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

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  • čas přidán 28. 10. 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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Komentáře • 9K

  • @samjohnson5288
    @samjohnson5288 Před 3 lety +23937

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

    • @alexossmann3332
      @alexossmann3332 Před 3 lety +287

      Hahahaha facts

    • @chrisegan6671
      @chrisegan6671 Před 3 lety +1198

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

    • @huckleberrylachow2202
      @huckleberrylachow2202 Před 3 lety +80

      There’s no doubt

    • @user-ih1vb9ot1m
      @user-ih1vb9ot1m Před 3 lety +514

      He probably rehearsed the speech for the last 10 years

    • @lw216316
      @lw216316 Před 3 lety +230

      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 Před 4 lety +14729

    Death once had a near Alex experience.

    • @sk8punk318
      @sk8punk318 Před 4 lety +37

      Vic Diesel lol

    • @blackscoped
      @blackscoped Před 4 lety +36

      Noice

    • @BB_The_Impaler
      @BB_The_Impaler Před 4 lety +148

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

    • @absurdseba
      @absurdseba Před 4 lety +9

      Vic Diesel this comment is underrated

    • @MrJackWorse
      @MrJackWorse Před 4 lety +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. Před 3 lety +8284

    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 Před 2 lety +678

      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 Před 2 lety +91

      It was like that unicorn guy on the mountain

    • @Davidman3976
      @Davidman3976 Před 2 lety +254

      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 Před 2 lety +52

      "Good Morning !"

    • @roytv9722
      @roytv9722 Před 2 lety +8

      Lol hahaha

  • @azophi
    @azophi Před rokem +3229

    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 Před rokem +12

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

    • @windowsxp2255
      @windowsxp2255 Před rokem +17

      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 Před rokem +8

      @@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 Před 11 měsíci

      Wow

    • @extraslayar4585
      @extraslayar4585 Před 11 měsíci +27

      @@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.

  • @Qwerty-qy9oj
    @Qwerty-qy9oj Před 4 lety +21622

    The dislikes are from people who sell ropes

  • @danieln5041
    @danieln5041 Před 3 lety +14058

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

    • @squierstrat9502
      @squierstrat9502 Před 3 lety +3503

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

    • @scepts
      @scepts Před 3 lety +508

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

    • @springersoon4541
      @springersoon4541 Před 3 lety +299

      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 Před 3 lety +44

      I totally agree with you.

    • @theknowlodge8294
      @theknowlodge8294 Před 3 lety +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.

  • @WithLoveMomPetSitting
    @WithLoveMomPetSitting Před rokem +3381

    “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 Před rokem +7

      He has that title….

    • @farrel_ra
      @farrel_ra Před rokem +1

      @@dstarkspp agree, legend

    • @Peter22334
      @Peter22334 Před rokem +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 Před rokem +4

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

    • @blackmore4
      @blackmore4 Před rokem

      He'll soon be a dead climber though.

  • @pinetraps2369
    @pinetraps2369 Před 3 lety +5097

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

    • @IPoopOnYouEveryLastOneOfYou
      @IPoopOnYouEveryLastOneOfYou Před 2 lety +198

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

    • @charliechan578
      @charliechan578 Před 2 lety +165

      Well documented aspergers.

    • @DRsideburns
      @DRsideburns Před 2 lety +43

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

    • @freddy7171
      @freddy7171 Před 2 lety +69

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

    • @KahurangiSteez
      @KahurangiSteez Před 2 lety +115

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

  • @danielmitchell4127
    @danielmitchell4127 Před 5 lety +6721

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

    • @cliftonjames785
      @cliftonjames785 Před 5 lety +11

      Why?

    • @rara58524
      @rara58524 Před 4 lety +720

      @@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 Před 4 lety +88

      Yeah he was talking pretty fast but did a good job

    • @cragjames544
      @cragjames544 Před 4 lety +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 Před 4 lety +6

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

  • @nicogloria5378
    @nicogloria5378 Před 3 lety +2654

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

    • @mrslinkydragon9910
      @mrslinkydragon9910 Před 3 lety +78

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

    • @Truen091
      @Truen091 Před 3 lety +110

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

    • @laurieroach2127
      @laurieroach2127 Před 2 lety +12

      LoL

    • @IPoopOnYouEveryLastOneOfYou
      @IPoopOnYouEveryLastOneOfYou Před 2 lety +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 Před 2 lety +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

  • @erincook6007
    @erincook6007 Před rokem +431

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

    • @Stoneybologna005
      @Stoneybologna005 Před rokem +4

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

    • @user-uw3zu6my8d
      @user-uw3zu6my8d Před rokem +32

      @@Stoneybologna005 … in the form of a speech

    • @altonb93
      @altonb93 Před rokem +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 Před rokem

      There’s multiple prompters below him

    • @ProudToBeAHillbilly
      @ProudToBeAHillbilly Před rokem

      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...

  • @Nismo331
    @Nismo331 Před rokem +1074

    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 Před rokem +46

      Mountain goat

    • @julianto3796
      @julianto3796 Před rokem

      @@beargrylls6135 Hahaha

    • @elijahjohnston3172
      @elijahjohnston3172 Před rokem +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 Před rokem +5

      Marc-André Leclerc

    • @beargrylls6135
      @beargrylls6135 Před rokem +3

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

  • @tucowept
    @tucowept Před 4 lety +4767

    It took me three attempts just to watch Free Solo.

    • @georgeflorit823
      @georgeflorit823 Před 3 lety +35

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

    • @TheFarmersFarmington
      @TheFarmersFarmington Před 3 lety +5

      You just don’t love the mountains enough

    • @lordofthestings
      @lordofthestings Před 3 lety +6

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

    • @WiseJefe
      @WiseJefe Před 3 lety +23

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

    • @lolkevandewitte1713
      @lolkevandewitte1713 Před 3 lety +6

      You made me laugh real hard! Thx!

  • @kheushadiagne190
    @kheushadiagne190 Před 5 lety +6082

    Free solo : The best horror movie of all time

    • @jcp1756
      @jcp1756 Před 5 lety +37

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

    • @yovecx6407
      @yovecx6407 Před 5 lety +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 Před 5 lety +19

      kheusha diagne makes my palms sweat just watching it

    • @stevenm4117
      @stevenm4117 Před 5 lety +4

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

    • @jcp1756
      @jcp1756 Před 5 lety

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

  • @KC-wf7qt
    @KC-wf7qt Před 2 lety +358

    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 Před 2 měsíci +2

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

    • @piggypiglet7770
      @piggypiglet7770 Před měsícem

      ​​@@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 Před měsícem +1

      Whataaaaa guy

  • @therapturecrf
    @therapturecrf Před 2 lety +324

    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 Před rokem +8

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

    • @antsinhispants8185
      @antsinhispants8185 Před rokem

      ❤ Amazing

    • @HighStakesDanny
      @HighStakesDanny Před rokem +4

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

    • @ethanmessinger4798
      @ethanmessinger4798 Před rokem +1

      Wholesome story!!

    • @YesIndeed869
      @YesIndeed869 Před rokem +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.

  • @eddieyammine9047
    @eddieyammine9047 Před 4 lety +3777

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

    • @full-timepog6844
      @full-timepog6844 Před 4 lety +149

      the earth is his testicles.

    • @fonzario
      @fonzario Před 4 lety +21

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

    • @fonzario
      @fonzario Před 4 lety +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 Před 3 lety +1

      Yea at the base of the mountain lol

    • @nevaidhyasingh4323
      @nevaidhyasingh4323 Před 3 lety +4

      underrated comment!

  • @jinkstacks4830
    @jinkstacks4830 Před 3 lety +6619

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

    • @ashe_xox
      @ashe_xox Před 3 lety +68

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

    • @charlesg7926
      @charlesg7926 Před 2 lety +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 Před 2 lety +122

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

    • @dickurkel6910
      @dickurkel6910 Před 2 lety +80

      @@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 Před 2 lety +3

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

  • @chelseafaulkner3642
    @chelseafaulkner3642 Před 2 lety +68

    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 Před rokem +227

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

  • @Gloatz
    @Gloatz Před 5 lety +4275

    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 Před 5 lety +31

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

    • @townley1017
      @townley1017 Před 5 lety +130

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

    • @justlikeyouful
      @justlikeyouful Před 5 lety +45

      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 Před 5 lety +2

      @Holophonic I agree with you.

    • @truthhurts88
      @truthhurts88 Před 5 lety +13

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

  • @Roachehh
    @Roachehh Před 2 lety +54

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

  • @alanmckenzie3228
    @alanmckenzie3228 Před 2 lety +406

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

    • @bernard4459
      @bernard4459 Před 2 lety +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 Před 2 lety +8

      And none of it actually matters lol

    • @TwinkleDobson
      @TwinkleDobson Před 2 lety +12

      @@bernard4459 wtf lol

    • @nawaal4452
      @nawaal4452 Před 2 lety

      Wtf bernard 😂

    • @abhisheksharma1779
      @abhisheksharma1779 Před 2 lety

      @@bernard4459 what?

  • @UCs6ktlulE5BEeb3vBBOu6DQ
    @UCs6ktlulE5BEeb3vBBOu6DQ Před 5 lety +4713

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

    • @mohamadkhalid1808
      @mohamadkhalid1808 Před 4 lety +36

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

    • @8sigreg
      @8sigreg Před 4 lety +67

      I accidentally ate my chalk pouch while watching the video.

    • @vedikasahu4833
      @vedikasahu4833 Před 4 lety

      How?

    • @vedikasahu4833
      @vedikasahu4833 Před 4 lety

      @@8sigreg How ?

    • @shammyshakes6478
      @shammyshakes6478 Před 4 lety +17

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

  • @edwardrawn8157
    @edwardrawn8157 Před 4 lety +4310

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

    • @Jamie-Russell-CME
      @Jamie-Russell-CME Před 4 lety +69

      Sponsors pay bills

    • @PopularTower
      @PopularTower Před 4 lety +4

      lol

    • @johnathant6735
      @johnathant6735 Před 4 lety +3

      Edward Rawn Probably sweats a lot. I get it

    • @BarginsGalore
      @BarginsGalore Před 4 lety +4

      Johnathan T not the best quality in a rock climber

    • @deathpixelgaming
      @deathpixelgaming Před 3 lety +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)

  • @Manuelino1979
    @Manuelino1979 Před 2 lety +226

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

    • @BobbyGeneric145
      @BobbyGeneric145 Před 2 lety +4

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

  • @DK-pn8bd
    @DK-pn8bd Před 5 měsíci +24

    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.

  • @bossatron3544
    @bossatron3544 Před 3 lety +3420

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

    • @bossatron3544
      @bossatron3544 Před 3 lety +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 Před 3 lety +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 Před 3 lety +36

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

    • @EGarrett01
      @EGarrett01 Před 3 lety +5

      @@Kraken9911 His dad had Aspergers.

    • @CrazyStranger11
      @CrazyStranger11 Před 3 lety +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.

  • @jeffbanks9955
    @jeffbanks9955 Před 4 lety +5358

    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 Před 4 lety +34

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

    • @grebe2332
      @grebe2332 Před 4 lety +235

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

    • @Almenhorst
      @Almenhorst Před 4 lety +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 Před 4 lety +190

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

    • @Almenhorst
      @Almenhorst Před 4 lety +5

      @@grebe2332 good!

  • @user-wq7ki8lh4n
    @user-wq7ki8lh4n Před 2 lety +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 Před 3 měsíci +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.

  • @jonathanbyrdmusic
    @jonathanbyrdmusic Před rokem +34

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

  • @JV-df9em
    @JV-df9em Před 3 lety +2580

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

    • @Thomas-fk3cw
      @Thomas-fk3cw Před 3 lety +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 Před 2 lety +74

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

    • @charliechan578
      @charliechan578 Před 2 lety +2

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

    • @garbour456
      @garbour456 Před rokem +43

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

    • @jayh5840
      @jayh5840 Před rokem +33

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

  • @ankyfire
    @ankyfire Před 4 lety +2715

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

    • @paulmitchell5349
      @paulmitchell5349 Před 4 lety +49

      Most weddings are scarier.

    • @thebranclan4826
      @thebranclan4826 Před 4 lety +10

      paul mitchell not when the average person remarries 3 times😂

    • @xxxy0l0xxxxyt4
      @xxxy0l0xxxxyt4 Před 4 lety

      You HAD 333 likes 😐

    • @nimmuraj
      @nimmuraj Před 4 lety +1

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

    • @zmei24
      @zmei24 Před 3 lety

      😂😂😂

  • @monugupta32
    @monugupta32 Před 2 lety +17

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

  • @ptrainingbytim
    @ptrainingbytim Před rokem +23

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

  • @mewyattt
    @mewyattt Před 5 lety +2668

    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 Před 5 lety +24

      Without cleaning out your guts - bravo ;-)

    • @danazonart
      @danazonart Před 5 lety +12

      Funniest comment yet...

    • @MiTmite9
      @MiTmite9 Před 5 lety +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 Před 5 lety +3

      bravo

    • @Gweidemann
      @Gweidemann Před 5 lety +4

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

  • @rossturpin4696
    @rossturpin4696 Před 3 lety +5418

    This dude doesn’t struggle to open jars.

    • @matthewchavez5322
      @matthewchavez5322 Před 3 lety +210

      The jar struggles to muster the courage to open.

    • @jedediahcleveland3472
      @jedediahcleveland3472 Před 3 lety +243

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

    • @reeceharker2675
      @reeceharker2675 Před 3 lety +62

      jars pop open when he looks at them

    • @ruppellsbooden8917
      @ruppellsbooden8917 Před 3 lety +3

      Hahah mad call

    • @EidosTrantorianum
      @EidosTrantorianum Před 2 lety +25

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

  • @kitrichardson2165
    @kitrichardson2165 Před rokem +5

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

  • @Hibachi_Dru
    @Hibachi_Dru Před 3 měsíci +8

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

  • @Cobrashadows
    @Cobrashadows Před 4 lety +1890

    I need chalk just to listen to this.

    • @chapo4473
      @chapo4473 Před 3 lety +4

      🤣🤣🤣🤣😭

    • @travis8106
      @travis8106 Před 3 lety +28

      I feel that, my hands are sweating so much

    • @Oddie99000
      @Oddie99000 Před 3 lety +10

      My hands do be sweating rn

    • @marley6369
      @marley6369 Před 3 lety

      lol

    • @paysonfox88
      @paysonfox88 Před 3 lety +2

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

  • @JakeLovesCoffee
    @JakeLovesCoffee Před 3 lety +2925

    El Capitan has those “fake fall” dreams about Alex

  • @whiteangel127
    @whiteangel127 Před rokem +6

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

  • @carpathianwolf05
    @carpathianwolf05 Před rokem +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 Před 3 lety +921

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

  • @borisburgess5428
    @borisburgess5428 Před 5 lety +2297

    He then trips down the stairs as he walks off stage

    • @TheBigGianTz
      @TheBigGianTz Před 4 lety +67

      Its always easier gettin up lol

    • @ponderatulify
      @ponderatulify Před 4 lety +19

      how is this not the top comment ?

    • @andresbarriga5305
      @andresbarriga5305 Před 4 lety +16

      Brakes his neck.

    • @beninglis5259
      @beninglis5259 Před 4 lety +14

      And dies

    • @danepotmo2513
      @danepotmo2513 Před 4 lety +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.

  • @homosapienfactory6291
    @homosapienfactory6291 Před 3 lety +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 Před rokem +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.

  • @AniPo42
    @AniPo42 Před rokem +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).

  • @theknowlodge8294
    @theknowlodge8294 Před 3 lety +4264

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

    • @fernendo4
      @fernendo4 Před 3 lety +49

      I totally agree.

    • @unclewilbur8976
      @unclewilbur8976 Před 3 lety +38

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

    • @AnyoneCanSee
      @AnyoneCanSee Před 3 lety +14

      @@unclewilbur8976 - He also has superhuman hands.

    • @julienwood577
      @julienwood577 Před 3 lety +70

      The fact he did it in 3.5 hours is insane

    • @dktlls97
      @dktlls97 Před 3 lety +14

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

  • @caioaugusto2282
    @caioaugusto2282 Před 5 lety +2388

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

    • @beerthug
      @beerthug Před 4 lety +11

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

    • @krimo5700
      @krimo5700 Před 4 lety +1

      This is not applicable 100% though..

    • @Lak3baby
      @Lak3baby Před 4 lety

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

    • @Rahul-uk4su
      @Rahul-uk4su Před 4 lety +4

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

    • @oswal1853
      @oswal1853 Před 4 lety

      True
      Respect🦅

  • @chrisbach2750
    @chrisbach2750 Před rokem +2

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

  • @LivingProofFilmz
    @LivingProofFilmz Před 2 lety +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.

  • @byoobyoo1280
    @byoobyoo1280 Před 4 lety +1267

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

  • @MrBigburke22
    @MrBigburke22 Před 4 lety +935

    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 Před 4 lety +135

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

    • @user-lk1ky1hx5r
      @user-lk1ky1hx5r Před 3 lety +8

      @@staple_gun6367 lmao

    • @rubenvelazquezjr6756
      @rubenvelazquezjr6756 Před 3 lety +3

      @@staple_gun6367 😂

    • @kingsed91
      @kingsed91 Před 3 lety +2

      And shout at him so he gets disturbed and falls

    • @vagabondultimate
      @vagabondultimate Před 3 lety +5

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

  • @danjw2604
    @danjw2604 Před 2 lety +3

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

  • @joshuapatrick682
    @joshuapatrick682 Před 2 lety +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!

  • @jasonwong7140
    @jasonwong7140 Před 5 lety +4101

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

    • @doctordilanka
      @doctordilanka Před 5 lety +58

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

    • @oliveryoung7785
      @oliveryoung7785 Před 5 lety +168

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

    • @alexc7857
      @alexc7857 Před 5 lety +17

      @@oliveryoung7785 best comment ever ,😂😂

    • @danslik1738
      @danslik1738 Před 5 lety

      Lolololxp

    • @nera9526
      @nera9526 Před 5 lety +24

      Legend says Thanos fears when Alex snaps his fingers

  • @markkudlachjr4557
    @markkudlachjr4557 Před 5 lety +295

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

  • @theoutsider6191
    @theoutsider6191 Před rokem +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.

  • @TheSekCXpert
    @TheSekCXpert Před 2 lety +2

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

  • @inmyopinion651
    @inmyopinion651 Před 5 lety +2199

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

    • @IKEImusic
      @IKEImusic Před 4 lety +3

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

    • @dejffjed
      @dejffjed Před 4 lety +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 Před 4 lety +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 Před 4 lety +3

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

    • @tickyul
      @tickyul Před 4 lety

      Democrats Only Never seen anything like it.

  • @thehandleiwantedwasntavailable

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

    • @davidxiao64
      @davidxiao64 Před 5 lety +79

      “Please keep it that way” 😳👌

    • @edmondtondu3042
      @edmondtondu3042 Před 5 lety

      Autoexpert.com.AU

    • @jaytrock3217
      @jaytrock3217 Před 5 lety +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 Před 5 lety +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 Před 5 lety +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

  • @pandanarkystudios5198
    @pandanarkystudios5198 Před rokem +24

    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 Před rokem +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 Před rokem +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.

  • @smushie75
    @smushie75 Před 4 měsíci +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 Před 4 měsíci +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 Před 3 měsíci

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

  • @vmk5465
    @vmk5465 Před 4 lety +581

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

    • @imallergictobullets
      @imallergictobullets Před 3 lety +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 Před 3 lety +4

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

    • @kremesauce
      @kremesauce Před 3 lety

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

    • @user-on2ys9jr6t
      @user-on2ys9jr6t Před 3 lety +2

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

    • @MichaelMcAlexander
      @MichaelMcAlexander Před 3 lety +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.

  • @abesapien9930
    @abesapien9930 Před 5 lety +871

    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 Před 5 lety +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 Před 4 lety +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 Před 4 lety +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 Před 4 lety +5

      He was going to be an engineer originally

    • @damien9654
      @damien9654 Před 4 lety

      @@rosco4852 😄

  • @saint5203
    @saint5203 Před 2 lety +9

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

  • @carrickrichards2457
    @carrickrichards2457 Před rokem +2

    Thank you for sharing the process. Respect.

  • @Galactusz007
    @Galactusz007 Před 5 lety +2753

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

    • @hiddengame11
      @hiddengame11 Před 5 lety +247

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

    • @ConsentDeath
      @ConsentDeath Před 5 lety +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 Před 5 lety +11

      Mike Tyson podcast is mint.

    • @odari-1071
      @odari-1071 Před 5 lety +20

      andy dufrense u wouldn’t be dead lmao 😂😂

    • @sh0cktim3
      @sh0cktim3 Před 5 lety +22

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

  • @samknox1
    @samknox1 Před 4 lety +1721

    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 Před 4 lety +83

      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 Před 4 lety +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 Před 4 lety +10

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

    • @johnparnham3305
      @johnparnham3305 Před 4 lety +1

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

    • @subasurf
      @subasurf Před 4 lety +7

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

  • @felathar1985
    @felathar1985 Před 4 měsíci +1

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

  • @lindastephens1325
    @lindastephens1325 Před měsícem

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

  • @HeliosphanXtal
    @HeliosphanXtal Před 5 lety +1547

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

    • @GravityRestored
      @GravityRestored Před 5 lety +10

      HeliosphanXtal this is a good comment. I lold.

    • @ifeellikeyeezus8525
      @ifeellikeyeezus8525 Před 5 lety +1

      Corny

    • @warpviix
      @warpviix Před 5 lety +2

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

    • @zigzagnemesist5074
      @zigzagnemesist5074 Před 4 lety +2

      no he actually climbed it idiot, watch the video

    • @gordoncheuk474
      @gordoncheuk474 Před 4 lety +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

  • @jamesbentonticer4706
    @jamesbentonticer4706 Před 5 lety +4687

    This guy takes his life for granite.

    • @hommuside
      @hommuside Před 5 lety +324

      That pun fucking rocks!!! Haha

    • @nba_fan7214
      @nba_fan7214 Před 5 lety +490

      he's definitely boulder than the average person

    • @clanof1144
      @clanof1144 Před 5 lety +15

      How dare you

    • @ryanbraun4964
      @ryanbraun4964 Před 5 lety +238

      Chalk it up to expirience...

    • @Hugo-and-Persia
      @Hugo-and-Persia Před 5 lety +168

      He's definitely at the height of his sport!

  • @dermsUK
    @dermsUK Před 2 lety +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.

  • @jacobduperon472
    @jacobduperon472 Před 4 měsíci

    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.

  • @aidanw9378
    @aidanw9378 Před 3 lety +562

    "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.

  • @vipersqueal
    @vipersqueal Před 3 lety +757

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

    • @patheddles4004
      @patheddles4004 Před 3 lety +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 Před 2 lety +8

      @@patheddles4004 he is sponsored by them tho.

    • @extraslayar4585
      @extraslayar4585 Před 2 lety +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 Před 2 lety +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 Před 2 lety +24

      @@patheddles4004 sonny boi got owned

  • @musashidanmcgrath
    @musashidanmcgrath Před rokem +3

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

  • @dillon6280
    @dillon6280 Před 5 měsíci

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

  • @noahhunt8575
    @noahhunt8575 Před 4 lety +968

    Alex: “When you climb any mistake could cause death, it requires a different mindset...”
    Audience: *laughs*

    • @birthdayzrock1426
      @birthdayzrock1426 Před 4 lety +70

      They laughed because they knew they don't have that mindset

    • @philippeleclerc5341
      @philippeleclerc5341 Před 4 lety +51

      People seem to go to these talks expecting a series of funny remarks and jokes to laugh at. My feeling when I hear they giggle at a non existent joke in the middle of a serious explanation is that they don't care at all about what he's explaining. Maybe not a rude behaviour, but it shows lack of empathy and interest.

    • @ToXiiCxGUNNER
      @ToXiiCxGUNNER Před 4 lety +4

      Philippe Leclerc amen

    • @portokalisjunior
      @portokalisjunior Před 4 lety +110

      @@philippeleclerc5341 it's not rude at all. it's just actual, literal humour, especially since he didn't mean it to be funny. he basically used a tautology to explain something very specific and absolutely unimaginable for 99% of his audience. that's funny. that were giggles of awe, disbelief and respect for this man.

    • @samshorto5433
      @samshorto5433 Před 4 lety +74

      I think they're laughing because of what an understatement that is.

  • @sewhite11
    @sewhite11 Před 5 lety +827

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

  • @alexthrailkill
    @alexthrailkill Před 6 měsíci

    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 Před 2 lety +1

    This never ever ever fails to absolutely blow my mind

  • @alexanderchaker
    @alexanderchaker Před 5 lety +493

    Pressing the like button with sweaty hands is my achievement today

  • @noahn.9555
    @noahn.9555 Před 5 lety +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 Před 5 lety +74

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

    • @karlkarnu7641
      @karlkarnu7641 Před 5 lety +17

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

    • @thenewsone9276
      @thenewsone9276 Před 5 lety +46

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

    • @dlk449
      @dlk449 Před 5 lety +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 Před 5 lety +2

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

  • @ripharwood4138
    @ripharwood4138 Před 2 lety

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

  • @joonwolf6817
    @joonwolf6817 Před 2 lety +2

    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.

  • @Seed2Stem
    @Seed2Stem Před 5 lety +3181

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

    • @patrickkeeley3074
      @patrickkeeley3074 Před 5 lety +6

      Seed2Stem where can I watch it?

    • @digital_gravity
      @digital_gravity Před 5 lety +10

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

    • @w.harrison7277
      @w.harrison7277 Před 5 lety +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 Před 5 lety +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 Před 5 lety

      Patrick Keeley youtube

  • @jivarishi
    @jivarishi Před 5 lety +1994

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

    • @RafaelW8
      @RafaelW8 Před 5 lety +24

      Words to live by

    • @RADlX
      @RADlX Před 5 lety +42

      Words to climb by

    • @tedlemoine5587
      @tedlemoine5587 Před 5 lety +5

      That's the line thst caught my attention as well

    • @hardknockthuglife
      @hardknockthuglife Před 5 lety

      @@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 Před 5 lety +9

      Want*

  • @NolanSanchez
    @NolanSanchez Před 2 lety

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

  • @dianac2498
    @dianac2498 Před 2 lety +2

    He is really good at explaining overcoming fear.

  • @yeeehaa28
    @yeeehaa28 Před 5 lety +759

    A national treasure climbing a national treasure.

  • @maskedman
    @maskedman Před 5 lety +1302

    Finally a guy worthy for a Ted Talk.

    • @lamotta00
      @lamotta00 Před 5 lety +25

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

    • @buckrogers4820
      @buckrogers4820 Před 5 lety +3

      Paul stamets has an amazing talk

    • @Vendrix86
      @Vendrix86 Před 5 lety +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 Před 5 lety +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 Před 5 lety +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.

  • @boxbury
    @boxbury Před rokem +1

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

  • @gotemcoach2346
    @gotemcoach2346 Před 5 lety +1135

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

    • @-mv
      @-mv Před 5 lety +3

      2017?

    • @walcott423
      @walcott423 Před 5 lety +25

      Huge set of honnolds on that guy.

    • @gotemcoach2346
      @gotemcoach2346 Před 5 lety +2

      @@walcott423 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼👍🏼🍻🍺

    • @williamhernandez2531
      @williamhernandez2531 Před 4 lety +1

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

    • @fonzario
      @fonzario Před 4 lety +2

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

  • @billybones3277
    @billybones3277 Před 5 lety +1297

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

  • @4word2death
    @4word2death Před 3 lety +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 Před 3 lety +15

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

    • @Thomas-fk3cw
      @Thomas-fk3cw Před 3 lety +4

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

    • @1911miguel
      @1911miguel Před 2 lety

      i think he said he practice after that

    • @ewanjedlic9776
      @ewanjedlic9776 Před 2 lety +3

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

  • @LD-qj2te
    @LD-qj2te Před 8 měsíci +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

  • @shubhambaidya6126
    @shubhambaidya6126 Před 3 lety +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 Před 2 lety +7

      He was in the zone that day, for sure.

  • @rossturpin4696
    @rossturpin4696 Před 3 lety +563

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

    • @glu6567
      @glu6567 Před 3 lety +32

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

    • @TristanMundell
      @TristanMundell Před 2 lety +21

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

    • @erickcarreno2929
      @erickcarreno2929 Před 2 lety +17

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

    • @S0ulinth3machin3
      @S0ulinth3machin3 Před 2 lety +13

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

    • @HarimaKentaro
      @HarimaKentaro Před rokem +2

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