Why Alex Honnold Stopped Climbing Without Ropes...

Alex Honnold is a world-famous climber known for scaling mountains without the use of any ropes or protective equipment, also known as "free soloing". This is a look into his life and career, and how it's shifted over time.
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[@MrWadsox]

Glad he's slowing down and being more cautious. Would really hate to lose this one. Not a hint of arrogance about him. His fans adore him.

[@JayZoop]

I agree. He is one guy I think people want to see around for a long long time.

[@harorider96]

As your brain develops more and more you are likely to stop doing things that will almost 100% kill you eventually

[@JayZoop]

@@harorider96 And I'm sure he's now more concerned about what his family thinks than his own personal desires.

[@kblewis3331]

@MrWadsox He's married now, with a young daughter. I'm sure that made him rethink free solo climbing. I imagine he wants to stick around for his family.

[@valdemort7983]

If Dan Osman could slow down too, he would have been still alive...

[@Robot256k]

Most people would assume Alex climbed since he was a child but that's not case. Proceeds to say alex was born in 85 and started climbing in the 90s at age 10 😂

[@ninjaswordtothehead]

Complete with a picture of him, as a child, roped up and climbing.😂

[@Idk-vd8wp]

Haha checked the comment section to see if anyone else caught that 😆

[@Fabi321321]

Well Rock climbing is pretty different from gym climbing. And he said that he didnt start rock climbing in his childhood

[@davidwilliams7552]

Gym climbing is a fun game compared to actual rock climbing on real rocks in nature. As the video specifically points out. Anyone who climbs does not see indoor climbing as rock climbing!

[@Jack-lf4op]

He said “mid 90’”. Do you have ability to hear properly?

[@theresa42213]

Alex has mastered his fear, and panic of climbing. l think he's one of the wiser men to STOP free climbing, for his, family, and future. He's getting older, he's done the unforgettable. He's not foolish. Someone to emulate. He's avoided being a ''cautionary tale''. :)

[@leonmilner9994]

Yes it's so sad to admire someone yet fully expect them to perish. Glad he's changed his mind.

[@squamish4244]

They actually scanned Alex's brain and found that he has much smaller amygdalae than normal. His fear centre has quite literally _never_ registered for him. He says he has never felt fear or panic climbing. But he has always been careful and technical, so he has still made the most rational choices for his safety without feeling fear. I'm also relieved to hear he has stopped free soloing. So his rational mind said, "Stop. You're living for two people now." He must be an evolutionary freak. But studying people like him is also helping scientists understand and learn how to treat anxiety disorders through targeted brain stimulation. Very interesting.

[@Qlice03]

@@squamish4244 That's actually not true at all. First point being having a smaller amygdala does not equal to it not functioning and/or registering, and most importantly, his does function/register. Also, he has said more than once that he has felt scared a lot, he's just done and dealt with it more. In fact, (and he has also said this himself) the reason for him being so cautious, calculating, and technical is because he does feel fear. He knows what he does has very high consequences and that's exactly the reason why he has to be so meticulous about it. That said, I also think it's great that after having achieved such incredible feats, he has not been free soloing as much. I hope he lives long with his kid and is able to keep enjoying great things.

[@SylvainSybaris]

Someone to emulate? I say never emulate foolish stunts because that will get people killed... Instead, emulate climbers that practice & teach safety measures utilizing (ropes).

[@squamish4244]

@@Qlice03As someone with OCD and panic disorder who has lived most of my life in constant anxiety, done a lot of meditation and gotten a few of the most innovative, neuroscience-based treatments for it (and is about to get the most advanced treatment yet done), I can speak with authority on this. Our comments are both partly right. First, I went too far in saying that Alex _does not_ feel fear. Yes, he does. However, there is a MASSIVE difference between feeling fear or caution when doing something dangerous and losing your cool over it. Alex does not panic. I don't recall him ever saying he panics. His heart rate stays controlled. He doesn't develop the fear _of_ fear, which merely makes the situation much worse. He feels the fear, it registers, and it tells him exactly what he needs to know in order to respond properly and safely to a situation. This is a very useful and effective form of fear. Second, having smaller amygdalae (we actually have two, one on each side) absolutely does correspond to feeling less fear - and even NO fear, when fear is not warranted. We know people can completely lose their sense of fear in situations where it is not useful i.e. where you are not in danger i.e. 95% of the time in modern society. Advanced meditators have smaller amydalae than the rest of us, and they don't suffer the fear of fear. They even have nonexistent startle reflexes when tested (and they know this is all harmless testing, obviously). Experiments have made gunshot noises right next to meditators' ears and they have not budged. Most of humanity's problems can be traced back to the fact that we are constantly being triggered by our fight-or-flight response in a world where almost nothing warrants it, and yet also have these enormously powerful neocortexes sitting on top of our primitive limbic systems. So we are highly intelligent and frightened all the time. A very bad combination. Finally, we have managed to zero in on specific structures in the limbic system and even in the organs of the limbic system regarding fear pathways. People who have had surgery to remove their right amygdala, specifically, due to unrelated issues like tumors, have noticed that their fear of everything based on psychology or emotion vanishes - which is good - or their fear of everything, period - which is not so good - but they can learn to retrain their brain to rationally avoid physically dangerous situations, even if they no longer feel afraid of them. One person I read about who had such surgery approached a gang that was ready to mug him. He walked through them with such total confidence that they were astonished and did nothing but watch him walk through their number. The famous "woman with no fear", "M.", had lesions on her amygdalae. She did experience the fear and panic response when she was deprived of sufficient oxygen in a test, but did not experience it at all on many other occasions when the rest of us would be freaking out. She could walk through dark, empty places at night where she had been attacked with a knife previously, but would do it again, because fear just wasn't registering with her. She has learned to be trained away from these behaviours by appeal to her rational mind. Oddly, this is the way our brains ideally _should_ work - if we were more highly evolved, instead of being stuck in this weird halfway house like we are as a species, we would be able to rationally assess a situation and then assess which response is appropriate, instead of reacting with fear and then lashing out with intelligence, as we do now.

[@The_Room_2_Doggys_Revenge]

I remember him saying, in Free Solo, something along those lines : "I'm always gonna choose climbing", implying he would leave behind loved ones to go on a climbing quest. As a rock climber myself, I'm sure he still loves climbing, but it's nice to see he realized there are other nice things in life like having a family

[@user-md3wm7vu1f]

i think he said in the film he would choose it over his family but not if he had kids

[@Drobexxx]

He said something like "I've always chosen climbing over a lady. At least so far, you know?" implying he could have changed his priorities in the future. Plus he has a kid now, and he's getting older, at 38 he's not going to be able to do the same stuff he's been doing up until now, an he knows what's it like to lose your father at a young age.

[@kennytaylor4920]

Superb Human watching him you know the human spirit can overcome its fear .

[@CDsurfer]

Alex is the goat of free climbing, I am glad he is taking less risk for his family. His kid needs a father, especially one who is successful and humble and can teach a lot of great values

[@noahh2338]

He's the goat of free-soloing..in free climbing you use ropes, but only for safety, not for ascent. There are better overall free climbers..but he is the goat of free solo, and one of the best free climbers today..

[@Skank_and_Gutterboy]

Exactly. He's done plenty, I want to see him live on.

[@LarsLarsen77]

He's not the best free soloist. He just did a bunch of long routes that aren't that hard. In the past there have been free soloists who GLUED the crux hold to the cliff to avoid certain death. Alex never had to do that.@@noahh2338

[@tabization4938]

Free Solo Yes but Freeclimbing must be Adam Ondra

[@boogerdawson25boogerdawson61]

Free soloing has been done for many many many years. I don’t think he’s the goat. He just happened to do free soloing in the days of social media which made him blow up.

[@paigejo24]

Thank god. Free Solo is to this day the most terrifying movie I've ever seen...

[@TheEccentricSquare]

At a certain point it’s all equally as deadly. Alex has nothing left to prove. He’ll keep his place as one of the greatest free solo climbers of all time. He’s a legend. If he climbs the rest of his life like he has rocks, he’s in for quite an accomplished journey. Kudos Alex

[@Alex-eg6lx]

How is it equally deadly?

[@Kooczsi]

@@Alex-eg6lx what i was thinking. this guy doesnt know what hes talking about

[@Tittles67]

​@Kooczsi I think they meant after a certain height it's all equally deadly when free soloing, so the fact he's done something like El cap he has nothing to prove by not using ropes

[@headdown1]

I'm a skydiver, and know people who have BASE jumped off El Capitan. I probably understand risk and consequences better than a lot of folks. And I am very happy to see that Alex Honnold is not free soloing much these days. He has absolutely nothing to prove to anyone, and has already pushed the envelope far enough for one human being. If you do enough skydives, it will eventually kill you. I assume free soloing is the same. Glad to hear he uses ropes now.

[@zGJungle]

I have my first tandem skydive in a few weeks time :) I can't wait!

[@headdown1]

@@zGJungle You will love it. Be sure to get video or you will regret it forever.

[@donnyh3497]

Skydiving is pretty safe if you're not showing off all the time or getting into high risk dives or swooping your parachute. I mean, I always did all of those things but I know people who always jumped conservatively and could easily do it for a lifetime. Base jumping is a different story

[@headdown1]

@@donnyh3497 Agreed. I did mostly the same..lots of swooping with a few close calls and lot of RW and eventually speed diving. You would likely have to do a LOT of skydives for it to catch up with you if you are a relatively safe skydiver. But just like driving a car...if you do it enough, eventually someone else will screw up, even if you don't. Same thing for BASE, just with time/jump numbers compressed.

[@SimonOhNo]

i didnt get video and i dont regret it, actually@@headdown1

[@reddiver7293]

It is highly significantthat in Free Solo, AH abruptly canceled his first attempt almost at the outset. Because, basically, his mind was not in the right place. This is someone who has truly attained what Castañeda's Don Juan calls the warrior spirit. AH had zero conflict with anything resembling ego with his decision. This guy has trained and learned to truly master his mind. Something not many of us do.

[@Marco-717]

Master his mind lol you mean control his fears and emotions. He's talented but he's not a mathematician

[@reddiver7293]

@@Marco-717 Why arbitrarily call an apple an orange? There are other paths than math to mastering one's own mind. That you see AH as merely someone who has learned to, "...control his fears and emotions," indicates your lack of understanding the meaning of my post. Have you read The Teachings Of Don Juan by Castañeda?

[@riveteye93]

​@@Marco-717to master ones mind means to use your mind as a tool, not be used by your mind. It doesn't mean your tool is the best tool there is it means you're the one in control. You know like when you know you need to do something, but end up just doing useless stuff? Or be adamant that you need something, but that thing is just a poison that slowly kills you? Mind can be a great servant, but a terrible master sometimes.

[@Marco-717]

@@reddiver7293 I don't need to read a guru's ideas on who and what a warrior is. Alex isn't going into battle. Talk about apples and oranges lol I put on the armor of the Lord. What about you? King Solomon was the wisest man to have lived and he spoke nothing about 'controlling his mind'. He calls everything vanity;your clothes get eaten by moths, your car rusts, and thieves come in the night for your money. Your soul is precious, so seek Him before you try and seek yourself

[@blindleader42]

@@Marco-717 King Solomon was so wise, he didn't know what the sun was , let alone where it went at night.

[@Parasmunt]

His climb of El Cap is something i have enormous respect for, it was a thing of beauty.

[@greenman6141]

Why Alex Honnold stopped climbing without ropes? Because he is an intelligent person, who cares about other people, and wants to remain alive.

[@anthonyrenaud5783]

What an amazing person. He has a wife and son to think of now. it's great that he has accomplished so much. Time to enjoy another side of life.

[@kathykraft5445]

Wife and daughter, not son

[@PaulHarris-sl1ct]

I am a solo ocean sailor. While working at a sailmaking loft I was approached by a climber. He asked me to do some work on a platform that he used while making multi day ascents. While performing this we got to talking. I thought (and kind of still do) that he was either insane or had a death wish for putting himself in such precarious situations. He said that he had the same opinion of me. In fact, each of us expressed total terror of the other's "hobby". He choses to risk life and limb on the face of a mountain while I do it on the ocean. Neither of us could conceive of trying the other's sporting endeavors. Neither of us ever really consider the fatal consequence of our endeavors although looking back on some of the things I survived makes me shudder. I am still not sure why we do what we do (some call it "thrill seeking"). facing a lonely demise is not "thrilling " it is a calling. Just gotta do it.

[@jeromedamian5740]

honestly I always thought he would end his climbing activity from a tragedy. I am sure glad he now uses gear It's not often people like this make these changes and are still around . Now I'm sure there are all sorts of opportunities for him but I imagine teaching people to climb would be his thing . I would think a movie may be a option as well.

[@TasmanianTigerGrrr]

Free solo rock climbers indelibly end up dead if they keep doing it, they will eventually have a slip that results in their death

[@emilyscloset2648]

Especially limit free solo's most try on lead or even top rope to dial in the moves first

[@borntoclimb7116]

Same

[@crebspark]

he's just prepping for K2

[@Trip_Fontaine]

In case you didn't know, they already made a documentary film about his free solo climb of El Capitan. It's simply titled "Free Solo" (2018).

[@garycywinski9440]

I got a couple of reasons for Alex to climb with ropes from now on.Sanni, June and joining Peter Croft as a great free soloist who is still alive. You've done enough Alex

[@roughtakes7271]

Yeah the video title can be interpreted BOTH ways. Why he stopped climbing without ropes (not using any at all) OR Why he stopped climbing without ropes (and decided to use them again). Context I guess. Like you, I hope he follows the latter to reduce the probability of an accident which increases the more you partake in this pastime...

[@user-mi1rh8eq4t]

Amazing athlete, physically and especially mentally. He has nothing more to prove. I hope he never solos another route and lives a long, happy life.

[@Alex-eg6lx]

It's cool but not very atheletic

[@user-ni7zw1ud8g]

​@@Alex-eg6lxlol. Wtf? Do you think someone could climg the north wall without physical training?

[@user-fk7bb9jb7v]

I can't believe it's even possible. It is certainly the most amazing act of athleticism and concentration ever

[@davebritton7648]

It's always amused me that an anagram of Alex's second name is Hold onn.

[@vickiesims1600]

I’m impressed by his accomplishments and also by his wisdom in deciding now to use ropes. His family I imagine appreciates that

[@user-no1cares]

I can save all you climbers that know Alex some time if you go straight to 10 mins in & watch the last 18 secs.

[@jra379]

A proof that Alex is highly intelligent. He knows that it is one thing to push his limits to the maximum, but with age, it is much more difficult to push this maximum achievements back to normal.

[@Nightwishmaster]

Very cool video! Minor detail, you mention that El Cap would be twice as tall as anything else he had ever solo'd before but you missed one major part of his climbing history and what initially made him famous, his free solo of The Regular Northwest Face of Halfdome at 2200 feet (Freerider on El Cap being 3300 feet). Halfdome is probably the most iconic and photographed feature in Yosemite and nobody else has ever even attempted to solo it before. The video clips from 6:33 to 6:38 when he's wearing the green and white shirt are videos from that climb and the second one of him standing on the ledge is one of the most famous modern day climbing photos. I really am not trying to sound nitpicky so please don't take it that way! I just wanted to point out that it was a really, really important part of his career and is probably the second most important ascent he's ever done. Free Solo obviously made him far more famous than he was but it was the Halfdome solo that originally brought him his fame.

[@petermartin9494]

Amen

[@jerryjuliangutierrez7536]

Well were is your video ol that's right your a Lil dork at mama and dadas smh kid go away your online hiding behind a stupid name and dumb pic 😂😂😂you kids love to type stupid but no one sees your video ol that's right your a dork

[@aironiversen9214]

did mention the climb at Halfdome at around 5:38 and said it was where Alex's popularity really took off.

[@Lew114]

I'm glad he achieved so much and that he followed his heart. I'm also glad he decided to start using ropes again. No matter how low the risk is, numbers eventually catch up. He's a wonderful human being. I think the world is better with him alive. I trad climbed a lot in my youth. I never free soloed so the risks I took were much lower than what Alex does. I understand the allure of climbing and the acceptance of risk to live your best life. I haven't done any lead climbing since my kids were born. I'm thankful that I got to have that season in my life. Sometimes I miss it, but I feel that quitting was the right decision for me. I wonder if his feelings and experience are similar. Whatever he chooses, I wish him the best.

[@zacharyfindlay-maddox171]

I watched Solo, and man, my palms literally started sweating! What an incredible man.

[@RevLeonPLeon]

He is such a inspiration. Thanks to his devotion I was able to free solo two flights of stairs sans ropes, harnesses or a handrail.

[@i.ehrenfest349]

Please stop doing that. Think of your family.

[@mayaamis]

I'm so glad to hear this. everyone who knows what he's done has been impressed and stunned by his accomplishments for years.. but every so often I would google him just to see if he's still alive. the nature of solo climbing is you do it until the bad day happens, one stone breaks away, or your arm is not as strong, or you finger slips, and you die. climbers rarely give it up before that. I hope he really sticks to this decision and keeps climbing in safer way. he literally has nothing more to prove and has a great life with his family ahead. so refreshing to see when men like this put their safety and family FIRST instead of selfishly keep chasing adrenaline rushes

[@LD-qj2te]

I Have followed Alex since he started out. He is so inspirational . They greatest athlete ever . He is not only an athlete but an engineer in intellect through his study and execution of a plan !

[@damianbyrne1664]

The concentration and clarity of thought is extraordinary.

[@andrewz4537]

I used to climb at a moderately high standard for the time. I ran into a climbing partner who still climbs. He was telling me some of his current ventures. In the conversation l said, "there are more important things in life than climbing." He said, "who told you that, your mother?" I replied, "no" that he had said that to me in the past. He lóoked down and we said good by.

[@andreagriffiths3512]

Free solo was on tv, late at night, once and I just happened to click on near the end. I rang my friend (it being Covid lockdown) and told her to turn on her tv, that there was this guy just scaling a cliff face like he was strolling down the shops. We watched in absolutely gobsmacked.

[@Switch_Hitta_Beats]

The most underrated channel on KZbin and the only channel I have notifications on for. Keep up the great work.

[@trod5902]

straight up bro, this man does legendary work. its unfortunate he hasnt gotten the monetary recognition he deserves (yet!)

[@Dusted1]

Wow thanks man I really appreciate that

[@beckturley8302]

don’t forget to zip up after you finish buddy

[@Nini-pw4uf]

Hope you’re under 15. Otherwise, well… an other waste of (seemingly) human genetics.

[@dwightyawg7781]

Aka the dumbest channel on KZbin. Already ran outta skaters to throw dirt on so now he’s moved on to random shit

[@barbaracohen2856]

Fabulous video, thanks very much!....so inspiring!💙

[@GavinJGallagher]

Excellent documentary. Well done 👏🏼

[@user-yj8zh5hz3l]

This is great news. Alex is the GOAT amongst free style climbers. As we get older we incrementally lose muscle strength. It can be very subtle and unnoticeable. For most of us that’s not a problem. But in Alex’s craft even a tiny increment of muscle strength decrease could be fatal. Climb on with ropes Alex and enjoy your lovely family.

[@squamish4244]

They actually scanned Alex's brain and found that he has much smaller amygdalae than normal. His fear centre (which is strongly associated with the right amygdala) has quite literally _never_ registered for him. He says he has never felt fear or panic climbing. But he has always been careful and technical, so he has still made the most rational choices for his safety without feeling fear. I'm relieved to hear he has stopped free soloing. So his rational mind said, "Stop. You're living for two people now." He must be an evolutionary freak. But studying people like him is also helping scientists understand and learn how to treat anxiety disorders through targeted brain stimulation. Very interesting. I myself have a severe anxiety disorder and OCD. I have volunteered for a trial at a nearby hospital where they use focused ultrasound - targeted, non-invasive brain stimulation - to break a loop deep in the limbic system (the emotional 'monkey' brain) that has a 2/3 success rate so far. I doubt I'll turn into Alex Honnold but I am cautiously optimistic.

[@daphnesuarez5924]

I saw that so yes.

[@GalenMajor]

Mad respect for this man!

[@daphnesuarez5924]

Did you see the foot slip at 0:17?! Crazy!

[@hotstixx]

Delighted to hear it.

[@marielavole626]

I would love for him (and others like him) to be able to see their grandchildren grow up someday. It is hard to understand why a rope would make the athletic achievement less impressive.

[@consciousobserver629]

He has more than proved himself by now. Better to preserve his life and live longer. He has a family that needs him.

[@LankyBastid_]

I am baffled by the insanity of endurance Alex has. I consider myself an endurance climber and can easily out-climb most experienced climbers on the number of 5.11 or harder routes I can throw down in a day, yet the idea of doing 7000'+ ranging from 5.10 to 5.13a in a day is something I can't ever imagine doing. I'm lucky to do even 1500'ft on 5.10 to 5.12b in a day, so it's absolutely humbling to know he has done so much more at a significantly harder difficulty for some of it is absolutely humbling and incredibly motivating at the same time.

[@NuggyRC]

Solid video though the one thing I would say maybe wasn't the best editing choice was using footage when referring to his fall that is from a man who was live streaming a hike up Mt Fuji in the middle of winter by himself and then slipping and falling to his death.

[@ElleDuderino]

Oh snap, really?? I avoided watching that video but now I kind of want to go back and finish it after knowing I’ve already seen a part of it!

[@Pacifica.Obscura]

This quality of work you’re gonna blow up

[@stanparker9556]

Haven't watched yet but there was only one comment and I know it's absolutely gonna be worth being seen. Doing my part.

[@momerathsoutgabe-mt1gc]

What an amazing person. This is the type of person I want my son looking up to.

[@sybentley6675]

The world is a better place with him in it. Glad he ropes up now!

[@leonantoniou6192]

I can never get over the look in his eyes.. there’s a man who has stared death in the face numerous times and seems completely unfazed about anything

[@shadysif6220]

That's not a good thing, our mortality is an inescapable truth. Death has zero respect and isn't impressed with anything we do. Greater talents than him, have left this plane of existence kicking, screaming, completely shocked as they fell to their doom. The more he climbs, the greater the chances he dies.

[@ElleDuderino]

Whatever is behind that look in his eyes is the same thing that kept him alive all these years….

[@fortnight5677]

@@shadysif6220 "Chances," don't work like that. If he has 1% chance of falling and he doesn't, it doesn't raise his chance of falling during next climb to 7% chance. As long as he is fit and has the mentality, the chances are the same. Only variable is random things. Climbing can be done for so long, age doesn't matter in terms of sports unless you are competing against youngs. Be fit and up to date, that's enough to do the job if not fast. Your mentality is like thinking the more you lose a gamble the higher the chances that you will win next time. No, chances are always the same. Each time you try, you always have %1 chance to win a gamble. It's not a guarantee that out of 100 tries you will at least win once, or that you will lose 99 times.

[@alexanderwirtz9580]

Good video, informative and we'll put together

[@Will-hw9tg]

Great video once again!! Keep up the good work, it will pay off.

[@davidwilliams7552]

The mental strength necessary to do sonething so unimaginable and unecessary is beyond most peoples capacity to comprehend. Respect.

[@hotchihuahua1546]

After reading the comments , I agree ! He has proven himself and doesn’t need to keep doing this ! I wish him well and could see him teaching the sport to others . That is , with the proper safety gear !

[@judyo923]

Most fatalities amongst climbers are statistically due to age related decline. This video has not addressed the biggest reason Mr. Honnold might never free solo again. He knows his limitations, he understands the risks and has assessed them to not be in his favor. He's not in his peak twenties, or even peak thirties anymore. And more often than not, you find older, middle-aged climbers who are the ones who get hurt or killed on mountains.

[@charliewatts6895]

This is true. There was a free soloist in the 1970s I l think. He had suffered an injury but then decided to try free solo again in his 40s. He died on that ascent.

[@j.griffin]

More often than not? I would say most are still young when they die or get seriously hurt… that is to say, those who are really good at it. Regardless, people need to be honest with themselves as to their limitations… especially as they age.

[@SecretSpots]

Got to see him climbing in person in Red Rock Canyon, NV. What a treat.

[@daphnesuarez5924]

Did anyone see that Alex actually slipped at 0:17?! OMG! My heart literally skipped a beat when I first saw this, then watching it over & over again literally gave me a mini heart attack! In all the footage I've watched of Alex I've never ever seen a foot slip like this one before! Check it out & tell me what you think?! It's beyond WILD! He is the only man on Earth that has accomplished the death defying feats & I'm so happy that he is slowing down finally because that means I can breathe a lot easier now LOL!

[@007ElSenor]

I totally understand Alex. When I was young, most of my climbs were free solo, only because I didn’t have someone to climb with- every time I found someone to climb with, eventually they either moved away or stopped climbing with me as I pushed for more difficult climbs. I dreamed of moving to somewhere, where I could hookup with other climbers. But, then I met a girl who didn’t climb, and eventually married-life took another direction.

[@OneTwoHD]

That clip of the man sliding off the mountain is a Japanese streamer and thats the last live footage before his tumble to death.

[@ohsweetmystery]

A legacy of reaching maturity after youth, thinking of others and not just yourself, is also something to be proud of.

[@tomdebevoise]

This makes me want to run to our local walls (Seneca Rocks) and start soloing...not. But this feat of the human spirit is inspiring.

[@donjohnson5653]

Thanks Alex for not free soloing any more. God bless you and your family. Your an awesome man!!!

[@augursaudiocult]

Well done 🔥

[@gaiaiulia]

I'm glad Alex decided climb with ropes, not least because he now has a child. I'm awed by all he has achieved and he has nothing he needs to prove to anyone or himself. I got into bouldering (gym climbing) after watching AH in Free Solo (between my fingers and heart in mouth). My son, who was watching with me, asked me if I'd like to come climbing with him. And I did. It's over a year now and I'm hooked.

[@Taranofsky]

So glad he hit that point; when John Bachar died, I was just…crushed, like DUDE, you are FIFTY TWO, you have a family sure but also 52 is OLD to be cocksure about every single hand hold.

[@straceshow3212]

Free soloing El Cap is the greatest athletic achievement of all time as far as I'm concerned. Winning Super bowls, World Series, Stanley cups even the Olympics don't even come close and are rather minor in comparison.

[@banzobeans]

Great news. Happy he's able to switch gears. It's a passion, not an addiction.

[@tubeklw4533]

Very wise indeed to give up (for the most part) climbing without a rope. Nobody, not even Alex Honnald, can stay at the pinnacle of their climbing career forever.

[@sandytrunks]

@9:55 "While editing this video Alex Honnold released a new documentary of a new climbing achievement." Could someone please provide more information; such as a KZbin or other such link to this new documentary? Edit: Was it perhaps the YT video titled? "Alex Honnold Solos The Phoenix"?

[@GenJackDRipper]

Nice vid man

[@13donstalos]

His huge paws are a physical gift. They are made for climbing.

[@Memesaplenty]

Truly the greatest athletic achievement of all time.

[@krist.7419]

Marc Andre Leclerc beats him by far...

[@user-eh3zv1ex5o]

@@krist.7419 He died at 25. Alex lives.Case closed.

[@macsenhayes]

I watched the movie and I still don't quite believe he actually did it. Thank God I didn't go see that on the big screen!

[@angrycamping]

Alex would never describe himself as the GOAT, or anywhere near it. He often cites other climbers like Marc Andre Leclerc as being on a different level. He's humble, he's a great communicator and an inspiration. Big fan of him and the work he does, to make the world a better place.

[@lawrencesounddesign1862]

If alex climbed the rest of his life on toprope, there'd be no lost respect. He's more than proven his capability and the legend status is firmly fixed in the history books.

[@iambiggus]

El Cap is indeed one of the tallest, most impressive granite faces. If you want to see the tallest, check out Mt Thor (Thor's Peak) in Canada. It's another thousand feet taller, and Earth's greatest vertical drop on land.

[@rickitynick4463]

Some of that cliff face is 3.5 billion years old. You'll also be climbing some of the oldest rock on the planet.

[@miukku]

i think it could be win one more oscar if makes movies about alex he is the greatest of free soloing.

[@friedrice2307]

I honestly dont carw qhat kind of climbing he does. Any climbing he does is fantastic. I hope we see a lot more of him

[@rayzamarripajr.7571]

Alex is the climbing GOAT

[@knicknack2370]

I think he realizes now with a family, his mindset is different...what made him fearless and calm free solo is now gone given he has his family in the back of his mind so he's more at risk of falling... using ropes is definitely the wise choice...i love this guy's courage!!

[@joelharris8766]

Amazing 😮

[@sam-ww1wk]

Living in the same area, amongst many accomplished big wall climbers and adventurers of many types, literally, everyone near my age has slowed down, due to kids, wives, having to pay a mortgage, not being injured so you can go to work, not being injured so you can still play, and so on. Being 10 years older than him, 5 years ago I thought to myself that dude should slow his roll. Only my opinion, to each their own, though. You can still have a ton of fun only pushing it at 70-80%. Despite what most younger people think, including myself in my 20's, I thought it would be my aging body that slowed me down. In nearly the same shape at around 50, it's simply not wanted to die or get more injuries. Stay in shape, make calculated risks, and you can do this shit into your 60's at least.

[@TheOneanjel]

He has committed to the age old wisdom of leaving at the top. Don't keep trying to out do your own greatest achievement.

[@lupo3694]

Alex is such a remarkable human being.

[@Juezma52]

Yes he is, and he needs to live to show us what else he can achieve rather than plummeting to his death. He no longer needs to prove anything.

[@nrnoble]

What a majority of lay people do not know about free soloing is that climbers practice the free solo route countless times with ropes to determine if they can free solo the route. Often during their practice climbs they actually fall many times, but the ropes save them. At some point, they decide they can do the route without ropes because they have successfully completed the climb several times with ropes without falling. They may also decide after falling too many times without success, that the route is too difficult to free solo.

[@seancascanet1420]

I climbed an oak tree in my back yard and broke my arm..this shit is crazy..and I was only 10ft off the ground

[@msbeecee1]

I'm really glad & relieved he has shifted gears. That proves hes not a climbing addict

[@fabrice9252]

I am glad with that news. Alex Honnold has nothing to prove anymore to himself or to anyone: he's the man who achieved one of the greatest, if not the greatest, physical and mental challenge a human being ever accomplished. An insane feat a normal being can hardly fathom and process realising that his life was hanging on a thread, or should I say on a few millimeters square of rock sometimes at the tip of his climbing shoe or fingertip on a vertical wall nearly 1000m high! ... And which would not have forgiven the most tiny mistake. I do think that is a very wise decision given that he's now irremediably getting older and has now a family with a child... Respect. A million Bravos Alex! Take care and stay safe man!

[@user-xo2cf3ti8e]

Yes you done so much for your sport but your a great man as well. Don't keep pushing the limits anymore. Find other things to fill that void this world still needs you

[@stevelibby6852]

I am glad to hear. he's done it all already. No need to die. On a long enough timeline, something tragic will happen.

[@davidkatz1829]

I am sure Alex has many onsight free solos. Very common in the free soloing world. You need to honestly understand your actual climbing ability and it can add greatly to the satisfaction factor

[@TeurStyle]

good video🖖🖖

[@xkidgey]

My hands get sweaty every time I watch a video of somebody free climbing

[@Ken-fh4jc]

This is giving me serious anxiety just watching. Guess I’m not cut out for climbing.

[@artfrommymind1096]

Watch the movie fall it has the same affect lol except it is make believe still freaky

[@rachkaification]

This guy is just out of this world.

[@boyzinthewood1]

Thinking about it, any climb over, say 50ft is equally fatal. Full respect to all climbers of all types. I couldn't do it.

[@staffordhebert6160]

Free Solo won an Oscar, not an Emmy.

[@tomperkins5657]

EXCELLENT!

[@sf9145]

I see a sheer, flat vertical surface. Alex sees tiny steps. Crazy stuff.

[@maipful]

The greatest achievement a free-soloist can achieve is to be able to finish in time, stay alive and die old.

[@Kariakas]

I discovered him before free solo along with a few other great climbers. I remember being particularly impressed with Alex and Ueli Steck. Sadly the consequences caught up with Steck, hope Alex can evade that fate.

[@jamesstrom6991]

Very admirable.

[@mrsmith4662]

I hope he never climbs without ropes again. Live long and prosper.

[@reddjustaguy1598]

I’m glad he’s using ropes now.. so many legendary climbers lost because it was never enough.

[@mca081983]

I like how Alex underestimate himself What a humble dude