“It Is Very Scary”: Days Before Oscars Success, Rock Climbing Legend Alex Honnold Spilled Secrets of His Historic Ascent in 2019

Nat Geo’s ‘Free Solo’ received the Academy Award for the best documentary feature in 2019. The movie unraveled the dangers of the much sought after sport of rock climbing. Alex Honnold played the most crucial role in binding the audience to the storyline and build-up. Alex Honnold made rock climbing look like a cakewalk, keeping his calm during 3000 feet journey. However, the storm of emotions that was going on inside the icon was totally different from what the audience watched on the screen

In 2019, just a few days before the Academy Awards’ result the champion climber sat for an interview with Sports Illustrated. He explained the emotions he went through during the epic climb to El Capitan. The veteran climber gave insights into his experience of being a part of the historic ascent. 

Alex Honnold explained the emotions he went through

When asked about what he was feeling while climbing the tough summit of Yosemite, he mentions being quite afraid during the process.  “Sometimes, fear,” he said while explaining the emotional storm he went through. He further added that he had to engage in intense practice sessions to avoid any mistakes. 

The legendary climber admitted to having terrifying experiences in the past. “I mean, sometimes terror. That’s why you see so much preparation throughout the film—I’ve had many other free soloing experiences that weren’t quite as positive. Sometimes I get up there and it is very scary. El Cap is such a big challenge that I had to put in the preparation so that I wouldn’t have a terrifying experience.”

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The fact that this wasn’t Honnold’s first rodeo in terms of conquering treacherous heights, only contributed to the experience in the documentary. What more, you ask? Take a look at his impeccable record. 

Honnold’s iconic performances

Alex Honnold has a long list of some of the iconic performances that made the audience jump out of their seats. He has had a long history with death-defying climbs without any artificial support that shook the world. His 3000 feet climb to El Capitan grabbed global attention but there are other just as miraculous climbs in his arsenal. 

The climbing legend has completed the ascent of the Moonlight Buttress, a 1,200-foot climb in Zion National Park. He is also the first ever climber to cover the Fitz Roy Traverse on the Argentina-Chile border. In 2014, Honnold became the first-ever free solo climber to ascent the University Wall on Stawamus Chief Mountain. The wall is popularly known by the name “The Chief.”  Two years back Honnold pulled off a miraculous “triple” climb at Yosemite by climbing 7,000 total vertical feet across the hills of Mount Watkins, El Capitan, and Half Dome. 

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Don’t you wish there was an Academy Award for Rock Climbing?