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

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  • Опубліковано 28 жов 2018
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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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КОМЕНТАРІ • 9 тис.

  • @samjohnson5288
    @samjohnson5288 3 роки тому +24243

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

    • @alexossmann3332
      @alexossmann3332 3 роки тому +290

      Hahahaha facts

    • @chrisegan6671
      @chrisegan6671 3 роки тому +1211

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

    • @huckleberrylachow2202
      @huckleberrylachow2202 3 роки тому +80

      There’s no doubt

    • @user-ih1vb9ot1m
      @user-ih1vb9ot1m 3 роки тому +516

      He probably rehearsed the speech for the last 10 years

    • @lw216316
      @lw216316 3 роки тому +231

      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.

  • @teti_99
    @teti_99 4 роки тому +14917

    Death once had a near Alex experience.

    • @sk8punk318
      @sk8punk318 4 роки тому +37

      Vic Diesel lol

    • @blackscoped
      @blackscoped 4 роки тому +36

      Noice

    • @BB_The_Impaler
      @BB_The_Impaler 4 роки тому +150

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

    • @absurdseba
      @absurdseba 4 роки тому +9

      Vic Diesel this comment is underrated

    • @MrJackWorse
      @MrJackWorse 4 роки тому +25

      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!

  • @midnight.ramen.
    @midnight.ramen. 3 роки тому +8416

    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
      @colatf2 3 роки тому +685

      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
      @tickled41 2 роки тому +93

      It was like that unicorn guy on the mountain

    • @Davidman3976
      @Davidman3976 2 роки тому +258

      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
      @meneither3834 2 роки тому +54

      "Good Morning !"

    • @roytv9722
      @roytv9722 2 роки тому +8

      Lol hahaha

  • @azophi
    @azophi Рік тому +3340

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

    • @doctort.quinlan4101
      @doctort.quinlan4101 Рік тому +14

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

    • @windowsxp2255
      @windowsxp2255 Рік тому +19

      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
      @ChickenJoe-tq6xd Рік тому +9

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

    • @Comica863
      @Comica863 Рік тому

      Wow

    • @extraslayar4585
      @extraslayar4585 Рік тому +28

      @@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.

  • @danielmitchell4127
    @danielmitchell4127 5 років тому +6782

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

    • @cliftonjames785
      @cliftonjames785 5 років тому +11

      Why?

    • @rara58524
      @rara58524 4 роки тому +726

      @@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
      @Mike-nq7fn 4 роки тому +88

      Yeah he was talking pretty fast but did a good job

    • @cragjames544
      @cragjames544 4 роки тому +91

      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
      @shane9525 4 роки тому +6

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

  • @Qwerty-qy9oj
    @Qwerty-qy9oj 4 роки тому +21856

    The dislikes are from people who sell ropes

  • @Threehuahuas
    @Threehuahuas Рік тому +3428

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

    • @dstarkspp
      @dstarkspp Рік тому +7

      He has that title….

    • @farrel_ra
      @farrel_ra Рік тому +1

      @@dstarkspp agree, legend

    • @Peter22334
      @Peter22334 Рік тому +33

      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
      @555dino Рік тому +4

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

    • @blackmore4
      @blackmore4 Рік тому

      He'll soon be a dead climber though.

  • @pinetraps2369
    @pinetraps2369 3 роки тому +5135

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

    • @IPoopOnYouEveryLastOneOfYou
      @IPoopOnYouEveryLastOneOfYou 2 роки тому +200

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

    • @charliechan578
      @charliechan578 2 роки тому +168

      Well documented aspergers.

    • @DRsideburns
      @DRsideburns 2 роки тому +43

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

    • @freddy7171
      @freddy7171 2 роки тому +70

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

    • @KahurangiSteez
      @KahurangiSteez 2 роки тому +116

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

  • @danieln5041
    @danieln5041 3 роки тому +14119

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

    • @squierstrat9502
      @squierstrat9502 3 роки тому +3516

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

    • @scepts
      @scepts 3 роки тому +507

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

    • @springersoon4541
      @springersoon4541 3 роки тому +300

      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
      @theknowlodge8294 3 роки тому +45

      I totally agree with you.

    • @theknowlodge8294
      @theknowlodge8294 3 роки тому +885

      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.

  • @nicogloria5378
    @nicogloria5378 3 роки тому +2696

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

    • @mrslinkydragon9910
      @mrslinkydragon9910 3 роки тому +79

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

    • @Truen091
      @Truen091 3 роки тому +111

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

    • @laurieroach2127
      @laurieroach2127 2 роки тому +12

      LoL

    • @IPoopOnYouEveryLastOneOfYou
      @IPoopOnYouEveryLastOneOfYou 2 роки тому +5

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

    • @greatdane8128
      @greatdane8128 2 роки тому +6

      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

  • @Nismo331
    @Nismo331 Рік тому +1093

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

    • @beargrylls6135
      @beargrylls6135 Рік тому +48

      Mountain goat

    • @julianto3796
      @julianto3796 Рік тому

      @@beargrylls6135 Hahaha

    • @elijahjohnston3172
      @elijahjohnston3172 Рік тому +3

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

    • @elijahjohnston3172
      @elijahjohnston3172 Рік тому +5

      Marc-André Leclerc

    • @beargrylls6135
      @beargrylls6135 Рік тому +3

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

  • @erincook6007
    @erincook6007 Рік тому +451

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

    • @Stoneybologna005
      @Stoneybologna005 Рік тому +5

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

    • @user-uw3zu6my8d
      @user-uw3zu6my8d Рік тому +34

      @@Stoneybologna005 … in the form of a speech

    • @altonb93
      @altonb93 Рік тому +2

      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
      @jam-dn2ug Рік тому

      There’s multiple prompters below him

    • @ProudToBeAHillbilly
      @ProudToBeAHillbilly Рік тому

      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...

  • @jinkstacks4830
    @jinkstacks4830 3 роки тому +6650

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

    • @ashe_xox
      @ashe_xox 3 роки тому +68

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

    • @charlesg7926
      @charlesg7926 2 роки тому +22

      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
      @romankaz2633 2 роки тому +123

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

    • @dickurkel6910
      @dickurkel6910 2 роки тому +81

      @@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
      @alexanderinsubordinate1861 2 роки тому +3

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

  • @tucowept
    @tucowept 4 роки тому +4785

    It took me three attempts just to watch Free Solo.

    • @georgeflorit823
      @georgeflorit823 3 роки тому +35

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

    • @TheFarmersFarmington
      @TheFarmersFarmington 3 роки тому +5

      You just don’t love the mountains enough

    • @lordofthestings
      @lordofthestings 3 роки тому +6

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

    • @WiseJefe
      @WiseJefe 3 роки тому +23

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

    • @lolkevandewitte1713
      @lolkevandewitte1713 3 роки тому +6

      You made me laugh real hard! Thx!

  • @therapturecrf
    @therapturecrf 2 роки тому +333

    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
      @MyMostBeautifuCinema Рік тому +8

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

    • @antsinhispants8185
      @antsinhispants8185 Рік тому

      ❤ Amazing

    • @HighStakesDanny
      @HighStakesDanny Рік тому +5

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

    • @ethanmessinger4798
      @ethanmessinger4798 Рік тому +1

      Wholesome story!!

    • @YesIndeed869
      @YesIndeed869 Рік тому +1

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

  • @KC-wf7qt
    @KC-wf7qt 2 роки тому +368

    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
      @bluerfoot 3 місяці тому +2

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

    • @piggypiglet7770
      @piggypiglet7770 2 місяці тому

      ​​@@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
      @pro-socialsociopath769 Місяць тому +1

      Whataaaaa guy

  • @kheushadiagne190
    @kheushadiagne190 5 років тому +6106

    Free solo : The best horror movie of all time

    • @jcp1756
      @jcp1756 5 років тому +37

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

    • @yovecx6407
      @yovecx6407 5 років тому +9

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

    • @AB-gz9yb
      @AB-gz9yb 5 років тому +19

      kheusha diagne makes my palms sweat just watching it

    • @stevenm4117
      @stevenm4117 5 років тому +4

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

    • @jcp1756
      @jcp1756 5 років тому

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

  • @edwardrawn8157
    @edwardrawn8157 4 роки тому +4319

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

    • @Jamie-Russell-CME
      @Jamie-Russell-CME 4 роки тому +69

      Sponsors pay bills

    • @PopularTower
      @PopularTower 4 роки тому +4

      lol

    • @johnathant6735
      @johnathant6735 4 роки тому +3

      Edward Rawn Probably sweats a lot. I get it

    • @BarginsGalore
      @BarginsGalore 4 роки тому +4

      Johnathan T not the best quality in a rock climber

    • @deathpixelgaming
      @deathpixelgaming 3 роки тому +16

      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)

  • @chelseafaulkner3642
    @chelseafaulkner3642 2 роки тому +70

    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

  • @mau5099
    @mau5099 Рік тому +227

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

  • @jeffbanks9955
    @jeffbanks9955 4 роки тому +5362

    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
      @Almenhorst 4 роки тому +34

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

    • @grebe2332
      @grebe2332 4 роки тому +235

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

    • @Almenhorst
      @Almenhorst 4 роки тому +22

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

    • @grebe2332
      @grebe2332 4 роки тому +190

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

    • @Almenhorst
      @Almenhorst 4 роки тому +5

      @@grebe2332 good!

  • @Gloatz
    @Gloatz 5 років тому +4287

    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
      @benoneill4805 5 років тому +32

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

    • @townley1017
      @townley1017 5 років тому +131

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

    • @justlikeyouful
      @justlikeyouful 5 років тому +46

      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
      @Flosseveryday 5 років тому +2

      @Holophonic I agree with you.

    • @truthhurts88
      @truthhurts88 5 років тому +13

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

  • @Manuelino1979
    @Manuelino1979 2 роки тому +227

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

    • @BobbyGeneric145
      @BobbyGeneric145 2 роки тому +4

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

  • @Roachehh
    @Roachehh 3 роки тому +55

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

  • @bossatron3544
    @bossatron3544 3 роки тому +3426

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

    • @bossatron3544
      @bossatron3544 3 роки тому +60

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

    • @EGarrett01
      @EGarrett01 3 роки тому +83

      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
      @Kraken9911 3 роки тому +36

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

    • @EGarrett01
      @EGarrett01 3 роки тому +5

      @@Kraken9911 His dad had Aspergers.

    • @CrazyStranger11
      @CrazyStranger11 3 роки тому +73

      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.

  • @eddieyammine9047
    @eddieyammine9047 4 роки тому +3785

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

    • @full-timepog6844
      @full-timepog6844 4 роки тому +149

      the earth is his testicles.

    • @fonzario
      @fonzario 4 роки тому +21

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

    • @fonzario
      @fonzario 4 роки тому +16

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

    • @MrT13
      @MrT13 3 роки тому +1

      Yea at the base of the mountain lol

    • @nevaidhyasingh4323
      @nevaidhyasingh4323 3 роки тому +4

      underrated comment!

  • @alanmckenzie3228
    @alanmckenzie3228 2 роки тому +410

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

    • @bernard4459
      @bernard4459 2 роки тому +1

      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
      @Reelman11 2 роки тому +8

      And none of it actually matters lol

    • @TwinkleDobson
      @TwinkleDobson 2 роки тому +12

      @@bernard4459 wtf lol

    • @nawaal4452
      @nawaal4452 2 роки тому

      Wtf bernard 😂

    • @abhisheksharma1779
      @abhisheksharma1779 2 роки тому

      @@bernard4459 what?

  • @DK-pn8bd
    @DK-pn8bd 6 місяців тому +25

    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.

  • @UCs6ktlulE5BEeb3vBBOu6DQ
    @UCs6ktlulE5BEeb3vBBOu6DQ 5 років тому +4715

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

    • @mohamadkhalid1808
      @mohamadkhalid1808 4 роки тому +36

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

    • @8sigreg
      @8sigreg 4 роки тому +67

      I accidentally ate my chalk pouch while watching the video.

    • @vedikasahu4833
      @vedikasahu4833 4 роки тому

      How?

    • @vedikasahu4833
      @vedikasahu4833 4 роки тому

      @@8sigreg How ?

    • @shammyshakes6478
      @shammyshakes6478 4 роки тому +17

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

  • @mewyattt
    @mewyattt 5 років тому +2671

    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
      @lurkster1974 5 років тому +24

      Without cleaning out your guts - bravo ;-)

    • @danazonart
      @danazonart 5 років тому +12

      Funniest comment yet...

    • @MiTmite9
      @MiTmite9 5 років тому +35

      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
      @waitandhope 5 років тому +3

      bravo

    • @Gweidemann
      @Gweidemann 5 років тому +4

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

  • @user-wq7ki8lh4n
    @user-wq7ki8lh4n 2 роки тому +31

    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
      @sandol355 3 місяці тому +4

      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.

  • @kitrichardson2165
    @kitrichardson2165 Рік тому +6

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

  • @ankyfire
    @ankyfire 4 роки тому +2714

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

    • @paulmitchell5349
      @paulmitchell5349 4 роки тому +49

      Most weddings are scarier.

    • @thebranclan4826
      @thebranclan4826 4 роки тому +10

      paul mitchell not when the average person remarries 3 times😂

    • @xxxy0l0xxxxyt4
      @xxxy0l0xxxxyt4 4 роки тому

      You HAD 333 likes 😐

    • @nimmuraj
      @nimmuraj 4 роки тому +1

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

    • @zmei24
      @zmei24 3 роки тому

      😂😂😂

  • @homosapienfactory6291
    @homosapienfactory6291 3 роки тому +13

    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
      @ravener96 2 роки тому +2

      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.

  • @whiteangel127
    @whiteangel127 Рік тому +6

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

  • @JV-df9em
    @JV-df9em 3 роки тому +2582

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

    • @Thomas-fk3cw
      @Thomas-fk3cw 3 роки тому +158

      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
      @MrShadowfax42 3 роки тому +74

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

    • @charliechan578
      @charliechan578 2 роки тому +2

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

    • @garbour456
      @garbour456 2 роки тому +43

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

    • @jayh5840
      @jayh5840 Рік тому +33

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

  • @rossturpin4696
    @rossturpin4696 3 роки тому +5421

    This dude doesn’t struggle to open jars.

    • @matthewchavez5322
      @matthewchavez5322 3 роки тому +210

      The jar struggles to muster the courage to open.

    • @jedediahcleveland3472
      @jedediahcleveland3472 3 роки тому +243

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

    • @Redeemed2Righteousness
      @Redeemed2Righteousness 3 роки тому +62

      jars pop open when he looks at them

    • @ruppellsbooden8917
      @ruppellsbooden8917 3 роки тому +3

      Hahah mad call

    • @EidosTrantorianum
      @EidosTrantorianum 3 роки тому +25

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

  • @pandanarkystudios5198
    @pandanarkystudios5198 Рік тому +25

    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
      @Liam.2000 Рік тому +2

      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
      @liam3104 Рік тому +8

      @@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.

  • @carpathianwolf05
    @carpathianwolf05 Рік тому +36

    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.

  • @fraserhills3296
    @fraserhills3296 3 роки тому +923

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

  • @JakeLovesCoffee
    @JakeLovesCoffee 3 роки тому +2927

    El Capitan has those “fake fall” dreams about Alex

  • @jonathanbyrdmusic
    @jonathanbyrdmusic Рік тому +34

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

  • @monugupta32
    @monugupta32 2 роки тому +17

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

  • @theknowlodge8294
    @theknowlodge8294 3 роки тому +4266

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

    • @fernendo4
      @fernendo4 3 роки тому +49

      I totally agree.

    • @unclewilbur8976
      @unclewilbur8976 3 роки тому +38

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

    • @AnyoneCanSee
      @AnyoneCanSee 3 роки тому +14

      @@unclewilbur8976 - He also has superhuman hands.

    • @julienwood577
      @julienwood577 3 роки тому +70

      The fact he did it in 3.5 hours is insane

    • @dktlls97
      @dktlls97 3 роки тому +14

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

  • @MrBigburke22
    @MrBigburke22 4 роки тому +936

    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
      @staple_gun6367 4 роки тому +136

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

    • @user-lk1ky1hx5r
      @user-lk1ky1hx5r 3 роки тому +8

      @@staple_gun6367 lmao

    • @rubenvelazquezjr6756
      @rubenvelazquezjr6756 3 роки тому +3

      @@staple_gun6367 😂

    • @kingsed91
      @kingsed91 3 роки тому +2

      And shout at him so he gets disturbed and falls

    • @vagabondultimate
      @vagabondultimate 3 роки тому +5

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

  • @ptrainingbytim
    @ptrainingbytim Рік тому +23

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

  • @Hibachi_Dru
    @Hibachi_Dru 4 місяці тому +8

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

  • @byoobyoo1280
    @byoobyoo1280 4 роки тому +1267

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

    • @crawler9065
      @crawler9065 4 роки тому +1

      haha.

    • @MehYam2112
      @MehYam2112 3 роки тому +27

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

    • @thithanhhieupham8947
      @thithanhhieupham8947 3 роки тому +1

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

    • @jameswilliamson1407
      @jameswilliamson1407 3 роки тому

      Fucks sakes 😂😂

  • @borisburgess5428
    @borisburgess5428 5 років тому +2297

    He then trips down the stairs as he walks off stage

    • @TheBigGianTz
      @TheBigGianTz 5 років тому +67

      Its always easier gettin up lol

    • @ponderatulify
      @ponderatulify 4 роки тому +19

      how is this not the top comment ?

    • @andresbarriga5305
      @andresbarriga5305 4 роки тому +16

      Brakes his neck.

    • @beninglis5259
      @beninglis5259 4 роки тому +14

      And dies

    • @danepotmo2513
      @danepotmo2513 4 роки тому +36

      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.

  • @AniPo42
    @AniPo42 Рік тому +17

    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).

  • @smushie75
    @smushie75 5 місяців тому +4

    My hands were sweating just looking at his pics..I am so thoroughly impressed with this guys absolute dedication to getting something, however insane, done perfectly, for himself. I haven’t found my “El Cap”, I hope I will someday, and that I will have the guts and grit to accomplish whatever it will be.

    • @BnFGProductions
      @BnFGProductions 5 місяців тому +1

      I’d watch the documentary « Free Solo ». Literally had me clenching my fists at points it’s absolutely insane!

    • @ace_Knows_Enough
      @ace_Knows_Enough 4 місяці тому

      My hands and feet sweat profusely whenever I watch his climbs 🤣😂

  • @Cobrashadows
    @Cobrashadows 4 роки тому +1892

    I need chalk just to listen to this.

    • @chapo4473
      @chapo4473 3 роки тому +4

      🤣🤣🤣🤣😭

    • @travis8106
      @travis8106 3 роки тому +28

      I feel that, my hands are sweating so much

    • @Oddie99000
      @Oddie99000 3 роки тому +10

      My hands do be sweating rn

    • @marley6369
      @marley6369 3 роки тому

      lol

    • @paysonfox88
      @paysonfox88 3 роки тому +2

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

  • @caioaugusto2282
    @caioaugusto2282 5 років тому +2389

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

    • @beerthug
      @beerthug 4 роки тому +11

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

    • @krimo5700
      @krimo5700 4 роки тому +1

      This is not applicable 100% though..

    • @Lak3baby
      @Lak3baby 4 роки тому

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

    • @Rahul-uk4su
      @Rahul-uk4su 4 роки тому +4

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

    • @oswal1853
      @oswal1853 4 роки тому

      True
      Respect🦅

  • @chrisbach2750
    @chrisbach2750 Рік тому +2

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

  • @danjw2604
    @danjw2604 2 роки тому +3

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

  • @thehandleiwantedwasntavailable
    @thehandleiwantedwasntavailable 5 років тому +2364

    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
      @davidxiao64 5 років тому +79

      “Please keep it that way” 😳👌

    • @edmondtondu3042
      @edmondtondu3042 5 років тому

      Autoexpert.com.AU

    • @jaytrock3217
      @jaytrock3217 5 років тому +4

      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
      @TheAstroWitchLux 5 років тому +45

      @@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
      @AwesomeGreen8 5 років тому +73

      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

  • @markkudlachjr4557
    @markkudlachjr4557 5 років тому +297

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

  • @LivingProofFilmz
    @LivingProofFilmz 2 роки тому +3

    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.

  • @theoutsider6191
    @theoutsider6191 Рік тому +2

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

  • @jasonwong7140
    @jasonwong7140 5 років тому +4101

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

    • @doctordilanka
      @doctordilanka 5 років тому +58

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

    • @oliveryoung7785
      @oliveryoung7785 5 років тому +168

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

    • @alexc7857
      @alexc7857 5 років тому +17

      @@oliveryoung7785 best comment ever ,😂😂

    • @danslik1738
      @danslik1738 5 років тому

      Lolololxp

    • @nera9526
      @nera9526 5 років тому +24

      Legend says Thanos fears when Alex snaps his fingers

  • @inmyopinion651
    @inmyopinion651 5 років тому +2197

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

    • @IKEImusic
      @IKEImusic 5 років тому +3

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

    • @dejffjed
      @dejffjed 4 роки тому +33

      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
      @nlee4724 4 роки тому +24

      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
      @dejffjed 4 роки тому +3

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

    • @tickyul
      @tickyul 4 роки тому

      Democrats Only Never seen anything like it.

  • @joshuapatrick682
    @joshuapatrick682 2 роки тому +4

    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!

  • @saint5203
    @saint5203 2 роки тому +9

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

  • @vmk5465
    @vmk5465 4 роки тому +581

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

    • @imallergictobullets
      @imallergictobullets 3 роки тому +13

      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
      @osmark86 3 роки тому +4

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

    • @kremesauce
      @kremesauce 3 роки тому

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

    • @user-on2ys9jr6t
      @user-on2ys9jr6t 3 роки тому +2

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

    • @MichaelMcAlexander
      @MichaelMcAlexander 3 роки тому +1

      @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.

  • @aidanw9378
    @aidanw9378 3 роки тому +560

    "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.

  • @TheSekCXpert
    @TheSekCXpert 2 роки тому +2

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

  • @musashidanmcgrath
    @musashidanmcgrath Рік тому +3

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

  • @samknox1
    @samknox1 4 роки тому +1722

    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
      @sk8freshcst 4 роки тому +84

      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
      @bobcloughjr 4 роки тому +24

      @@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
      @subasurf 4 роки тому +10

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

    • @johnparnham3305
      @johnparnham3305 4 роки тому +1

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

    • @subasurf
      @subasurf 4 роки тому +7

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

  • @abesapien9930
    @abesapien9930 5 років тому +870

    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
      @BrianBarth 5 років тому +32

      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
      @ctaris2736 4 роки тому +1

      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
      @JoaoSilva22222 4 роки тому +2

      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
      @robertspringer92 4 роки тому +5

      He was going to be an engineer originally

    • @damien9654
      @damien9654 4 роки тому

      @@rosco4852 😄

  • @danieldevito6380
    @danieldevito6380 2 роки тому +11

    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
      @cadenceking8598 Рік тому +3

      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
      @OwlOfNivica 3 місяці тому

      @@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
      @cadenceking8598 3 місяці тому

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

  • @4word2death
    @4word2death 3 роки тому +43

    I wanna know what he did for the rest of the day after the climb. He made it to the top before lunch.

    • @DerceinArt
      @DerceinArt 3 роки тому +15

      According to the Movie He did of his usual climbing trainig after that

    • @Thomas-fk3cw
      @Thomas-fk3cw 3 роки тому +4

      He actually fell 3 times, skinned both knees, and sprained an ankle walking back down the trail.

    • @1911miguel
      @1911miguel 2 роки тому

      i think he said he practice after that

    • @ewanjedlic9776
      @ewanjedlic9776 2 роки тому +3

      bro he went back and did his finger exercises. he is a beast

  • @Seed2Stem
    @Seed2Stem 5 років тому +3182

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

    • @patrickkeeley3074
      @patrickkeeley3074 5 років тому +6

      Seed2Stem where can I watch it?

    • @digital_gravity
      @digital_gravity 5 років тому +10

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

    • @w.harrison7277
      @w.harrison7277 5 років тому +14

      "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
      @digital_gravity 5 років тому +15

      @@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
      @k.g.b9198 5 років тому

      Patrick Keeley youtube

  • @maskedman
    @maskedman 5 років тому +1303

    Finally a guy worthy for a Ted Talk.

    • @lamotta00
      @lamotta00 5 років тому +25

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

    • @buckrogers4820
      @buckrogers4820 5 років тому +3

      Paul stamets has an amazing talk

    • @Vendrix86
      @Vendrix86 5 років тому +5

      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
      @Vendrix86 5 років тому +2

      @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
      @mackenzieusher8025 5 років тому +5

      @@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.

  • @lindastephens1325
    @lindastephens1325 2 місяці тому

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

  • @dermsUK
    @dermsUK 2 роки тому +75

    Between Honnold's solo and Caldwell x Jorgeson's 19 day free-climb of El Cap, these men to me represent the absolute pinnacle of human physical performance and psychological endurance. All other sports seem like children's games by comparison. Even base jumping and skydiving is just a quick thrill compared to this.

  • @alexanderchaker
    @alexanderchaker 5 років тому +493

    Pressing the like button with sweaty hands is my achievement today

  • @jivarishi
    @jivarishi 5 років тому +1995

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

    • @RafaelW8
      @RafaelW8 5 років тому +24

      Words to live by

    • @RADlX
      @RADlX 5 років тому +42

      Words to climb by

    • @tedlemoine5587
      @tedlemoine5587 5 років тому +5

      That's the line thst caught my attention as well

    • @hardknockthuglife
      @hardknockthuglife 5 років тому

      @@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
      @golisanjiv 5 років тому +9

      Want*

  • @anisometropie
    @anisometropie Рік тому +3

    I think he was after some kind of a mystical experience as well.
    You’re facing death every step of the way. The level focus and presence in every single movement you’re doing is unimaginable.you’re completely absorbed in what you’re doing. you’re not just casually walking in a park. only the movement you’re doing right now exists in your perception.
    The kind of stuff you do in meditation. But here done to a completly different level.

    • @Yosef9438
      @Yosef9438 Рік тому

      I'd call it the opposite of seeking out mystical experience. He doesn't believe in any of that mumbo jumbo.

  • @felathar1985
    @felathar1985 4 місяці тому +1

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

  • @HeliosphanXtal
    @HeliosphanXtal 5 років тому +1548

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

    • @GravityRestored
      @GravityRestored 5 років тому +10

      HeliosphanXtal this is a good comment. I lold.

    • @ifeellikeyeezus8525
      @ifeellikeyeezus8525 5 років тому +1

      Corny

    • @warpviix
      @warpviix 5 років тому +2

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

    • @zigzagnemesist5074
      @zigzagnemesist5074 5 років тому +2

      no he actually climbed it idiot, watch the video

    • @gordoncheuk474
      @gordoncheuk474 5 років тому +22

      @@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

  • @yeeehaa28
    @yeeehaa28 5 років тому +759

    A national treasure climbing a national treasure.

    • @manbirdcat5246
      @manbirdcat5246 5 років тому +1

      yeeehaa28 thats sweet :D

    • @taikajorma7276
      @taikajorma7276 5 років тому +2

      yeeehaa28 Of germany?

    • @gigawertz2582
      @gigawertz2582 4 роки тому

      alex honnold climbs alex honnold

    • @gigawertz2582
      @gigawertz2582 4 роки тому +1

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

  • @LD-qj2te
    @LD-qj2te 9 місяців тому +2

    This is the most amazing feat in sports ever I think !! But also in planning , process engineering , project management and personal fortitude . Many lessons and inspiration to be learned

  • @charlesford157
    @charlesford157 2 роки тому +5

    It's interesting reading so many comments about other climbers saying how Alex climbing El Cap is not the hardest or most strenuous climb. That if normal average people understood climbing and how hard it can be that we would understand that free soloing El Cap in less than 4 hrs isn't the most impressive climb. I'm 58. I used to climb all the time. Believe me when I say this. Alex's climb of El Cap free solo in less than 4 hrs blows all other climbs out of the water. There is nothing wrong with rope climbing. Lead climbing in particular is very taxing and can be dangerous. You can die rope climbing. You can die rappelling. You can certainly die ice climbing, those folks are a breed of their own. Alex will even tell you he isn't the best climber and he means it but seriously, the El Cap free solo is the ultimate hands down.

    • @Arcticun
      @Arcticun Рік тому

      Well, it's the ultimate as to what people are willing to try. There are a few mountains that are more technically challenging than even El Cap, but not a single soul is dumb enough to free solo those, so El Cap is the realistic highest achievement. For example there have been a few people to free climb parts of the Eiger, but I don't think anyone in their right mind would attempt a free solo on the entire wall.

    • @aminyapussi4740
      @aminyapussi4740 Рік тому

      @@Arcticun I don't know anything about climbing but the thing about human achievements is give it 2 decades. There will be some really talented mf who attempts to free solo Eiger and maybe even succeed at it.

  • @Galactusz007
    @Galactusz007 5 років тому +2753

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

    • @hiddengame11
      @hiddengame11 5 років тому +247

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

    • @ConsentDeath
      @ConsentDeath 5 років тому +119

      @@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
      @mishaj5588 5 років тому +11

      Mike Tyson podcast is mint.

    • @odari-1071
      @odari-1071 5 років тому +20

      andy dufrense u wouldn’t be dead lmao 😂😂

    • @sh0cktim3
      @sh0cktim3 5 років тому +22

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

  • @jamesbentonticer4706
    @jamesbentonticer4706 5 років тому +4686

    This guy takes his life for granite.

    • @hommuside
      @hommuside 5 років тому +324

      That pun fucking rocks!!! Haha

    • @nba_fan7214
      @nba_fan7214 5 років тому +490

      he's definitely boulder than the average person

    • @clanof1144
      @clanof1144 5 років тому +15

      How dare you

    • @ryanbraun4964
      @ryanbraun4964 5 років тому +238

      Chalk it up to expirience...

    • @Hugo-and-Persia
      @Hugo-and-Persia 5 років тому +168

      He's definitely at the height of his sport!

  • @jacobduperon472
    @jacobduperon472 5 місяців тому

    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.

  • @joonwolf6817
    @joonwolf6817 2 роки тому +3

    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.

  • @sewhite11
    @sewhite11 5 років тому +827

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

    • @adisoncardoso
      @adisoncardoso 5 років тому +63

      that quote should be remembered for ages. absolutely insane.

    • @piffsquadtv9260
      @piffsquadtv9260 4 роки тому +14

      Made my feet sweat 🤣🤣🤣

    • @swyxTV
      @swyxTV 4 роки тому

      NOPE

    • @gregmichales1778
      @gregmichales1778 4 роки тому +3

      That’s the exact moment when I shat myself

    • @bobseaver7807
      @bobseaver7807 4 роки тому

      Greg Michales lol

  • @gotemcoach2346
    @gotemcoach2346 5 років тому +1136

    The Urban Dictionary has changed the figure of speech, "Balls of Steel " to "Balls of Honnold" as of 2017

    • @-mv
      @-mv 5 років тому +3

      2017?

    • @walcott423
      @walcott423 5 років тому +25

      Huge set of honnolds on that guy.

    • @gotemcoach2346
      @gotemcoach2346 5 років тому +2

      @@walcott423 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼👍🏼🍻🍺

    • @williamhernandez2531
      @williamhernandez2531 4 роки тому +1

      I read this as Holland and I thought “what did Spider-Man do?” Lol

    • @fonzario
      @fonzario 4 роки тому +2

      Straw Bunyan. A bystander at Alex’s van one time asked him, what’s the wheelbarrow for? Alex responded, Isnt it obvious?

  • @dillon6280
    @dillon6280 6 місяців тому

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

  • @dianac2498
    @dianac2498 2 роки тому +2

    He is really good at explaining overcoming fear.

  • @noahn.9555
    @noahn.9555 5 років тому +1761

    The scariest part isn't the fall, it's thinking about what would happen if you got stuck 2000 feet up. There is no opportunity to give up

    • @colinjava8447
      @colinjava8447 5 років тому +74

      Thats why he memorised the route, it would be daft otherwise.

    • @karlkarnu7641
      @karlkarnu7641 5 років тому +17

      there were checkpoints... so he couldn't just be stuck and fall off

    • @thenewsone9276
      @thenewsone9276 5 років тому +46

      if u got stuck? what a donkey of a comment. the scariest part is falling lol

    • @dlk449
      @dlk449 5 років тому +33

      @@karlkarnu7641 I think one of the t amazing parts of the accomplishment is that there were no outs. It was either up or down, no checkpoints, no turning back.

    • @karlkarnu7641
      @karlkarnu7641 5 років тому +2

      @@dlk449 I know... it was impressive. I was just stating facts.

  • @vipersqueal
    @vipersqueal 3 роки тому +755

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

    • @patheddles4004
      @patheddles4004 3 роки тому +3

      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
      @JubioHDX 2 роки тому +8

      @@patheddles4004 he is sponsored by them tho.

    • @extraslayar4585
      @extraslayar4585 2 роки тому +89

      @@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
      @patheddles4004 2 роки тому +2

      @@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
      @tsong3545 2 роки тому +24

      @@patheddles4004 sonny boi got owned

  • @alexthrailkill
    @alexthrailkill 7 місяців тому

    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.

  • @Darakkis
    @Darakkis 2 роки тому +1

    This never ever ever fails to absolutely blow my mind

  • @natep0611
    @natep0611 5 років тому +246

    I think Alex climbs, like he gives a lecture. He literally memorizes everything photographicly. Then does it word for word, and step by step.

    • @ShaferHart
      @ShaferHart 5 років тому +15

      Pretty much what I do for my presentations lol

  • @billybones3277
    @billybones3277 5 років тому +1297

    this is giving me anxiety and iim sitting in my bed eating fritos at 3 am lmfao

    • @coows
      @coows 5 років тому +3

      How hard was it to sleep?

    • @coows
      @coows 5 років тому +1

      @Exterioris-vallem 11:27 rn

    • @dominiquedoeslife
      @dominiquedoeslife 5 років тому

      billy bones lol same! (No fritos)

    • @dominiquedoeslife
      @dominiquedoeslife 5 років тому

      30G dude...same here.

    • @Yuna69able
      @Yuna69able 5 років тому +2

      I'm on my basement couch eating butter fingers.

  • @fran6b
    @fran6b Рік тому +3

    He planned and practiced El Cap like elite speedrunners plan and practice a speedrun, in a video game. But as speedrunners die countless time, as it's even a full part of the process, Honnold had one try, with his life on the line. It's a big difference, obviously, but there something so similar, at the same time, in the preparation and the execution. And here, Honnold just destroyed the any% El Cap with a blasting out of this world time, that's crazy! A forever legend! GG

  • @TheSwingthechain
    @TheSwingthechain 2 роки тому +4

    Treinei duro por meses, agora posso ver essa entrevista!

  • @shubhambaidya6126
    @shubhambaidya6126 3 роки тому +185

    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
      @RS54321 2 роки тому +7

      He was in the zone that day, for sure.