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To other people not getting what free solo is, it means climbing a cliff without ropes.



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I think you missed the point. Alex Honnold didn't woke up one day morning and decided to climb El Cap in the afternoon. He has been preparing for the climb for almost 7 years. He memorized each and every step he would make during the climb. He even abandoned his first solo attempt because the conditions didn't seem to be right. It was never a do or die situation. He wore the same set of clothes throughout the practice sessions and the climb. Everything was done to minimize the risk. For me Alex Honnold's solo is an example of what a Human can achieve with the right amount of practice and preparation.


I mean, it’s amazing, don’t get me wrong. I just feel like doing it served no purpose and needlessly put him at risk.

To be honest, I thought this was a guy with a wife and children (there was a story earlier about him doing a free solo), since he’s single I guess his life is his own.


Probably this might help you understand why Alex does this.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14503404


It’s dumb as rocks, agreed.

But it’s the massive prep they do and skills they have that make it genius




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