Free soloing climbing. While incredibly dangerous, it represents pure climbing in its most elemental form. ” Alex Honnold free soloing Cosmic Debris (5. [2] As a pioneer of “free solo” climbing—a controversial discipline in which cliff faces are scaled without safety ropes and failure results in death—Honnold, 35, knows how to perform under Deep-water Solo is a form of free-solo rock climbing where the climber lands into a deep pool of water. Though many climbers Jul 13, 2016 · Free soloing is a type of free climbing that involves climbing routes with no aids or protection whatsoever – no trad gear, no bolts, no rope, nothing to catch a fall. 13a on El Capitan, the first ever person to free-solo the gigantic Yosemite monolith. In free soloing, you climb without any ropes or protective gear, relying solely on your skills and mental fortitude. Though many climbers have free soloed climbing grades they are very comfortable on, only a tiny group free solo regularly, and at grades closer to the limit of their abilities. 2. Follow Alex Honnold as he attempts to become the first person to ever free solo climb Yosemite's 3,000 foot high El Capitan wall. Jan 18, 2024 · Alex Honnold, the GOAT, the champ, the master of free-soloing is the most recognizable figure in American rock climbing. Alex Honnold faces the biggest challenge of his career, climbing El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. Free soloing is a highly personal thing. Jun 3, 2025 · Eight years ago today, on June 3, 2017, Honnold became the first climber to free-solo El Capitan in Yosemite via the 30-pitch Freerider. Using just their hands and feet in some sticky-rubber Oct 3, 2018 · Watch Alex Honnold’s journey toward his rope-free climb of Yosemite National Park's El Capitan in Free Solo, the Oscar-winning film by E. Sep 30, 2025 · Alex Honnold, the rock climber known for his daring “free solo” feats of ascending cliffs without the help of any ropes or safety equipment, has set his sights on a new challenge: Taiwan’s Jun 17, 2024 · In the world of extreme sports, free solo climbing stands as one of the most exhilarating and perilous pursuits. The controversy over free soloing has been around since it’s beginnings – but it’s hard not to be captivated by the unique style of climbing Free Soloing is the act of climbing without any rope, harness, or safety equipment. Unlike traditional climbing, where a climber is secured with a rope, harness, and other protective gear, free solo climbers trust only their body and abilities. ” The term free climbing will instantly bring chills to your spine if you haven’t heard it before. The definition of free soloing according to Merriam-Webster is: a climb in which a climber uses no artificial aids for support and has no rope or other safety equipment for protection in case of a fall. May 8, 2023 · Free climbing is a commonly mistaken term for free soloing. He passed away doing what he loved. Mar 1, 2022 · To date, Free Solo is considered among the best climbing films of all time. The climber only uses their hands and feet to move up the rock wall. Aug 27, 2025 · A complete overview of climbing history and jargon. * It's been long overdue to feature another greatest free solo climbs video, so here it is. Here's the story of what at the time was my most monumental and perspective shifting experience in these great mountains. May 13, 2025 · An avid ropeless climber explores the terms scrambling and free soloing, surveying pro climbers and his own experience. Oct 3, 2022 · In a new book, Jeff Smoot, author of “Hangdog Days,” launches an encyclopedic investigation into free soloing’s history… and why we do it. The thing is, climbers have been climbing ropeless for a long time. This adrenaline-fueled activity involves climbing sheer rock faces without r… Dec 20, 2024 · Martin Feistl, 27, was among the most talented and bold climbers of his generation. 13a, the first-ever big wall free solo ascent at that grade), [3] a climb described in The New Free soloing and soloing are distinct climbing styles. In free climbing, the person not only climbs alone, but he also climbs without any ropes or harnesses to protect him in case of a slip or fall. Nov 2, 2022 · Whether you're a first-time climber or a seasoned mountaineer, at some point, you've probably heard the term "free climbing. 7) with a friend (with a rope) and we let someone who was soloing pass us. Oct 1, 2025 · Free Solo climber Alex Honnold is reaching new heights in a new Netflix special, Skyscraper Live, which sees him climb the tallest building in Taiwan. [1] Free soloing is the most dangerous form of climbing, and, unlike bouldering, free soloists climb above safe heights, where a fall can be fatal. Only a select few individuals possess the incredible skill, mental fortitude, and sheer guts to attempt such feats. May 14, 2024 · In the realm of rock climbing, there exists a daring and highly specialized discipline known as free solo climbing. So, in short, free soloing is an extremely dangerous sport, one that has led to the untimely deaths of many experienced climbers. His 6 days ago · Alex Honnold is an American professional big-wall rock climber known for his daring free solo (climbing without the aid of ropes) ascents of some of the world’s tallest cliffs. [1] Free soloing is the most dangerous form of climbing, and, unlike bouldering, free soloists climb at heights Jul 5, 2024 · What is free soloing? Our climbing expert looks into its history, considers how dangerous it is and explains what sets it apart from free climbing Nov 2, 2023 · In this article, we’ll dive into the thrilling world of free soloing and shine a spotlight on the most famous free soloists of our time, both past and present. In 2017, he free-soloed Freerider 5. [5][6] Alex Honnold (born August 17, 1985) is an American rock climber best known for his free solo ascents of big walls. With no ropes or safety gear, this would arguably be the greatest feat in rock climbing history. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, Sunday March 3 at 9/8c Sep 3, 2023 · Many people will use the terms free solo, solo, and free climbing interchangeably. It's a very effective way to work the moves on your project for as long as you want without having to drag a belayer along. One slip, and it’s game over. Kyle Walker (2019, The Flatirons, Boulder, Colorado): Survived a fall from 18 meters (60 ft) while free solo climbing. Let's take a look back. Jun 4, 2022 · The term free soloing is usually applied to steep and technical rock climbing done with only hands and feet, with the sole equipment being climbing shoes and chalk bag, but the word solo also applies to ice climbs and routes done ropeless in the Alps and Greater Ranges. Free solo climbing (or free soloing) is a form of rock climbing where the climber (or free soloist) climbs on technical terrain without ropes or any form of protective equipment — they are allowed to use climbing shoes and climbing chalk (or ice tools and crampons if ice climbing). For his next feat, he's going to attempt a new challenge in the Oct 23, 2017 · Discover the most legendary free solo climbs of all time, showcasing incredible feats of courage and skill in the world of climbing. He pursues it Free Solo, which means climbing without a rope and alone. By 2017, he was already one of the world’s best free-soloists. Apr 14, 2025 · Free Solo Rock Climbing and the Climbers Who Have Defined the Sport Free soloing means climbing with no rope, a genre that verged into American consciousness in the 1970s. Free solo climbing, or free soloing, is a form of rock climbing where the climber (or free soloist) climbs solo (or alone) without ropes or other protective equipment, using only their climbing shoes and their climbing chalk. This form of soloing predominantly shines on single pitch climbing but can be used if there's a fixed Oct 2, 2025 · For his next feat, free-solo climber Alex Honnold is going to attempt a new challenge in the form of a 1,667-foot climb. When free soloing the 2nd Flatiron, you get to choose your own adventure. He’s best known for his daring free solo climbs on the big walls of Yosemite and beyond. This makes it one of the most thrilling yet incredibly risky forms of climbing. But it is not madness. I was climbing Olive Oil (5. Dec 13, 2018 · Free solo climber Alex Honnold prepares to achieve his lifelong dream: scaling Yosemite's 3,200-foot El Capitan without a rope. Sep 22, 2021 · Free soloing, going alone without a rope or any protection, is the most dangerous form of climbing. It holds a 97% “Fresh” score on film review site Rotten Tomatoes, which states that the film “depicts athletic feats that many viewers will find beyond reason – and grounds the attempts in passions that are all but universal. Jun 1, 2021 · We’ll discuss whether rock climbing solo is safe or not, some common solo climbing activities, and how to find climbing partners. Free solo climbers rely solely on their own strength, skill, and endurance to reach the summit. Norelco, after a "cordless" electric Alex Honnold completes the first free solo climb of famed El Capitan's 3,000-foot vertical rock face at Yosemite National Park. Whether it’s your physical strength, mental focus, or selection of the right equipment, each factor has a direct impact on your safety and performance. Oct 2, 2025 · Rock climbing legend Alex Honnold will attempt to free solo Taipei 101, the world’s 11th tallest skyscraper, in a live Netflix event in 2026. We'll figure out just what free climbing is and if it's the same as free soloing Free Solo is a 2018 American documentary film directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin [4] that profiles rock climber Alex Honnold on his quest to perform the first-ever free solo climb of a route on El Capitan, in Yosemite National Park in California, in June 2017. He has made a name for himself as the world’s foremost free-solo climber, clinging to the rock face with nothing but a chalk bag and a pair of TC Pros. We ment Oct 1, 2025 · ‘Free Solo’ Climber Announces His Next Daring Feat—and It’s Streaming Live on Netflix Alex Honnold has never met a skyscraper he didn’t want to climb. Some consider it the purest form of climbing, but it is also extremely dangerous since a single mistake can mean almost certain death. #climbing Oct 22, 2018 · Free Solo does admirably dive into an uncomfortable question: Was the film crew influencing Honnold to go through with the climb? The crew certainly seems uncomfortable. Unfortunately, after the film, many lay On the other hand, I think free soloing is pretty stupid. Nov 16, 2023 · Free solo climbing, or free soloing, is the practice of climbing rock or ice without a rope. Whitewater hosts the world’s largest deep-water solo competition every year during Tuckfest featuring the world’s preeminent climbers. What Does It Mean To Free Climb Something? To free climb a route means you climbed the entire thing using your skills and strength – only using the gear to stop a fall. Free solo climbing (sometimes also just called soloing) [2] is where the solo-climber uses no climbing protection (or any form of climbing aids), whatsoever, except for their climbing shoes and climbing chalk (for a rock-climber) or ice tools (for an ice-climber), to ascend a climbing route. " Now that movies like Free Solo and Dawn Wall have brought climbing into the mainstream, however, Feb 24, 2023 · Free solo climbing is a dangerous and extreme form of rock climbing in which the climber ascends without any rope, harnesses, or other protective gear. In August, a 29-year-old woman died after being struck in From award-winning documentary filmmaker E. He takes a sport with an already significant amount of risk and turns it into a life-or-death scenario. Free soloing Mar 19, 2019 · Meanwhile free climbing does involves ropes and safety equipment but only as protection from falling, rather than an aid to help you progress the climb. Available In the world of rock climbing, few names inspire as much awe, admiration, and occasional disbelief as Alex Honnold. I had a moment of realization as I saw him and thought to myself "I Nov 24, 2024 · Alex Honnold is an American climbing legend and perhaps the most famous rock climber in history. Nov 16, 2024 · Free solo climbing is an activity that involves climbing rock faces or cliffs without the use of ropes or any safety gear. Oct 1, 2025 · The ‘Free Solo’ star will ascend the tallest building in Taiwan in 2026, and the event will be beamed live on the streaming platform Honnold will climb Taipei 101 in 2026 (Photo: Netflix) Free soloing or free solo climbing is a type of rock or ice climbing where climbers, or more commonly known as free soloists, climb alone without using safety equipment such as ropes, harnesses, helmets, and the like. Beginners need to start their climbing journey with safety and proper preparation. Unlike traditional climbing methods that involve ropes, harnesses, and protective gear, free soloing is a form of climbing where the climber ascends sheer rock faces alone and without any safety equipment. Free solo climbing is, in its simplest form, rock climbing stripped down to its raw essentials: just the climber, their climbing shoes, chalk and the rock. What exactly is free solo climbing? In a free solo climb, often called soloing, you’re climbing cliffs without using any climbing equipment, save for your rock shoes and chalk bag. We use the term free climbing to differentiate from using the gear to actually help you get up the wall – normally called aid climbing. Mar 5, 2025 · What Is Free Solo Climbing? Free solo climbing, in its simplest form, is rock climbing without any safety gear. Jul 3, 2021 · In September of 2018, I completed my first climb and free-solo of the Grand Teton via the Owen-Spalding Route. After a Jun 20, 2023 · The Twinkie solo encapsulated many idiosyncrasies of Howell’s free soloing: climbing hard, steep routes that had awkward descents; a tendency to climb with his shoes untied, or without chalk Virtual reality offers professional climber Alex Honnold a new and innovative way to share his incredible free solo climbing thanks to VR's immersive authent Deep-water soloing (DWS), also known as psicobloc (from "psycho-bouldering"), is a form of free solo climbing where any fall should result in the climber landing safely into deep water below the route. It involves climbing massive rock faces without any ropes, harnesses, or other safety equipment. Sep 21, 2023 · Check out some of the world's most legendary, frightening, and ground-breaking free solos of all time. Free climbing is sometimes misunderstood as relating only to the formats of free-solo climbing or of solo climbing, which is not correct. So what is free climbing? And is it the same as free soloing? In this article we explain what free climbing is, and what it isn Free climbing is, without a doubt, the most common form of rock climbing, while free soloing is the least. Apr 11, 2021 · That’s called free soloing. In particular, the film highlighted a niche style of climbing called free soloing. The fall was livestreamed. [National Geographic] Sep 24, 2023 · In free solo climbing, climbers ascend without the use of ropes or gear for protection, a practice that places the utmost priority on mental strength and technical skill. In the case of rock climbing, free soloists use only their hands, rock shoes, and sometimes climbing chalk to ascend a wall, with no rope to catch them in the event of a fall. Free climbing can also be performed as bouldering or as free solo climbing (no climbing protection whatsoever). 6 days ago · Earlier this year, an 18-year-old from Texas died in the park while free-soloing, or climbing without a rope, on a different formation. The word ‘free’ instantly transports you thousands of feet off the ground with no rope, no harness and no belayer. Free climbing is much safer and includes many climbing styles like Aug 11, 2022 · The difference between free soloing and free climbing is very simple: while most free climbers are attached to a rope to protect them in case of a fall, a free soloist climbs without any type of protection. James Lucas dives into the story (and backstory) of Honnold's path to Freerider. Earlier this year, an 18-year-old from Texas died in the park while free-soloing, or climbing without a rope, on a different formation. It's extremely dangerous and practiced by only a handful of elite climbers. 13b), Yosemite Valley. We discuss rope soloing here. Jun 4, 2022 · Free soloing means climbing with no rope or gear, a historic genre that in the late 1970s, through the Yosemite-based John Bachar--at the time nicknamed Mr. How Alex Honnold made ‘the ultimate climb’—without a rope His stunning scramble up the 3,000-foot granite wall known as El Capitan, in less than 4 hours, came after meticulous planning and May 11, 2025 · Free solo climbing is one of the most dangerous sports in the world. Jun 11, 2025 · What Is Free Solo Climbing? Free solo climbing involves ascending rock faces using only hands and feet, without any form of artificial aid or protection. 6 days ago · A 23-year-old Alaskan climber, Balin Miller, died after falling from El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. Nov 15, 2023 · This is the exhilarating world of free solo climbing, where the stakes are as high as the peaks themselves. Apr 22, 2025 · Earl Prunty—the "upside down free soloist"—was known for downclimbing unroped upside down. Soloing, on the other hand, is a broader term that can involve protective equipment like ropes and harnesses, even though you're climbing alone May 28, 2019 · We followed Alexa up the slab, beginning the thousand-ish foot climb. Honnold rose to worldwide fame in June 2017 when he became the first person to free solo a full route on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park (via the 2,900-foot route Freerider at 5. Free soloing is the most dangerous form of climbing, and, unlike bouldering, free soloists climb above safe heights, where a fall can be fatal. (Mikey Schaefer May 23, 2024 · Free solo climbing is the riskiest of all forms of climbing. His free-solo took three hours and 56 minutes. Sep 21, 2017 · And John Bachar, with Peter Croft perhaps the name most associated with free soloing in the 1980s and ‘90s, fell to his death in 2009 while climbing unroped at the Dike Wall near Mammoth, California, the exact cause of his fall unknown. In 2018 it blew up, with Alex Honnold's mind-bending solo of El Capitan and the award-winning film that chronicled it. Dec 13, 2018 · Free Solo: Directed by Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi. Chai Vasarhelyi and world-renowned photographer and mountaineer Jimmy Chin, comes FREE SOLO, a stunning, intimate and unflinching portrait of free Nov 29, 2024 · Conclusion Free solo climbing is a thrilling and rewarding adventure, but it also comes with a lot of risk. The death occurred during a solo climb and marks the third fatality in the park this Introduction to Top Rope Soloing “The best climber in the world is the one having the most fun!” ~ Alex Lowe Top Rope Soloing is the simplest form of rope soloing. Apr 30, 2023 · Free soloing gets a bad rap in many parts of our world, but it is mostly misunderstood. There are a lot of lines to take up the mountain, and we chose to go to the right, which is apparently marginally harder. To further complicate matters, the film depicted a free solo ascent on one of the largest pieces of rock in North America, documenting one of the most impressive free solo ascents known to mankind. When it comes to rock climbing as a whole, it is a generally safe sport. NPS is investigating. We started making our way more left, and then ended up getting caught in the line the people trad climbing were taking. Free solo climbing is a type of rock climbing where the climber does not use a rope, harness, or other safety gear. . What is Free Soloing? Free soloing means climbing without any ropes, harnesses, or protective equipment. The bottom line is, free soloing sucks. Indeed, free soloing means exactly that, but free climbing is something entirely different. Oct 2, 2025 · It's been several years since renown free-solo climber Alex Honnold became a national sensation in the hit documentary Free Solo. It is imp Feb 3, 2022 · With the recent influx of climbing media, jargon like 'soloing' is spilling out into the general public. It makes people uncomfortable to watch and unfortunately it has gotten a lot of attention lately in popular media. For the uninitiated, free soloing is a dangerous form of rock climbing where the climber ascends without protective gear or a rope. Free soloing, for those who don’t already know, is rock climbing without any protection — no ropes to catch you if you fall. The absence of safety equipment means that if a climber falls, the consequences can be dire, often resulting in Mar 22, 2024 · Honnold's free solo of El Cap didn't occur in a bubble. Nov 10, 2023 · The 2018 film, Free Solo, deposited rock climbing into the limelight. Sep 4, 2020 · Alex Honnold climbing 3,000 foot up El Cap without a rope in “Free Solo” caught the world’s attention. Subscribe: http Free solo climbing, also known as free soloing, is a form of rock climbing that pushes the boundaries of human achievement and endurance. Jul 7, 2023 · *Do not attempt any of the activities shown in this video. Best known for his unprecedented free solo ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park—climbing 3,000 feet of sheer granite without ropes or protective equipment—Honnold has redefined the boundaries of what many thought humanly possible in the vertical realm. It’s just the climber and the rock face. According to a UK study UK, you have more chances dying running or playing tennis while dying rock climbing. Jun 17, 2022 · The Surprisingly Relevant Free Solo Advice from Alex Honnold Alex Hannold trains an experienced climber on free soloing in Las Vegas. Perhaps one of the vaguest and most misunderstood terms in rock climbing though, is free climbing. It is a common misconception that these terms all refer to the same thing. People are free to do stupid things if they want, but anyone who's doing it should be very conscious of the effect their potential deaths could have on others. Immerse yourself in the experience of free solo climbing Yosemite’s famous El Capitan alongside Alex Honnold in this breathtaking 360 video. [2] Free soloing is the most dramatic soloing-technique and in 2017 became an Oscar-winning documentary May 19, 2022 · Free climbing, sport climbing, trad climbing, bouldering – there seem to be so many different types of rock climbing. Oct 14, 2019 · Has Alex Honnold’s free solo climb of El Capitan sparked more daredevils? At least one free soloist has fallen to his death since the film was released. Let’s explore some of … Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. We’ll explore their jaw-dropping achievements and the legendary climbs that have earned them a place in rock climbing history. With Alex Honnold, Tommy Caldwell, Jimmy Chin, Cheyne Lempe. Mar 30, 2024 · The Numbers: Free Solo Death Rates Let’s start with some cold hard numbers to get an idea of how much free solo contributes to solo climbing deaths and accidents. It involves scaling vertical rock faces or cliffs without any safety ropes, harnesses, or protective gear. The Whitewater Center’s deep-water solo complex has five walls ranging from 20 to 45 feet in height, offering various levels of difficulty. Oct 16, 2023 · Just lead climbing. In this realm, a select few climbers have pushed the boundaries of what's possible, achieving ascents that leave us mere mortals in awe. Only a few are capable of it. We’ve included both a mix of free-solo climbers and free climbers in this list of inspirational men and women. He died after a 130-foot free solo fall. There are inherent dangers to climbing solo, as a partner can help with belaying or even call for help in case of an accident. 6 days ago · Balin Miller, famed solo climber, died after rappelling off the end of his rope on El Capitan. Oct 2, 2025 · If you’re new to climbing, Honnold is one of the most accomplished trad climbers ever, with dozens of awe-inspiring free-solos, alpine first ascents, and hard trad climbs. Dean combined his pursuits to conceive the idea of FreeBASE - free solo climbing up tall, overhanging walls, with a BASE jumping parachute on his back for a marginal degree of safety should he fall. 4zg5y 0olj8 w0k oxsb rncw bqt9spk r2ut1 xrmeq agbb gpc4