“One of the Scariest Things I’ve Done”: Simple Bouldering Trip With Alex Honnold Turns Into Once in a Lifetime Free Solo Experience

The uncertainty of life is very hard to understand, as nobody knows what’s coming for them in the next moment. Professional climber Magnus Midtbø recently felt the real essence of the unpredictability of life. The star climber always keeps looking for new challenges in life and in sports. However, an incident that happened almost six months back would have surely surprised him in a completely new way. It all started when the climbing star met the GOAT of solo climbing, Alex Honnold.

Magnus Midtbø recently appeared for an interview with Steven Dimmitt for the famous YouTube channel Climbers Crag. 

Alex Honnold changed a basic bouldering session to a thrilling solo climb

The Norwegian rock climber recalled his meet collaboration with the free climbing legend Alex Honnold for his YouTube video. He gave insights into the sudden change of plans just a night before the shoot. Midtbø revealed both climbers agreed to hold a basic boulder session for the video. However, his plans saw a 360-degree turn when Honnold came up with an unexpected improvisation.

The Youtuber revealed he was supposed to reach Honnold’s hometown to shoot their bouldering sessions. On his way to Vegas, Midtbø received a call from Honnold asking whether he wanted to go for free solo climbing instead. The invitation shocked Midtbø as it was out of the blue and he had never done that in his life. “I was really hesitant at first but he assured me that it was very easy,” said the Norwegian climber.

Read More: “My Brain Is Different”: American Rock Climbing Legend Alex Honnold Once Found a Unique Way to Mitigate Risks in Free Soloing

Midtbø said that he accepted the offer and went free soloing with Honnold. However, he claimed it was one of the most dangerous things he ever did. “That’s definitely one of the scariest things I’ve done”, he admitted. He explained the problem was never with the physical demands of the climb. But he could not understand the point of putting his life in danger for a video.

Midtbø was skeptical of the Audience’s feedback

The 34-year-old star climber and YouTuber was afraid of the audience’s perception. He said, “I don’t know how it will be received either.” He agreed that what he did was against his own principles and approach. This added to the complexity of the situation he was in.

He called it a foolish act to put one’s life on the line for merely making a video. The biases of people against solo climbing added to his worrisome situation. He further clarified that he had always advised viewers to refrain from engaging in any such activities without supervision. 

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Steven Dimmitt, the host of the show, pacified Midtbø by telling that if one is making the video with an all-time solo climbing legend, they cannot expect to not be pushed by Honnold to try free solo climbing 360.

What is your take on Honnold encouraging and taking Midtbø to solo climbing? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!