Alex Honnold is known for his ability to climb big walls with no climbing gear or protection—otherwise known as free-solo rock climbing. Born and raised in Sacramento, California, Honnold grew to love the sport at age 11. Some of his impressive achievements in climbing history include the speed record of The Nose of El Capitan with Hans Florine on June 17, 2012, and the solo of Half Dome in 1 hour, 22 minutes, May 2012. In addition to rock climbing acheivements, Alex Honnold is the founder of the Honnold Foundation which “seeks simple, sustainable ways to improve lives world-wide”. Other notable rock climbing achievements: Free solo of Zion’s Moonlight Buttress on 1 April 2008Free solo of Astroman and Rostrum in Yosemite Valley in one day in September 2007, becoming the second person after Peter CroftFree-soloed the Grade V big-wall route El Sendero Luminoso (5.12d) in El Potrero Chico, MexicoThe complete traverse of the Fitz Roy massif in Patagonia. Completed over five days with Tommy Caldwell in February 2014 Bouldering: The Mandala: 8A+(V12). A repeat of Chris Sharma‘s classic boulder in Bishop, California
Alex Honnold's free solo of El Capitan did not occur in a bubble of solitude and inspiration. In this archive piece, originally published shortly after Honnold's ascent, James Lucas dives into the story (and backstory) of Honnold's path to Freerider.
Free soloing means climbing with no rope, a genre that verged into American consciousness in the 1970s. In 2018 it blew up, with Alex Honnold's mind-bending solo of El Capitan and the award-winning film that chronicled it. Let's take a look back.
"Marc-André deserves to be there at the Emmys with us"—though being in a city and a suit, and the center of attention, might be his worst nightmare. PLUS: the many climbing films to receive Emmy or Academy awards or nods over the years.
Honnold is famous for (among other things) cramming as much climbing as he can into each day. To do so, he's developed some efficiency tricks that the rest of us can imitate.
The Last Tepui, a Disney+ film, streams tomorrow on Earth Day.
What do you get when you give two inept teenagers two huge boxes of Snickers bars, drench them in protestant work ethic, and plop them down in a sport climbing crucible like Rifle, Colorado? (Hint: it’s a less successful formula than it sounds.)
And what does virtual reality technology mean for the future of climbing film?
“The Soloist VR” is a two-part series (available on Oculus TV) that chronicles Alex Honnold’s free soloing exploits in the Italian Dolomites and the French Alps in the summer of 2021.
The fearless American free soloist brought climbing into the limelight, and upped the risk ante so high it may never be surpassed.
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He said the sustained route is a candidate for one of the hardest in the country.
From Honnold to Carlos Carsolio, to Daniel Woods and Ashima Shiraishi.
Let's look back at the stories that resonated with readers in 2021.
850 Miles of hiking and biking for 15 free solos … What could possibly go wrong?
The two climbing greats teach important things about footwork, climbing holds, and how to avoid being a gumby.
Watch the short film ‘Queen Maud Land’ with your Outside+ membership
Check out Anthony Walsh's author page.
Check out Anthony Walsh's author page.
Follow as we spend a day with BD athlete Alex Honnold as he tries his latest "mini" project.
Oh, plus miles of approach and descent for Jordan Cannon and Scott Bennett, who also biked between the walls.
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Are you inspired by Alex Honnold? So is his mom, who is the oldest woman to scale El Capitan. Here she shares her thoughts on how essential a little inspiration can be.
Climbing meme pages are becoming extremely popular, with high engagement and growing follower counts.
Alex Honnold ascends 1,000 feet of sheer rock to the top of the tepui, a remote “island in the sky” deep in the Amazon jungle.
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Don't be afraid to try something new. Alex's mom climbed El Cap at age 66.
Is timidity keeping you from one of life’s most rewarding experiences?
"In terms of mental effort and physical effort, this is a way harder day than El Cap. That’s harder climbing, but I think overall with this link-up, it’s more vertical feet of climbing, probably more sustained climbing, and way more mileage."
Alex Honnold and Fitz Cahall unearth climbing's history and culture.
How to soak up the calm from your lead climber if your own confidence isn’t rock-solid
Watch a 27-minute conversation between two of the greatest living climbers.
The show will be co-hosted by legendary climber Alex Honnold and legendary outdoor podcaster Fitz Cahall.
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The Inside Story of Tommy Caldwell, Alex Honnold, and Kevin Jorgeson’s New El Cap VI 5.13d
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Despite bad weather (even by Patagonian standards), Honnold and Haley still completed big objectives
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Check out Rex Dangerman, Sports and Fitness Editor, New York Extreme Men’s Fitness Magazine's author page.
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Are big-wall speed climbers pushing too far?
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Notable previous Nose record holders lend perspective to Honnold’s and Caldwell’s sub-two-hour ascent
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Organizers say it’s more important than ever to speak up for protecting the nation’s climbing resources.
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The human side of the superhuman climber who free soloed El Capitan
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Dierdre Wolownick embraces retirement from 3,000 feet up
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Flash—Our monthly climbing photo gallery
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Check out Julie Ellison's author page.
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Check out Johanna Flashman's author page.
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