The ascent of Alex Honnold

Watch the Segment »

Web Extras

Long: Very. Nobody's ever soloed the north face of Sentinel before. Nobody's ever thought about doin' it before.

[Honnold, taking first step: I'm going climbing]

Long: So, he's on.

Logan: Look at that, he's, he's started.

Long: Now, he's off!

Long: Spectacular.

Logan: So you almost have to, like, just stop and remind yourself. I mean, he is up there with nothing.

Long: Yeah, no rope.

Logan: Nothing.

Long: Nothin'.

Long: Right when he pulls into that crack, that's like the point of no return. It becomes world class right there. And he's-- he's in it now.

Logan: I don't even like the sound of that, the point of no return.

Long: Well you don't-- you're not gonna reverse it. It's too hard. That's-- that's the-- that's the one thing you gotta understand on these things. Once it gets to this level, the only way off is up. You're not-- you're not going back down. It's just too difficult.

Honnold: I like to think that I know what I can and can't do.

Logan: Sometimes when other climbers hear what you've been doing they say it's unsustainable, which really is their code for, you know, you can't keep doing this and keep pushing yourself and-- and keep pushing the limits and-- and stay alive.

Honnold: I mean, cause it's all case by case, it's not like I'm just pushing and pushing and pushing until-- until something terrible happens, I mean. I don't know, I just, I don't look at it, like, without perspective. But maybe that's why it's dangerous for me. You know, maybe I'm, like, too close to it and I can't tell that I'm, like, speeding towards a cliff. But I don't think that I'll continue to do this forever. But I don't think that I'll stop because of all the risk, an all that, I think I'll stop because I'll just lose the love for it.

As he approached one of our fixed cameras, Alex grabbed a tiny piece of rock and pulled himself up, in this position, most of his weight is on just four fingers.

Long: Here's another one of the really difficult parts right here. You can see him-- like, the-- his fingertips are only goin' into the first digit. Like, the line on your hand.

Logan: Literally that's what he's clinging, with, his fingertips?

Long: Only-- only-- to there.

One thing every free-solo climber fears is water. It seeps out of cracks in the mountain and that's what he ran into, half way up Sentinel.

Long: Yeah, see how he's wiping his feet off like that? On his legs?

Logan: Yes.

30 Comments +

Add a Comment

See all 30 Comments


by Reasonnyc February 13, 2012 1:30 PM EST: It is hard to assess this heartstopping segment and its hero because it is so emotionally challenging, and difficult to fathom and appreciate Honnold's skills if you are not a climber. He does risk death, clearly, and the risk is greater than zero, and some mishap of mental, physical (eg weather or rock failure) or internal physiological performance is always possible, given that our bodies are not unvarying machines, let alone the weather etc.

But, given the non zero risk of an unfortunate outcome, is this crazy? Maybe not so crazy. The possibility of disaster is small, and the risk for Honnold may not be greater than crossing the street listening to an iPod. The rest is imagination, which may terrify us couch potatoes but doesn't trouble the highly experienced Honnold, and his level of control is total at all times.

I'd say he is really just showing the amazing edge of what can be done if you develop enough nerve, skill and control, at some small risk, just like skateboarders who high somersault five different turns at once do the same.

In other words, he is achieving his emotional Nirvana, educating and amazing us in the process, teaching us that things we thought inconceivably dangerous can be controlled, and all at a risk smaller than a plane accident.

Let's hope, though, that as his powers eventually decline with age he will have the sense to stop before the risk becomes too great.; Reply to this comment


by BrianleePainter January 25, 2012 11:04 AM EST: Thank you, Alex Honnold, for doing what you do and as a corollary, showing the world your great achievement that is free solo climbing. It is important to see greatness such as what you do. Inspiring.

Many people forget that a life lived isn't judged simply by longevity, but how it is lived. The content and quality of life is what matters most, what is important. You do have a life wish, and it is evident to me by what you do. I do hope you continue to free solo many more routes.

Don't think about the critics, for they are impotent.; Reply to this comment


by de4dr4bbit October 30, 2011 4:08 PM EDT: who cares if he ends up dying.he's living in a way 99 percent of people will never experience.dude is the best thing since peter croft.he's climbing at a level no one has climbed at before.he's the best at what he does on the entire planet.guy is a beast; Reply to this comment


by Jamey88 October 19, 2011 4:06 PM EDT: My hat is off to John Long for his stature as a climber, but he misses something important here as a climbing historian, and CBS deserves some blame for poor fact-checking in the editing process.

Commentator: "How difficult is this climb?"

JL: "Very. Nobody has ever soloed Sentinel before. Nobody has ever thought about doing it before."

Yet, the north face of Sentinel rock was the site of the tragic death of one of Yosemite free-soloing's great pioneers, Derek Hersey in May, 1993. Someone should correct the record here.

See LA Times article about Hersey's death: http://articles.latimes.com/1993-05-31/news/mn-41958_1_sentinel-rock

See a signature video of Derek climbing, and how he smiles, relaxed despite a dangerous surprise (50-sec mark): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3dTIePeRWc; Reply to this comment


by foo8259 October 3, 2011 4:52 PM EDT: It must feel amazing to climb at that high a level. I have rock climbed (including some solo routes), and been a spelunker most of my adult life, but I just couldn't bear to watch all of that segment on Sunday. Just too stressful at the time -- I was able to tape it, so I can watch all of it when I think I am ready. One thing he has going for him is he is very strong, and more importantly he's lightweight -- that guy is a human Gecko!; Reply to this comment

by islander511 October 3, 2011 4:09 PM EDT

Reading some of the comments below is a reminder that for some, things that they can't comprehend, that scare them, or don't fit into their personal frame of reference, can trigger an anger response. For others, they are simply awed by what they see -- and wonder how it can be. No judgement, no attacks, just accepting that what they are witnessing is mastery.

I am 54 years old. I started climbing when I was sixteen, and it has been a part of my life ever since. Many of you may not be able to understand how something like climbing rock and ice could be so compelling. Truth is, it's not something easily explained to non-climbers. Again, I think some of the comments below reflect that difficulty.

Climbers -- particularly of the hardcore variety -- are a distinct tribe, with our own culture and history. We have long since accepted that the mainstream media will never get a story about any significant aspect of our world "right," but in this instance, Lara Logan and crew nailed it. That she included one of our most distinguished members, John Long, to add commentary, was essential to the story. Congratulations for a job well done.

Finally, the physical aspect of the climbing Alex is recorded doing in this segment is impressive, but to put it in perspective, that is not what stuns us as climbers. There are literally thousands of climbers who can and have done routes of the grade represented in the shots we saw in the segment. But what is truly extraordinary, almost mind-numbingly so -- to climbers that are capable of climbs of that caliber and know first-hand just how thin the margin of adherence actually is -- is the absolute mind control that Alex exhibits. Think of it: a single thought, allowed to enter your conscious thinking at the wrong moment, may spell your doom. Alex never has those moments; his brain seems to turn off that switch, so that his body performs exactly as it is capable of doing. This is what happens for many experienced climbers when they climb a difficult route with a rope. They learn to shut off a noisy mind and let the body do what it is trained to do. That Alex can effortlessly go to that same "space" when climbing solo is remarkable and probably, in some cosmic way, connected to others who share a similar makeup. I imagine guys like Buzz and Neal, bouncing around on the lunar surface, were pretty cool customers too.

Reply to this comment


by SourceEnergy October 18, 2011 2:16 PM EDT: Very well written.
When you said "his brain seems to turn off that switch,"
Alex has the ability to bring calmness and stability of mind to the "present moment".

It's focus. Focus is a cornerstone of mindfulness.
It resembles a state from withdrawal from the world.

His characteristic energy is closed rather than open, absorbed rather than available.
What is missing is the energy of curiosity, openness, availability, and engagement with the full range of experiences by human beings.

Alex gives himself permission to allow this moment to exactly as it is, and allow himself to be exactly as he is.


by endrepubs October 3, 2011 3:52 PM EDT: This extremely dangerous endeavor will catch up to him if he keeps it up........unless he is the real Spiderman(TM); Reply to this comment


by borgetc October 3, 2011 3:15 PM EDT: I used to do my fair share of technical rock climbing and was living in Colorado when Derek Hersey died free climbing in Yosemite. That was back in the mid 90's. At the time, he was the best free soloist in the world right? (It was a freak storm that took him off a route he reportedly could climb in his sleep - an acuaintance of mine was with him on that trip.) Like others have said, none of the great ones stay alive very long. What bothers me about this story is not the free climbing. It's the fact that young and impressionable climbers are coming out of gyms all the time with little or no technical climbing experience. As others have said, there are innumberable variables that are NOT in the control of the climber no matter how good he is! I'm not sure I want my boys thinking this is the guy that they should be idolizing. I think 60 Minutes failed to show the history of the free climbers (dead) that have preceded him (Hersey, Osman etc.) and talked just about the same way this kid does. We are all invincible at some age - but we are all humans and subject to external forces beyond our control. If he wants to do it great - but don't paint him out like a unique "freak" or "exception." All the climbers pushing the limit were him at one time. I thought that Long's commentary was the best part of the show and his history with the sport should have been juxtaposed in the story.; Reply to this comment


by Danrald October 3, 2011 11:36 AM EDT: Great segment! I love it when you guys do a segment on some one that no one knows anything about, and who is also doing something great. It's sad that most of the comments made here are not in sync with what you guys were really reporting.; Reply to this comment


by oldman67 October 3, 2011 11:23 AM EDT: Since i have rock climbed in Colorado, New York State and New hampshire i have wittnessed a few accidents. Things happen such as a peice of rock flaking off or a peice not properly placed. he will continue to dowhat he loves best until that fatal moment. However, it is what he loves and his choice. If i had listened to some critics i would have never skydived, bungee jumped kayaked, whitewater rafted or backpacked across the Ozarks solo.I call his actions ,like most to be foolish but at the same time it takes courage to face death at any moment.Most of us would like to know what we would do in a dangerous situtation but are afraid to take the challange. I just wish i hadn't waited until i was 64 to start enjoying life.; Reply to this comment