necessary to promote what he's doing and to inspire others. That's courage.

[@Almenhorst]

many people die doing this kind of stuff, also experienced people. How necessary is it to promote insanity?

[@grebe2332]

@@Almenhorst if you didn't do anything dangerous you would live a remarkably boring life

[@Almenhorst]

@@grebe2332 so you are saying that you have to be a tiny step away from certain death to have fun in life?

[@grebe2332]

@@Almenhorst that's very clearly not what I said

[@Almenhorst]

@@grebe2332 good!

[@Manuelino1979]

I can’t believe he actually did it! This is out of this world! Absolutely speechless, so much respect for him

[@BobbyGeneric145]

I watched the entire documentary positive he's dying, even though I knew he lived

[@Roachehh]

The single greatest feat of physical and mental fortitude ever displayed by a human. Without a doubt

[@eddieyammine9047]

When he got to the top, his balls where still touching the ground

[@full-timepog6844]

the earth is his testicles.

[@fonzario]

Full-time POG. That means we live on planet Hannold. Good one!!

[@fonzario]

Eddie Yammine. A bystander at Alex’s van one time asked him. What’s the wheelbarrow for? Alex responded, Isn’t it obvious? 😂

[@MrT13]

Yea at the base of the mountain lol

[@nevaidhyasingh4323]

underrated comment!

[@DK-pn8bd]

What's fascinating is, extreme sports usually are seen as the most selfish self indulgent reckless thing one can do. Yet everything about Alex Honnold is extremely carefully thought out and considered to the point him and his friend climbed 1500 feet to remove dangerous rocks that could kill another climber. He is inspiring. I wish he gave more talks to people on how to overcome fears and reach the pinnacle of human fitness.

[@user-wq7ki8lh4n]

i can say with high confidence in my opinion that this is the single most impressive and difficult athletic success in human history. Nothing else requires the physical strength and endurance and nothing can even compare mentally to something that is literally life or death for every second of 4 hours straight

[@sandol355]

I would agree if his brain was structured normally, but his brain was scanned and his amygdala has no activity. Free soloing isn't as hard for psychopaths. Not making a judgment on those with that brain structure, just an observation.

[@UCs6ktlulE5BEeb3vBBOu6DQ]

I had to use all my chalk pouch just to watch this video

[@mohamadkhalid1808]

My heart beat double up just by listening this talk..

[@8sigreg]

I accidentally ate my chalk pouch while watching the video.

[@vedikasahu4833]

How?

[@vedikasahu4833]

@@8sigreg How ?

[@shammyshakes6478]

@@vedikasahu4833 wait you've never heard of that??? Usually climbers lick off the rest of their chalk after a climb

[@JV-df9em]

He’s so introverted and never expects the laughs to come from the audience - this was great!

[@Thomas-fk3cw]

It sounded like he was reading an essay he wrote, but it didn't look like he was reading from a teleprompter. He never lost his train of thought. That's a long speech to memorize.

[@MrShadowfax42]

@@Thomas-fk3cw Great how he prepared for the TED talk like he prepares for his climbs.

[@charliechan578]

He has well-documented Asperger syndrome which certainly serves him well for something like this free Solo

[@garbour456]

He's got a great sense of humour if you watch other videos of him where he's just being himself.

[@jayh5840]

trust me buddy, no human that is truly introverted will step on that stage lmao

[@ptrainingbytim]

Seeing this in the theatre was absolutely breathtaking. Literally, I held my breath the whole time. God bless you and your family Alex!

[@jonathanbyrdmusic]

I love how Alex takes on this presentation. It’s a metaphor for his climb, and honestly just as inspiring. Great job Alex!

[@edwardrawn8157]

A collared shirt UNDER a collared shirt! This man knows no fear!

[@Jamie-Russell-CME]

Sponsors pay bills

[@siddharamshingshetty4265]

lol

[@johnathant6735]

Edward Rawn Probably sweats a lot. I get it

[@BarginsGalore]

Johnathan T not the best quality in a rock climber

[@deathpixelgaming]

This is basically middle school dress code.(you must have a collar showing if you wear a quarterzip jacket-the only jacket you can wear)

[@mewyattt]

I free climbed my ladder all the way up to my roof yesterday. There was a moment of doubt when a tree limb jutting out over the ladder hit me in the face but I conquered it and cleaned my gutters.

[@lurkster1974]

Without cleaning out your guts - bravo ;-)

[@danazonart]

Funniest comment yet...

[@MiTmite9]

I clean my own rain gutters, too. It never helps knowing -----" The United States leads the world in ladder deaths. Each year, there are more than 164,000 emergency room-treated injuries and 300 deaths in the U.S. that are caused by falls from ladders. Most ladder deaths are from falls of 10 feet or less."

[@waitandhope]

bravo

[@Gweidemann]

You are so FUNNY!!!.🐱☺️!!! Thanks for the laugh!!!

[@monugupta32]

Such a great narration & humility towards what he achieved. I can't possibly comprehend how impossible this is.

[@whiteangel127]

I can't stop but noticing his clear and bright eyes, so determined and so pure.

[@MrBigburke22]

Imagine walking up the mountain like a normal person, looking over the edge and seeing this guy climbing up the side without a rope

[@staple_gun6367]

Alex should have definitely come over the ledge, looked around and said, "Wait... there's another way up?"

[@user-lk1ky1hx5r]

@@staple_gun6367 lmao

[@rubenvelazquezjr6756]

@@staple_gun6367 😂

[@kingsed91]

And shout at him so he gets disturbed and falls

[@vagabondultimate]

And throw some random stones to make it a bit more challenging

[@ankyfire]

He talks about climbing El Cap like regular people talk about their weddings

[@paulmitchell5349]

Most weddings are scarier.

[@thebranclan4826]

paul mitchell not when the average person remarries 3 times😂

[@xxxy0l0xxxxyt4]

You HAD 333 likes 😐

[@nimmuraj]

Ha ha, but the difference is no one feel like a master after wedding.

[@zmei24]

😂😂😂

[@homosapienfactory6291]

This man looked death in the face for hours while it sapped the life from his muscles and mind but he did it. This man actually did something 99.9% of people in this world wouldn't think of but he did it. What a man.

[@ravener96]

There are north of 7 billion people in the world that would never think of doing it. There is no way more than ten people have ever considered it for more than a single second.

[@carpathianwolf05]

It is almost impossible to exaggerate how amazing this feat was. But I also found Alex’s talk about his preparation and process very illuminating - chock (or chalk) full of lessons applicable to life both below and beyond the wall.

[@Qwerty-qy9oj]

The dislikes are from people who sell ropes

[@eoinbarrett3579]

😂😂😂 very good

[@daduckling_5728]

lmao

[@Corrupt03]

Nah it's from people that are triggered that he would ever try something this dangerous lmfao

[@richardirving628]

ha ha ha

[@korchageen]

😆😆😆😆

[@rossturpin4696]

This dude doesn’t struggle to open jars.

[@matthewchavez5322]

The jar struggles to muster the courage to open.

[@jedediahcleveland3472]

"Babe, can you open this for me?" "Yeah sure lemme see- *Jar fucking disintegrates into mere atoms, disappears into the wind immediately*"

[@reeceharker2675]

jars pop open when he looks at them

[@ruppellsbooden8917]

Hahah mad call

[@EidosTrantorianum]

he has a knack for "caps". I'll see myself out..

[@TheSekCXpert]

just listening to him speak about the experience gives me the chills

[@chrisbach2750]

He learned this full speech by heart! This is incredible! Have to watch the video again to listen to what he actually says.

[@theknowlodge8294]

One of the greatest achievements in all of human history. I genuinely believe that. No exaggeration.

[@fernendo4]

I totally agree.

[@unclewilbur8976]

I have said it many times! Alex achieved a super human feat. ...miraculous!!!!

[@AnyoneCanSee]

@@unclewilbur8976 - He also has superhuman hands.

[@julienwood577]

The fact he did it in 3.5 hours is insane

[@dktlls97]

@@julienwood577 That’s what I just thought , He said it usually takes 3 days??

[@byoobyoo1280]

I climbed a tree once, free solo. It was a mango tree and it felt delicious.

[@crawler9065]

haha.

[@MehYam2112]

Climbed a maple tree once, but fell out of it. Felt like a pancake.

[@thithanhhieupham8947]

Omg can't stop laughing after being almost cry with the vid! Big thankssss

[@jameswilliamson1407]

Fucks sakes 😂😂

[@Hibachi_Dru]

He just walked off when everyone was giving him a standing ovation, lmao Alex

[@kitrichardson2165]

“Doubt is the precursor to fear“. Why, I believe it is. Brilliant statement

[@borisburgess5428]

He then trips down the stairs as he walks off stage

[@TheBigGianTz]

Its always easier gettin up lol

[@ponderatulify]

how is this not the top comment ?

[@andresbarriga5305]

Brakes his neck.

[@beninglis5259]

And dies

[@danepotmo2513]

In High School, I convinced a friend that the world's greatest platform diver was this Chinese guy who couldn't swim a stroke. I told him that everytime he hit the water, that guys on stand by had to jump in the water and save him. This is what that comment reminds me of.

[@Cobrashadows]

I need chalk just to listen to this.

[@chapo4473]

🤣🤣🤣🤣😭

[@travis8106]

I feel that, my hands are sweating so much

[@Oddie99000]

My hands do be sweating rn

[@marley6369]

lol

[@paysonfox88]

I needed some white substance to watch this, but it wasn't chalk.

[@AniPo42]

I'm glad to watch this. From prior videos it seemed his success was just sheer mental belief in himself, plus strength (from climbing). This revealed the high level of training, preparing, and practicing involved ahead of the free solo climbs. That's the true beauty of the human potential (vs superhuman action hero stuff of movies).

[@danjw2604]

I have never commented on KZbin but do so today to say this film was one of the most inspiring things I have ever seen. Incredible!

[@markkudlachjr4557]

You’re hiking barefoot?....That’s hardcore! Priceless

[@i-love-comountains3850]

I would have laughed so hard lol

[@dennisford867]

Exactly! ! !

[@theogreenaway7401]

when was this?

[@JakeLovesCoffee]

El Capitan has those “fake fall” dreams about Alex

[@youtubewarri0r]

Underrated comment 😂😂😂😂

[@hhspector3006]

so check check chek it out

[@troyezell5841]

@@youtubewarri0r I agree! Great comment!

[@Infntpaccout1100.3x]

legend comment

[@michaelballinger6419]

Haha that's brilliant

[@LivingProofFilmz]

Performing something like this takes a very special kind of human being. So many cool amazing things a person can achieve in this world, but when someone else says they did it too or can argue they can do it and maybe even better is what takes the magic away from you. I highly doubt he’ll ever have that conversation with this outstanding achievement. Hat is off to you sir. Absolutely amazing.

[@joshuapatrick682]

The greatest athlete accomplished the greatest feat in athletic history and is that humble, that’s more inspiring than any words that could ever be said! Alex is a true inspiration!

[@fraserhills3296]

*El cap exists* Alex: so that's when I took it personally

[@valenwood6299]

Lmaoo

[@caioaugusto2282]

The more you sweat in practice, the less you bleed in battle.

[@beerthug]

Until that IED goes off and kills the fat and the fit guys all the same.

[@krimo5700]

This is not applicable 100% though..

[@Lak3baby]

Caio Augusto alright so go rob the White House and tell me how that turns out

[@Rahul-uk4su]

Say stuff is easy.. U need bals to do them

[@oswal1853]

True Respect🦅

[@dillon6280]

i love seeing alex get more comfortable the more the audience responds to him. hes a funny guy with unintentionally perfect delivery haha

[@Darakkis]

This never ever ever fails to absolutely blow my mind

[@thehandleiwantedwasntavailable]

After seeing the documentary covering this climb, I visited El Capitan and walked to the base of the mountain. From there, I found the starting point for Alex’s climb. From there, I climbed a couple of metres off the ground, and looked up. I felt uneasy, at risk, exposed, in danger. And I was only two metres off the ground, clinging to the rock with my hands and feet. At that point, the full enormity of Alex’s achievement hits home. It is an incredible act that truly defies what is considered ‘normal’ and ‘possible’. Well done Alex. You’re a living legend. Please keep it that way.

[@davidxiao64]

“Please keep it that way” 😳👌

[@edmondtondu3042]

Autoexpert.com.AU

[@jaytrock3217]

Go to the tree next to the route and climb to meters you would uneasy. Just remember though he had support crew with him the who time station all over the rock. If he got stuck he would just attach climb out and do it another day. I think he is amazing, but I get annoyed when people say solo, but are actually supported.

[@TheAstroWitchLux]

@@jaytrock3217 In rock climbing lingo, "solo" just means "without a rope", I think. (I'm not a rock climber so don't quote me on this :-D )

[@AwesomeGreen8]

Jay Trock it would be very difficult to "attach" him self because he would need a harness on, which wouldn't be fun trying to put one on 2,000 ft. up. And a rope to tie into, which would need a proper anchor system and belayer or fixed point all of which varies depending on where you are in the climb due to rope length. So it is soloing because he didn't plan any of that and nor did any of the camera members

[@abesapien9930]

This man has fascinated me for a long time. I think he is a kind of Einstein and approaches his climbs like a calculus problem. He is a problem-solver first, athlete second. There were some pitches of his Famous El Capitan climb where he replaced the traditional move with 20 unique smaller moves of his own--to avoid what he saw as unnecessary risk!!! That is the mind of an inventor, a scientist, an engineer. He is the exact opposite of a thrill-seeker. He is a scientist in his lab, carefully working out every single part of the chemistry so the room does not explode. And understanding all the little things that need to happen for him not to die is what stands in front of him as a thrilling challenge.

[@BrianBarth]

In my experience, I've come across as many "thinker" climbers as thrill seekers. A lot of climbers approach the sport as a physical puzzle.

[@ctaris2736]

اليكس. ان حياة الانسان ليست تحدي ومتعة ولكنها تكليف و إنك مسؤول عنها من بعد الموت عن سمع وبصر وفؤاد واليد والرجل والوقت فيما قدمته اليكس .هل تعلم مسؤولية الانسان أكبر من السماء والارض والجبال. أليكس هل تعلم إن الجبال عباد الله يسبحن له . أليكس هل تعلم ان الجيال يخشون ويتصدعون من كلام لله وإن حياة الانسان غالية أكثر من تسلق جبل تعقل وإرتاح يا أليكس تحيتي لك لكل ثقم المصور

[@JoaoSilva22222]

Exactly, Ayrton Senna would spend an entire day practicing every corner of the track, every bump, every detail, so, a cientist before an athlete.

[@robertspringer92]

He was going to be an engineer originally

[@damien9654]

@@rosco4852 😄

[@dianac2498]

He is really good at explaining overcoming fear.

[@estebanquinones8831]

Honestly one of the best Ted talks I’ve listened to.

[@vmk5465]

''Doubt is the precursor of fear", what a simple yet true bit of wisdom

[@imallergictobullets]

Yea, but not always true at all. Certainly is often the case, but not necessarily. The understanding of inevitability, the opposite of doubt, can frequently be just as frightening.

[@osmark86]

@@imallergictobullets death, for example, is inevitable and feared by many. I agree with you.

[@kremesauce]

Came on this comment the exact moment he said it in the video

[@user-on2ys9jr6t]

I think fear being the cause of doubt is more true than vice versa

[@MichaelMcAlexander]

@Fernando Cunha Conversely, many atheists doubt the veracity of proclamations that posit no tangible measurement. Doubt, in this perspective, is more prudent than any falsehood emboldened by emotion. I have come to understand doubt is an intellectual conclusion and an emotional catalyst of detriment.

[@inmyopinion651]

This was the most awesome athletic achievement in history. No doubt about it.

[@IKEImusic]

Democrats Only also Meru (2015) featuring the friend that showed up in his slideshow

[@dejffjed]

I have to strongly disagree here. Lacking instinct of self-preservation, having no fear does not equal great athletic achievement. There are many better climbers out there, including Adam Ondra, the greatest rock climber ever, who is genuinely pushing boundaries.

[@nlee4724]

David Bohata I agree. While Alex’s feat is impressive, it’s a stunt, like walking a cable between the twin towers without a net. It’s not a sport and shouldn’t be glorified imo.

[@dejffjed]

@@nlee4724 That's exactly what I meant. It was a stunt.

[@tickyul]

Democrats Only Never seen anything like it.

[@theoutsider6191]

Probably the best film you will ever see. Certainly the most extraordinary human feat of endurance and mind control I've ever seen. Superb.

[@saint5203]

I think that might be the single most incredible thing I've ever seen in my life. Unbelievable

[@jasonwong7140]

Legend has it that Chuck Norris asked him to open a jar once.

[@doctordilanka]

Legend has it you stole that hackneyed joke from someone else to get likes from strangers on the Internet.

[@oliveryoung7785]

Legend also has it, someone in this comment thread is a bitter self-hating incel taking out his insecurities on strangers.

[@alexc7857]

@@oliveryoung7785 best comment ever ,😂😂

[@danslik1738]

Lolololxp

[@nera9526]

Legend says Thanos fears when Alex snaps his fingers

[@maskedman]

Finally a guy worthy for a Ted Talk.

[@lamotta00]

there have been a few to be fair ..its ted x that has the plebs

[@buckrogers4820]

Paul stamets has an amazing talk

[@Vendrix86]

and yet this is terrible for a Ted Talk - it's just a recollection from an amazing athlete about a personal accomplishment. Ted Talks should be more. There are different forums for awesome guys like this but not at Ted.

[@Vendrix86]

@Vexel wrong, you can take something away from this but there are better examples out there, better people you could've picked. Ted standards have immensely fallen and now they just pick celebs or something that'll elevate their brand name.

[@mackenzieusher8025]

@@Vendrix86 I agree with you. I loved watching Free Solo and I have nothing but the utmost respect for Alex Honnold, but I felt like this talk was pretty superficial. I would be interested in hearing more in detail about his visualization techniques, for example.

[@alexthrailkill]

I’ll never get tired of watching Alex, I believe I’ve seen this one before. In my eyes, he’s probably the greatest athlete of all time.

[@danieldevito6380]

Alex Honnold will forever be ranked among Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, Muhammad Ali, etc., as one of the greatest athletes of all time. In his sport, climbing, there is no one better or even close.

[@cadenceking8598]

Adam Ondra is widely accepted to be the best climber in the world. LEAGES ahead of Alex. Adam climbed the first ever 9C. Best Alex ever climbed was a 9A and only once. Alex is probably the most reckless climber, and brings lots of attention to free soloing, and very stupid and reckless form of climbing most climbers frown upon. But in no category besides lack of fear and balls of Steel is Alex honnold the best climber.

[@OwlOfNivica]

@@cadenceking8598and that’s why he’s the best climber. Not only is climbing El Cap insane but doing it free solo shows who had the best skills and strength. You can’t compare rope accents to what he did. There’s a reason that it brings so much attention, because it’s a superhuman feat

[@cadenceking8598]

@@OwlOfNivica Marc Andre Leclerc has wayyyyy bigger bolder and technically difficult than what Alex has done (his words too).

[@Galactusz007]

I’d rather fight Mike Tyson blindfolded in his prime than climb 20 feet of el Captain, lol.

[@hiddengame11]

That seems pretty dumb. A 20 foot fall is a lot better than permanent brain damage

[@ConsentDeath]

@@hiddengame11 20 feet is like 3 to 4 meters i guess. If u fell on legs its fine.. Flat on back or body... Dead.

[@mishaj5588]

Mike Tyson podcast is mint.

[@odari-1071]

andy dufrense u wouldn’t be dead lmao 😂😂

[@sh0cktim3]

Mike Tyson won't kill you just knock you clean out. El Captain ur breaking limbs ur back or dying.

[@samknox1]

Based on some of the comments, I feel like I need to come to Alex’s defense of his performance in this video. Yes, he seems uncomfortable, and his delivery is stilted, but this is the only instance I’ve seen that he is clearly reciting a prepared speech. It takes years of practice in this format to make a recitation seem spontaneous. Alex has made no secret of his shyness as a child, or his aversion to public speaking, but now, even in front of a large audience, when he’s allowed to speak off the cuff, in an interview, or in a Q&A, he is relaxed, engaging, and funny Alex Honnold is, by far, the best ambassador that the sport of climbing has ever had, and he is one of those rare athletes whose great talents are matched only by his patience and humility.

[@sk8freshcst]

99% of the people commenting on his weak presentation skills would be scared to death speaking to a large audience like that. Easier to critique something from the comfort of your home.. His career doesn't require him to speak in large auditoriums on a regular basis.....

[@bobcloughjr]

@@sk8freshcst I don't think anyone is criticizing him for his public speaking ability. I think in fact they are commending him for doing it. I am not a rock climber but I think I would rather climb El Cap than speak in front of several hundred people.

[@subasurf]

Alex doesnt need you to come to his defense! jesus christ

[@johnparnham3305]

Any idea how he gets down once completed i have been wondering?

[@subasurf]

@@johnparnham3305 it's a very easy hike down from the other side.

[@jacobduperon472]

Pure passion for the subject matter got him through this talk. Public speaking is clearly not his forte yet he was able to command attention from the entire crowd due to sheer respect for what he did.

[@musashidanmcgrath]

Incredible feat. Watched the doc and it's difficult to comprehend just how amazing this achievement was. Kept thinking 'what if it rained?'

[@jamesbentonticer4706]

This guy takes his life for granite.

[@hommuside]

That pun fucking rocks!!! Haha

[@nba_fan7214]

he's definitely boulder than the average person

[@clanof1144]

How dare you

[@ryanbraun4964]

Chalk it up to expirience...

[@Hugo-and-Persia]

He's definitely at the height of his sport!

[@Seed2Stem]

Free Solo is one of the best documentaries I’ve ever seen

[@patrickkeeley3074]

Seed2Stem where can I watch it?

[@digital_gravity]

I loved it. Wish I could have seen it on the biggest IMAX screen in the world.

[@w.harrison7277]

"Valley Uprising" is the best documentary I've ever seen on climbing in Yosemite. Free Solo is super interesting, but they could have gone deeper into the mindset of someone who takes it to the hairy edge...into the male psychology of boldness and inner knowing.

[@digital_gravity]

@@w.harrison7277: "Valley Uprising" was extremely good too. To be fair, it had a bigger cast of characters. I think deeply delving into Honnold's mindset would have been tough and the film did the best it could. Honnold is like Winston Churchill's description of Russia: "Alex is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma."

[@k.g.b9198]

Patrick Keeley youtube

[@NolanSanchez]

Lordy, just listening to him talk about his climb, my hands get sweaty. Pretty incredible achievement.

[@AmberlyPerez]

The fact that this man did this is just amazing

[@aidanw9378]

"That's not supposed to be funny but it is." Basically sums up Alex? He's super serious but still has a great sense of humour even if its accidental.

[@douwehuysmans5959]

But it is what it is*

[@finmat95]

In fact that's NOT funny.

[@jenniferhundley148]

Start at 7:28 to capture his initial comment, the laugh and OP’s quote at 7:40

[@annoyingboringuseless]

@@douwehuysmans5959 but if it is, it is...

[@alexanderchaker]

Pressing the like button with sweaty hands is my achievement today

[@TheCgOrion]

LMAO! Nicely done.

[@geniusmarcsays2434]

i was a full time climber for 5 years. my hands are dry as a rock

[@jacobandersen6075]

Haha. Nice

[@boxbury]

I know nothing about climbing but this blew my mind. Such an impressive individual and interesting sport.

[@AnthonyWilliams-ew3wp]

Probably the greatest physical achievement in history. Respect.

[@vipersqueal]

Probably the only person that could wear North Face attire and literally own the meaning of it.

[@patheddles4004]

Lol nah. More than 700 climbers have successfully climbed the North Face of the Eiger, and Alex Honnold doesn't seem to be among them.

[@JubioHDX]

@@patheddles4004 he is sponsored by them tho.

[@extraslayar4585]

@@patheddles4004 The North Face Clothing company logo is based off the Half Dome in Yosemite that Alex Free Soloed as his first big Free Solo. The mountain you're talking about in the Alpes has nothing to do with them and also is not named North Face of the Eiger but Noth Wall of the Eiger.

[@patheddles4004]

@@extraslayar4585 ok fair, I'll take your word about the company and its connection to Honnold and Half Dome. The difficult side of the Eiger absolutely is called the North Face though, even though the German name "Nordwand" does literally translate to "North Wall".

[@tsong3545]

@@patheddles4004 sonny boi got owned

[@shubhambaidya6126]

It's crazy, because in the documentary, at one point he says that it'll take atleast 3-4 hrs to reach the 'boulder problem', and the day he made it, it took him less than 4 hrs to do the whole ascension. AMAZING!

[@RS54321]

He was in the zone that day, for sure.

[@mjthecap]

the more you know about what he has done the more nervous and jar dropping you would be. The true definition of mastery!

[@joonwolf6817]

imo this is easily the greatest example of human resilience i've ever seen. The physical component I would say is 30% of what makes this feat impressive, it's more so the mental aspect that will keep this achievement remembered for hundreds of years.

[@jeffmilum5858]

Most of the commenters are missing the point. Alex did something not only considered too risky, but impossible by almost everyone. He did this though incredible preparation, both physical and mental. The story is that impossible dreams are not impossible, if you are truly dedicated to a good plan and follow it no matter what. This is also a story about controlling fear. As a crappy 5.11± climber, i know that fear is truly "the little death before total obliteration.". Although Alex's public speaking skills are dwarfed by his climbing skills, it is an important message.

[@KIskra]

Exactly

[@ScarredBert]

Not impossible, plenty others had done it with ropes. It’s not the do-ability that is in question, if you can do it with ropes you can do it without them. It’s just clearly extremely risky. Not taking anything away, did is a fucking miracle of an achievement.

[@jeffmilum5858]

@@ScarredBert I stand by my point, that this is a feat that was considered impossible by "almost everyone" (obviously not Alex) and that what might seem impossible to many, can be accomplished if the right approaches are taken. Your statement, in fact IMO does take away from the feat, as at least on the surface, it makes it a simple matter of risk with/without ropes. This climb is 31 pitches in a row! As a pretty crappy climber, I can hardly relate to that level of fitness and am certain that even if I quit my job and trained full time I could never be fit enough. Also, any sort of doubt/fear is incredibly detrimental to climbing stamina, fear is the "little death." Alex may be the only climber (there are at best a handful of other people on the planet) capable of the mental and physical discipline necessary to pull this feat off, making it seem impossible for "almost everyone." Since it has been done, it is obviously no longer considered impossible....

[@johnr9528]

This all may be true about your dreams, but most people, even those with a high level of youth and physicality could not even come close to doing this no matter how driven or prepared they were. What he did out there exceeds pretty much anything I can possibly think of.

[@daftbence]

@@ScarredBert Agreed, not impossible. Obviously, conquering the fear was impossible for all the others, but climbing the rock was not.

[@sewhite11]

“I had to trust my life to the friction between my climbing shoes and the smooth granite.”

[@adisoncardoso]

that quote should be remembered for ages. absolutely insane.

[@piffsquadtv9260]

Made my feet sweat 🤣🤣🤣

[@swyxTV]

NOPE

[@gregmichales1778]

That’s the exact moment when I shat myself

[@bobseaver7807]

Greg Michales lol

[@felathar1985]

How can you not love Alex Honnold. His purity and power... he's unparaleled

[@lindastephens1325]

He is amazing, I can't stop watching him. His VR video, Free Soloing, is awesome to watch.

[@yeeehaa28]

A national treasure climbing a national treasure.

[@manbirdcat5246]

yeeehaa28 thats sweet :D

[@taikajorma7276]

yeeehaa28 Of germany?

[@gigawertz2582]

alex honnold climbs alex honnold

[@gigawertz2582]

Albus Dumbledore Both Alex Honnold and El Capitan are American...

[@HeliosphanXtal]

They just hung a huge magnet on top of El Cap; he was simply lifted to it with his balls.

[@GravityRestored]

HeliosphanXtal this is a good comment. I lold.

[@ifeellikeyeezus8525]

Corny

[@warpviix]

Got a good chuckle out of me... good one.

[@zigzagnemesist5074]

no he actually climbed it idiot, watch the video

[@gordoncheuk474]

@@zigzagnemesist5074 you don't get the joke, he's saying he's got balls of steel so he said that a magnet pulled him up, jeez

[@pandanarkystudios5198]

I gotta hand it to this guy. He inspired me to climb. I've only solo'd 2 faces, both merely 150ft. That is nothing!!! Nothing!!! I just completed my first 1000ft climb though. It was rough, but I made it. I'm not a good climber by any means, but I gotta say that there is nothing that compares. Not skydiving or anything . And rappelling down is so f'n fun. You gotta love it!

[@Liam.2000]

150ft solo is still very impressive my friend. If you were to slip and fall 20ft up youd still be dead the same as if you were to fall 1500ft up. You are still risking your life and my respect goes out to anyone who has the balls to do this.

[@liam3104]

@@Liam.2000 he didn't say he free solo'd. When someone just says soloing they are still using a rope. If this guy really isn't a great climber and actually did free solo anything he's an idiot for risking his life while not being extremely experienced. Alex himself says he wouldn't take anyone free soloing who isn't an elite climber.

[@ripharwood4138]

He’s simply amazing. The Banff Film Festival films of his climbs up El Cap and Half Dome will make you edge up on your seat and your palms sweat. Can’t imagine being able to master the terror of actually being there. Incroyable!

[@rossturpin4696]

I know ZERO about climbing mountains but this dude is in a league of his own. Fearless.

[@glu6567]

He quite literally is fearless. They did tests on his brain and found a lack of neurons that were required to process fear. He is literally built different

[@TristanMundell]

@@glu6567 that’s weird, he mentioned in this video multiple times that he was afraid

[@erickcarreno2929]

He does have fear, just not much he had like 1/6th or something like that of a normal person

[@S0ulinth3machin3]

he has fear, but his threshold is just 100x higher than the rest of us.

[@HarimaKentaro]

@@TristanMundell he pretty much trains and overcomes that fear as he gets more comfortable with it

[@jivarishi]

5:44 "I didn't wanted to be a lucky climber. I wanted to be a great climber." 👍

[@RafaelW8]

Words to live by

[@RADlX]

Words to climb by

[@tedlemoine5587]

That's the line thst caught my attention as well

[@hardknockthuglife]

@@RADlX Words not to live by, he should have been an unlucky hiker who had climbing experience. Luck probably has a purpose. The unnecessary Parkour Avatar risk for the purpose of fame is relatively smaller.

[@golisanjiv]

Want*

[@romaneaster9492]

Easily one of the greatest achievements of all time.

[@tomblack2064]

He's such good natured person. And an athlete beyond most in human history.

[@valeriekopcewicz3447]

I am a skydiver....to me there is only one extreme sport without a doubt.....where there is no plan B,no protection,no supportive gear,only one way ticket....solo free climbing !!! My respect Alex.....all my best,stay safe....Ralph from Detroit. 5/17/2020

[@AussieDad79]

I’d have to agree! I’ve only skydived once tandem and it was awesome enough for me to think with training I could go solo. What Alex is doing? No way!!!!

[@michaelwachendorf2096]

Yeah you guys even have the first person to drop without a shoot into a net that's a little much.

[@TheFoxfourty8]

go ahead put your address on there too Ralph

[@urbangreensmy4947]

Well there is a plan

[@someone123421]

@@TheFoxfourty8 yoo in dead 💀 literally laughed so hard idec about the content anymore 🤣