I shot this with Alex when he was pretty unknown, for Momentum Video Magazine. Katie Brown was working with me and kindly belayed Alex for a couple days.
Thanks so much for posting, I saw a copy of this video on youtube many years ago and it's one of my all-time favourites! I'm stoked to give it another watch
For those curious, the first route here is "Belly Full of Bad Berries" - one of the hardest trads in the US if not the world. Alex is wildly strong and an incredibly experienced trad climber and a beast at jamming
Just the other day I was perusing a back issue of Rock&Ice from 2007, with an article about a 21 year old Alex, when he was just starting to get noticed but had yet to establish himself as a free soloist. Alex was going around flashing and onsighting all sorts of 5.12s and 5.13s. Some older pro was quoted as saying (paraphrasing here) "The kid needs to get a work ethic. He could climb so much harder if only he'd did more projecting" Dude had no idea, lol.
Idk it’s kinda true though, Alex never pushed that high of grades despite his talent, he prefers cruising up moderately difficult to easy climbs. He isn’t known for the same thing someone like Adam Ondra or Schubert are known for.
good ol' bambi before he had kids, fame, etc although he seems (speaking from media alone) to still be just as humble and chill as he was when this was filmed
You'd never remember me, but I used to see you and Boone around in lcc and possibly AF canyon in 2001 or 2 or so. Used to watch some of the earliest content b4 youtube. Peace.
Mannn first off, they playn some chill biggie, second off it’s ‘08 so the music is a given. And third it’s a new sick video of Alex just b stoked and enjoy the video
That music and those slide show slowmo effects definitely scream 2008 lol. Thanks for sharing!
it is what it is, as they say
Thanks so much for posting, I saw a copy of this video on youtube many years ago and it's one of my all-time favourites! I'm stoked to give it another watch
brilliant stuff MC - thanks for sharing with all of us. - Casey
For those curious, the first route here is "Belly Full of Bad Berries" - one of the hardest trads in the US if not the world. Alex is wildly strong and an incredibly experienced trad climber and a beast at jamming
yea its insane how doable he makes it. that route would kill most casuals. lol.
Ondra said it was "One of the hardest fights of my life" if I recall correctly.
dude, really appreciate you sharing your art. always inspired/inspiring.
thanks todd.
This is so cool thank you so much for this!
Just the other day I was perusing a back issue of Rock&Ice from 2007, with an article about a 21 year old Alex, when he was just starting to get noticed but had yet to establish himself as a free soloist. Alex was going around flashing and onsighting all sorts of 5.12s and 5.13s.
Some older pro was quoted as saying (paraphrasing here)
"The kid needs to get a work ethic. He could climb so much harder if only he'd did more projecting"
Dude had no idea, lol.
Idk it’s kinda true though, Alex never pushed that high of grades despite his talent, he prefers cruising up moderately difficult to easy climbs. He isn’t known for the same thing someone like Adam Ondra or Schubert are known for.
Dude was probably completely correct. Alex popped off once he started committing himself to bigger projects
5.12 to 5.13 is moderate to easy? lol.. lets see your tick list.@@bryanbryan6108
Absolutely love the older editing style and shots
Alex gets into every crack.
he's such a baby in this
We were all babies once! I just wish I started climbing at this baby age lol
good ol' bambi before he had kids, fame, etc
although he seems (speaking from media alone) to still be just as humble and chill as he was when this was filmed
Ive met em a couple times in Veags and he is definitely just as chill and humble, really nice dude.
Great vid. Greasing out of that o.w. upside down was kinda funny to watch.
Brilliant
Doesn’t get much better 🤙
You'd never remember me, but I used to see you and Boone around in lcc and possibly AF canyon in 2001 or 2 or so. Used to watch some of the earliest content b4 youtube. Peace.
whats your name? I might remember.
Great content Michael, thanks for sharing. Whats your linkedin
Thanks MC, what is the song and/or artist for the piano music and also while he’s ascending Switzerland w/ love?
Impossible to find
no way...@@zacherymeier682
My friend Cooper made those tracks... DJ Roberts
They're awesome tracks, thank you@@mikecallvideos
5:23 had me in stitches
Is there any chance to download that song DJ Roberts "Free the weed"? thank you....
Yipes.
What's the name of the song starting at 3:20? Literally can't find it anywhere, even Google can't recognize it
some slowed down (idk why) biggie - kick in the door remix. all the music is listed in the credits too
@@jjkall thanks, I managed to find the original song, but it's the remix that I'm looking for
I know this guy free solos but I was worried he was gonna crack his skull falling upside down like that 😓
that ankle looked like a bomber hold
Si senior
Would be better without the music
That's one opinion
2 opinions now.
Yep 3
Mannn first off, they playn some chill biggie, second off it’s ‘08 so the music is a given. And third it’s a new sick video of Alex just b stoked and enjoy the video
10-4
No tape, no crack gloves.
No knee pads
Testarossas.
as you do
Is that Belly?
yep
Rap sucks, great climbs but the music isn't a good choice. Imagine a rapper understanding climbing. Not.
noted
music sucks. typical rap bullshit.