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Table of Contents On june 3, 2017, alex Honnold completed the first free solo ascent of El Capitan, a 3,000-foot vertical rock formation in Yosemite National Park. This feat, climbing without ropes, harnesses, or any protective equipment, stunned the climbing world and garnered international attention. Free soloing is a form of rock climbing where the climber ascends without any ropes, harnesses, or other protective equipment. A fall at any point woudl likely be fatal. El Capitan, located in Yosemite Valley, is considered one of the most challenging climbs in the world, attracting experienced climbers for decades. The first ascent of El Capitan was completed in 1958 by Warren Harding, Wayne Merry, and George Werner, taking 45 days. Honnold spent over a year meticulously planning and preparing for the ascent. This included memorizing the route, practicing individual moves repeatedly, and developing a mental strategy to manage fear and maintain focus. he reportedly visualized the climb hundreds of times. He climbed the route wiht ropes multiple times before attempting the free solo. Honnold began his ascent at approximately 5:30 AM PDT on June 3, 2017, and completed it in 3 hours and 56 minutes. He climbed the “Freerider” route,a popular but technically demanding path up El Capitan. The ascent was documented by a film crew, and footage was later released in the 2018 documentary Free Solo, which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2019. The climbing community reacted with a mixture of awe and disbelief. Many experienced climbers acknowledged the unprecedented risk and skill involved. Renowned climber Tommy Caldwell called it “one of the greatest feats of athleticism, possibly in history.” The achievement pushed the boundaries of what was considered possible in the sport and brought free soloing to a wider audience. Source: NPR - Alex Honnold Scales El Capitan Without Ropes, And The Climbing World ReelsBackground on Free Soloing and El Capitan
Honnold’s Planning and ascent
The Climb Itself
Reaction and Meaning
