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The ascent of Alex Honnold

January 1, 2012 4:33 PM

Mountain climber Alex Honnold seems to defy gravity by scaling sheer, steep rock faces with no rope and apparently no fear. Lara Logan reports.

The ascent of Alex Honnold

60 Minutes OverTimeFilming mountain climber Alex Honnold

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by vanleft January 15, 2012 7:28 PM EST
Dear 60Mins: Why didn't you ask him why he does it, and why didn't you interview his mother?
Thx! van
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by jamcrack January 8, 2012 3:02 AM EST
Some things the piece did not include that may be of interest...

* A few years ago a famous free solo climber by the name of Derek Hersey died on Sentinel. A route called the Steck-Salathe which is right of the Chouinard-Herbert route Alex climbed.

* John Bachar, also a famous free soloist died in a fall on July 5, 2009 near Mammoth Lakes, California.

* As a climb, Chouinard-Herbert is very respectable. The hardest move is the one shown in the thumbnail I think - it's small). It is the move in which he reaches above the roof and sticks his fingers in the piton scar on the left of the bulge and his right hand on a little edge on to top of the bulge then lifting over and sticking a foot above the roof. The rest of the climb is pretty solid...with a rope!

* More amazing is that he free soloed the North West of Half Dome. Much much harder. And the Phoenix...overhanging crack at its hardest best.

Alex is amazing. And to think that he might be climbing well within his comfort zone just as we might feel hiking up a steep trail that you don't want to slip on.

You just have to hand it to those who are willing and able to push the limits. Sportsmen that show us how far we can push ourselves. Astronauts willing to sit in an ignited rocket. Scientist with single minded focus to solve the most complex problems. Entrepreneurs willing to risk it all for an idea. Soldiers willing to go into harms way.
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by MotocrossSurvivor January 4, 2012 10:44 AM EST
Man this was tough to watch!!!! I knew he wasn't going to fall and I could hardly stand it. I've climbed some walls that, ahem, my wife thought was dangerous, but this guy is in the ionosphere. Incredible, but maybe he should retire from this while he still can.
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by jc1844 January 3, 2012 1:16 PM EST
Some very important questions 60 minutes should have asked (and didn't) ...What happens when you get a cramp? Have you ever slipped or had a close call? What was the hardest climb? 60 Minutes gave us an interesting snippet but could have dug deeper. Obviously Alex is living on barrowed time if you're a betting person.
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by aceteleman January 3, 2012 1:34 AM EST
I was certainly hoping that CBS would at least change the commercials for the new year. One of the reasons that I rarely watch CBS videos, I'm sick of the same Pfizer commercil over and over....
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by csteinmetz January 3, 2012 1:32 AM EST
Liberal Media Bubblehead
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by sonostrap January 2, 2012 5:45 PM EST
Regarding Eric Cantor, all this piece did was reinforce that the simple fact that this db*g has constantly put himself FIRST before party and country. This guy should be run out of Washington plain and simple and people talk about him being the next Speaker, heavens forbid. For all you teabaggers out there: You know who's worse that President Obama? Eric Cantor is our worst politician, plain and simple.
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by LLPSYCH January 2, 2012 1:37 PM EST
The question to have asked Mr. Cantor was - How dare you display your government subsidized very comfortable lifestyle to a nation of people many of whom are suffering severely thanks to the "principled" economic policies you represent. To refresh your memory, the perks you receive as a government employee supposedly serving the interests of the American people include an excellent health care program for you and your family, pension benefits, office furnishings and generous space for your offices in Washington and in your home district, generous expense allowance. Step one in your deficit reduction program might be the elimination of all those government subsidies for congressmen and senators. Besides chipping away a bit at the deficit it would also set an example of self-sacrifice to the American public. I must admit you get A+ in propaganda 101 for your interview. That distinction is reminiscent of the accomplishments of Joseph Goebbels, the brilliant if perverted master propagandist for the Nazi regime. He too was known for the love of his family and children.
Were you absent from Hebrew School the day they taught about responsiblity to ones fellow man?
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by puffysnyder January 2, 2012 12:55 PM EST
We all have our passions. If not pursued we would feel that regret later in life. He has this incredible and unusual one which I only hope the best for his safety and longevity. I also share his adrenaline because I chose the method of getting up that high with such view through my career in aviation. There is nothing else comparable to the view from up there where the clouds are.............
God bless you! Alex. May the angels be with you each time you climb :-) Thank you for sharing!!
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by Johngetalife January 2, 2012 10:35 AM EST
Niether one of these posters have any concept of what it means to be alive! We all die,very few of us appreciate that life is about doing what you love and damn what society thinks is unconventional. My hat is off to you Alex! Good luck.
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