Oldest free solo climber. Longer video here: https://youtu.

Oldest free solo climber. No need for a partner. Other Work Alex co-presents the Climbing Gold podcast alongside Fitz Cahall. But as you go down the list and back in time, it gets less obvious whose star shone the brightest. , including Kryptonite at 5. Feb 15, 2013 · Alex Honnold One can’t mention free solo climbing without bringing up Alex Honnold; at just 27-years-old, the climbing prodigy has become the face of one of the most dangerous, physically demanding sports in the world. Most notably Alex was the first person to free solo a route on El Capitan in Yosemite with his ascent of Freerider in 2017. Taking on some of the most difficult grades in the world, these athletes are truly to be admired for their skill and sheer determination. Caldwell made the first free ascents of several major routes on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. Oct 14, 2024 · 'Free Solo' star Alex Honnold saw the effects of climate change in his climbing career. On the other Jul 12, 2023 · A Colorado woman died Sunday after falling 500 feet while free-solo climbing a ridge at Rocky Mountain National Park, authorities said. At the age of sixty-six, Dierdre Wolownick became the oldest woman to climb El Capitan, the iconic 3,200-foot "big wall" in Yosemite. At the top of the rock climbing mountain (both figurative and metaphorical), you’ve got names like Alex Honnold, who has transcended into mainstream consciousness through the film Free Solo. We ment Nov 15, 2023 · This is the exhilarating world of free solo climbing, where the stakes are as high as the peaks themselves. Any wrong move would cause a slip and send the 31 old climber to his death for sure. Check out some of the world's most legendary, frightening, and ground-breaking free solos of all time. (Mikey Schaefer Jul 12, 2023 · A 26-year-old died after falling during a free-solo climb from Blitzen Ridge in Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park, the park service said. Just the climber, a chalk bag, climbing shoes and the crag. Oct 10, 2024 · French climbers Seb Bouin and Alain Robert recently free-soloed a 600-foot-tall building in France. 13b), Yosemite Valley. 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. He is the only person who managed to free solo El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. Jul 11, 2023 · A 26-year-old woman plummeted 500 feet to her death while free-solo climbing inside a national park in Colorado Sunday, according to officials. Alex Honnold climbs to the top of El Capitan without ropes. And if you watched Honnold make that climb in the 2018 documentary Free Solo (highly recommended), you know that you witnessed one of the greatest feats in human history. Oct 15, 2018 · Alex Honnold, a prolific 32-year old free solo climber, prepares to make his way up the intimidating vertical slab without the help of any ropes, harnesses, or protective gear of any kind. He’s best known for his daring free solo climbs on the big walls of Yosemite and beyond. For the uninitiated, free soloing is a dangerous form of rock climbing where the climber ascends without protective gear or a rope. He also holds the record for climbing the Yosemite triple crown, an 18-hour, 50-minute link-up of Mount Watkins, The Nose, and the Regular Northwest Face of Half Dome. In this realm, a select few climbers have pushed the boundaries of what's possible, achieving ascents that leave us mere mortals in awe. Bouin is one of the world’s best sport climbers, with several 5. There are many climbers in the world who are better than Honnold as far as difficulty, with a rope, Adam Ondra is the dude everyone talks about, for good reason, he holds several records right now, he does free solo too but he's not like Honnold. Jul 5, 2024 · What is free soloing? Alex Honnold is the most famous name in free solo climbing (Image credit: JJ Kelly, National Geographic for Disney+) Free soloing is a style of climbing involving no rope and no protection. May 24, 2025 · 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. Alex 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. Several were chosen because they pushed the difficulty cap of the free solo grade; others because of the quantity and regularity of their soloing. 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. For technical rock climbing (like Free Solo) check out the best climbing documentaries. 4. 11a (6b+), [4] and was the first woman to summit all the peaks of the Fitzroy Range in Patagonia, the second woman to free climb El Capitan May 24, 2022 · Alex Honnold is the greatest free solo climber in the world. Honnold’s free solo achievements and big wall speed records have started to spread worldwide, and he became, without a doubt, one Feb 15, 2024 · Since the release of the Oscar-winning film, climber Alex Honnold has made first ascents in Antarctica, set the Nose speed record with Tommy Caldwell and helped his foundation grow. There are few more daring and death-defying feats in the world than free soloing - 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. I chose these climbers in this list based on their skill, prolificity, and overall contribution to the world of free soloing. Mar 12, 2015 · Today’s elite climbers focus on setting speed records — as Honnold and Allfrey were doing — and also on making the first free-climbing ascents of old aid-climbing routes. Mar 7, 2025 · Las Vegas resident Alex Honnold is perhaps the most famous rock climber in the world. She is one of the world's leading climbers, [1][2][3] having completed some of the hardest routes in the world. We’ll explore their jaw-dropping achievements and the legendary climbs that have earned them a place in rock climbing history. He pursues it Free Solo, which means climbing without a rope and alone. Their ascent was seen as part publicity stunt and part badass. 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. Climbing magazine caught up with Ourada in a phone call to find out more details about the accident and to learn how his recovery is going. Tommy Caldwell (born August 11, 1978) is an American rock climber who has set records in sport climbing, traditional climbing, and in big-wall climbing. 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. May 16, 2019 · Synnott talked about Preuss in providing a history of free soloing. Now, with the Plumber's Crack speed record, environmental activism and his podcast, Honnold's still shaping the future of the sport. Alex Honnold is one of the most accomplished solo climbers of all time. Stephanie " Steph " Davis (born November 4, 1973) is an American rock climber, BASE jumper, and wingsuit flyer. Feb 15, 2024 · Since the release of the Oscar-winning film, climber Alex Honnold has made first ascents in Antarctica, set the Nose speed record with Tommy Caldwell and helped his foundation grow. [2][3] At the Tommy Caldwell Lynn Hill Catherine Destivelle Sean McColl Nonaka Miho Fanny Gibert Alex Honnold It’s hard to talk about rock climbers without mentioning Alex Honnold. Now, Honnold just made history again with his latest feat. Marc-André Leclerc climbs alone, far from the limelight. This is a list of climbers and mountaineers who are notable for their activities in mountaineering (including alpine climbing), rock climbing (including aid climbing, free climbing, bouldering, speed climbing and competition climbing) or in ice climbing (including mixed climbing). [1] Free soloing is the most dangerous form of climbing, and, unlike bouldering, free soloists climb above safe Mar 1, 2018 · The World’s Greatest Free-Solo Climber Isn’t Interested in Adrenaline Alex Honnold completed the first-ever ascent of El Capitan without ropes or support, but he's just in it for the sport. [1] He made the first ascents of some of the hardest sport climbing routes in the U. Marc-André Leclerc (October 10, 1992 – March 5, 2018) was a Canadian rock climber, ice and mixed climber, and alpinist. Using just their hands and feet in some sticky-rubber Oct 3, 2018 · Exclusive: Alex Honnold Completes the Most Dangerous Free-Solo Ascent Ever The climber is the first person to reach the top of Yosemite’s 3,000-foot El Capitan wall without ropes. May 3, 2022 · The Salesforce Tower free solo climb wasn't the first time an urban daredevil free climbed a tall building in a death-defying stunt. Alex Honnold faces the biggest challenge of his career, climbing El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. 15 first ascents and repeats. And, of course, we’ve covered him extensively. He died after a 130-foot free solo fall. Smith is seems to be overlooked as a free soloist because he is generally accepted as an rock climber so early in the game. Jul 11, 2023 · On Sunday, July 9, a Boulder, Colorado, woman died after falling 500 feet while free soloing Blitzen Ridge, a classic 5. 13d Free Solo in the climbing history in 91 🌎 170 Skyscrapers | Burj | Khalifa | Dubai ⬇️ Explore my feats" Nov 24, 2022 · After all that we’ve found the best mountain climbing documentaries on Netflix, Amazon, and YouTube. -- Edit: With additional information it sounds like the couple were experienced climbers/outdoor enthusiasts. ” Alex Honnold free soloing Cosmic Debris (5. His life has become synonymous with adventure, risk, and an unmatched dedication to the craft of free solo climbing. 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. Alex was the first ti free solo climb which means to scale the mountain with no safety ropes. 14d and many other milestone climbs, was first to free solo the massive roof climb Separate Reality (5. Earlier that year, her son, Alex Honnold, stunned and terrified the world by climbing the same 1/2 mile vertical wall without ropes—a free solo assent. [5][6] Mar 1, 2022 · To date, Free Solo is considered among the best climbing films of all time. Feb 19, 2023 · Zach Milligan, a prolific free solo climber who lived in a cave at Yosemite National Park for 13 years and was one of the first to descend its globally-recognized Half Dome on skis was found dead . Nov 21, 2021 · Now the 70-year-old New York native is believed to have become the oldest woman to climb up the wall to the summit of El Capitan, known as “one of the world’s ultimate challenges for climbers In 2017, when Alex Honnold made his stunning free-solo ascent of Yosemite’s El Capitan, he was taking an unimaginable risk: nearly three thousand feet of climbing without any ropes or safety Apr 17, 2024 · Alex Honnold, best known for his unprecedented free solo climb of El Capitan, is a symbol of mental fortitude and physical mastery in rock climbing. With Alex Honnold, Tommy Caldwell, Jimmy Chin, Cheyne Lempe. The Best Mountain Climber Of The Century Was An Unknown Young Canadian Alex Honnold is without a doubt the best free climber in the world. While he initially studied civil engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, he later dropped out of university and started exploring Catherine Destivelle was born in Oran, in French Algeria, to French parents, Serge and Annie Destivelle. A pursuit that brings rock climbing down to its barest essentials. 4 ridge on Ypsilon Mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. Dec 20, 2024 · Martin Feistl, 27, was among the most talented and bold climbers of his generation. According to Alain, it was Seb Bouin who contacted him “six months ago, to climb solo a building not too difficult or of medium difficulty. Alex free solo climbed the 3,000-foot vertical wall, the first person in the world to do so. The star of Free Solo has accomplished incredible feats like Jan 19, 2024 · Alex Honnold Biography Alex Honnold is an American rock climber born on August 17, 1985, and known for his free solo ascents of big walls. 1M Followers, 888 Following, 2,808 Posts - Alain Robert | Legendary Free Solo Climber (@alainrobertofficial) on Instagram: "🕸 The French Spider Man 🏅 First two 5. Robert is one of the world’s most iconic free-soloists, on both rock and in urban areas – he’s been arrested over 150 times for Sep 16, 2024 · 62-year-old free solo climber combs his hair halfway up a cliff. Mar 19, 2019 · Free climbers are among the most technically impressive climbers on the planet. Oct 14, 2021 · Mom of legendary “Free Solo” climber, Alex Honnold, broke her own world record, becoming the oldest woman to climb the El Capitan rock face. He is known for his solo ascents–often in winter–of major ice and alpine climbing routes. Dierdre Wolownick previously set this record in 2017 at the age of 66, which she wrote about in her book The Sharp End of Life: A Mother’s Free Solo: Directed by Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi. The unidentified 26-year-old died while climbing on the Four Jul 12, 2023 · The 26-year-old Colorado woman who plunged to her death while free-solo climbing inside a national park was identified by grieving friends as an avid climber and “mountain person. Should we see Honnald’s climbing as reckless? A sophisticated dance with passive-aggressive self-harm? Or Jul 23, 2023 · Alex free soloing Freerider, Yosemite ©JimmyChin What Made Him Famous? He showed up in the Yosemite climbers scene from a young age but it was around 2007 when Honnold started getting worldwide recognition, primarily thanks to his astonishing free solo ascents. * It's been long overdue to feature another greatest free solo climbs video, so here it is. ” Jul 12, 2023 · A 26-year-old free-solo climber died over the weekend after a horrific 500-foot fall in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park, authorities said. Jan 27, 2024 · Who is Alex Honnold? Alex is a 38-year-old rock climber who rose to fame in 2018 after climbing the world's most famous rock face, El Capitan, without any ropes — a style of climbing known as free soloing. Aug 10, 2020 · Climbers and normies alike gripped their armrests watching Alex defy gravity and all common sense in the Free Solo documentary. His free soloing, a style where the climber uses no ropes or protective gear, showcases his exceptional confidence and ability to manage fear. Preuss on the other hand, was intentional, and wrote several essays on the about climbing ethics and the purity of free soloing. The historic event was documented for an upcoming National Geographic feature film and magazine story. 14d (9a) in 1999, and Flex Mar 22, 2024 · Honnold's free solo of El Cap didn't occur in a bubble. Also, the most famous rock Robert climbing the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong in 2008 Alain Robert (French pronunciation: [alɛ̃ ʁɔbɛʁ]; born Robert Alain Philippe; 7 August 1962) is a French rock climber and urban climber. Feb 1, 2022 · 60 peaks, 80,000 feet of vert, and 32 miles of solo climbing. Beyond his 2017 history-making ascent of El Cap, dramatically documented in the Oscar-winning film Free Solo, Alex is simply one of the hardest working, certainly most accomplished, and greatest climbers to ever live. In many ways, it’s the purest form of climbing. [2] She has free soloed up to 5. Free solo climbing (or free soloing) is a form of rock climbing where the climber (or free soloist) climbs solo (or alone) and 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). Mountain project lists that section as a 5. 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. When you think of free climbing, you probably think of a solo climber scaling a Sep 30, 2024 · The other, much less so: Seb Bouin is undoubtedly one of the world’s best climbers, author of the second potential 9c in climbing history (DNA at Le Verdon, France), but is not known for solo climbing. And when it comes to free solo climbing, there is no one like him. He began at a very young age and was the first one in Italy to climb free solo ascents. Aged just 31 years old, he has made a huge name for himself worldwide for scaling some of the world’s toughest faces without any safety equipment in record time. Mar 29, 2019 · Exclusive: This climber just pulled off the biggest free solo of the year (and he’s not Alex Honnold) The 25-year-old climber went up and down an iconic Patagonian peak with nothing more than Apr 3, 2019 · How free solo climbing and death contemplation has to do with getting older: Recent research indicated that older adults tend to recognize that they have fewer remaining years on earth and that situation created conditions for them to non-judgmentally focus more on the here and now (mindfulness). This drone shot captures his epic climb. Her father was an amateur climber and mountaineer. be/r Oct 22, 2018 · For most of the documentary, the filmmakers do an admirable job of scrutinizing Honnold's plan, which is why it's so jarring when they stop. In 2012 Oct 31, 2018 · Rock climber Alex Honnold completes a 3,000-foot rope-free climb of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park on June 3, 2017. But for real Leclerc was a badass, he and another guy went missing in 2018 in Alaska, super sad. During the 1960’s and 70’s, Bachar was one of the most well-known climbers in the world, renowned for his daring and challenging 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. Feb 21, 2024 · The Free Solo climber, 38, and wife Sanni McCandless have welcomed their second baby together, another daughter, a rep for the couple confirms exclusively to PEOPLE. The woman, who was climbing with a 27-year-old man Apr 29, 2021 · On April 11, 2021, 31-year-old climber Josh Ourada fell approximately 150 to 200 feet while free soloing Nutcracker, on the Manure Pile Buttress, Yosemite. With Marc-André Leclerc, Peter Mortimer, Alex Honnold, Jason Kruk. He scripted history in 2017, after becoming the first person to successfully complete a free solo climb of Yosemite National Park’s El Capitan. It has been my passion project for o Jul 11, 2023 · A 26-year-old Boulder woman died Sunday after she fell 500 feet during a free-solo climb on the Four Aces of Blitzen Ridge in Rocky Mountain National Park, park officials said. In 2016, he completed the first winter solo ascents of both Torre Egger in Patagonia and of the Emperor Face of Mount Robson in Canada. The achievement was documented by National Geographic Documentary Films. With no cameras and no margin for error, Leclerc's approach is the essence of solo adventure. Feb 20, 2024 · The 37-year-old has broken record after record in the climbing world and has been recognized as one of the world’s best at the sport. Lesser known — but just as impressive — is his mother. Master of Climbing // Free Solo 12 Hard Old School Routes in the Sandstonetowers of Germany. As a young teenager, her family moved to Paris, France, where she attended the Lycée Corot in Savigny-sur-Orge. This achievement was considered a 90-percent free solo climb. The granite monolith is about 3,000 feet (914 m) from base to summit along its tallest face and is a world-famous location for big wall climbing, including the disciplines of aid climbing, free climbing, and more recently for free solo climbing. Oct 31, 2023 · His legendary free solo of El Capitan changed climbing forever. I hope you enjoyed the film. May 26, 2023 · In this unique interview, Alain Robert talks about his roots in free solo rock climbing and his legacy in the era of social media Summary: Male and female out climbing, female fell and died. 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 Nov 24, 2024 · Alex Honnold is an American climbing legend and perhaps the most famous rock climber in history. Catherine was the eldest of six (four sisters Florence, Sophie, Martine, and Claire, and one brother Hyacinthe). Nov 2, 2021 · The mother of Alex Honnold, the record-breaking ‘Free Solo’ free climber, has made history for the second time as the oldest woman to climb El Capitan. Sep 4, 2020 · Alex Honnold climbing 3,000 foot up El Cap without a rope in “Free Solo” caught the world’s attention. Jan 18, 2024 · The Breakdown Alex Honnold, the GOAT, the champ, the master of free-soloing is the most recognizable figure in American rock climbing. Alex Honnold (born August 17, 1985) is an American rock climber best known for his free solo ascents of big walls. Nov 22, 2021 · How many climbers have free soloed El Capitan? A few dozen men have “free-climbed” El Capitan, but only three – Tommy Caldwell, Honnold and the late Brad Gobright – have gone up the route Harrington achieved, known as Golden Gate. May 9, 2024 · Known as one of the best female free solo climb ers and for her significant contributions to big wall climbing, Harrington has carved a niche for herself as one of the most daring and skilled climbers of her generation. ” Oct 23, 2017 · Check out some of the world's most legendary, frightening, and ground-breaking free solos of all time. He started the Honnold Foundation to invest in solar energy. My comment wasn't intended to downplay their Mar 18, 2025 · To watch Alex Honnold climb is to witness a man in harmony with nature’s most imposing formations. Jan 2, 2024 · Two Climbers Free Solo Iconic Parisian Skyscraper in Support of Ukraine 52 minutes to solo nearly 700 feet. Apr 10, 2022 · Alex Honnold is perhaps the most famous climber in the world. To get it out of the way first – we’re referring to mountain climbing documentaries. James Lucas dives into the story (and backstory) of Honnold's path to Freerider. Longer video here: https://youtu. I'm guessing the couple treated it like an exposed hike, rather than what immediately springs to mind when I hear "Free solo" climbing. 12), 600 feet above the valley floor, Yosemite, in 1986. The free-spirited 23-year-old makes some of the boldest solo ascents in history. No safety ropes, no shoes, leather pants. Wolfgang Güllich (Germany), author of the world’s first 5. It took Honnold only four hours to scale the huge mountain which is taller than the world’s tallest skyscraper. The historic free solo (no ropes, just your hands and feet) ascent of the 3,000 ft face of El Capitan in Yosemite was the hardest big wall climb ever done – and will probably stay that way. She took the fatal tumble off the park’s Nov 3, 2021 · Dierdre Wolownick, mother of world-famous climber and Free Solo star Alex Honnold, is believed to be the oldest woman to scale the Yosemite National Park rock formation. In 2018, he was killed in an avalanche on Want to know who the best climbers alive today are? Check out my list here! 10: John Bachar Known for his legendary free solo ascents that helped push climbing into the realm of mass popularity, John Bachar was a member of the infamous Stonemasters of Yosemite. The two climbers want to draw attention to the courage and bravery of the Ukrainian people. American rock climber Alex Honnold has shot to international fame with his free solo climbs of big walls. Feb 22, 2022 · Making a list of the most famous rock climbers of all time starts out easy. He’s definitely the biggest climbing star of any time period and is known for his spectacular free solo climbs, however Honnold estimates that only around 5% of his ascents The Alpinist: Directed by Peter Mortimer, Nick Rosen. Oct 2, 2024 · France's climbing phenom joined with his country's free solo icon for a jaunt up Paris' Total Tower. So, in short, free soloing is an extremely dangerous sport, one that has led to the untimely deaths of many experienced climbers. He was the first and only person to ever climb the face of El Capitan in Yosemite without ropes. Free solo climber Matt Bush hangs from a cliff edge in Cape Town, South Africa. Jul 11, 2023 · A 26-year-old woman from Boulder, Colorado, died after falling approximately 500 feet while free-solo climbing a ridge in the state’s Rocky Mountain National Park on Sunday, the park said. Oct 9, 2013 · The 28-year-old professional climber was made famous by his his free solo climbs of big walls as well as his speed record of the Yosemite Triple Crown, which took him 19 hours and 50 minutes to climb Mount Watkins, The Nose, and the northwest face of Half Dome. Nicknamed "the French Spider-Man " or "the Human Spider", Robert carries out free solo climbs of skyscrapers using no climbing equipment except for a small bag of chalk and a pair of climbing Free solo climbing (climbing without ropes or any other safety equipment) has struck awe in onlookers around the world, with climbers like Alex Honnold daring to scale insane heights. *Do not attempt any of the activities shown in this video. His ascents throughout North America and the rest of the world have pushed the soloing standard to new heights. S. Manolo - Solo Free Climber Pioneer Manolo – Free Solo climbing pioneer Maurizio Zanolla, known as Manolo is one of the pioneers of free climbing and very famous in Italy for his exploits. ssyscvi akovrm tsagl zzj doaioe kiryd gwj ynzmonsp owkt eqkrttx