One of the biggest stories in outdoor adventure this year is definitely Alex Honnold's free solo of El Capitan in Yosemite this past summer. In this video, we hear Alex talk about this historic feat and his inspiration for climbing, with a set of animated clips helping to convey the story. The entire video is charming and fun, while we listen to one of the greatest climbers of all time talk about one of the greatest climbs of all time. It is definitely worth the three minute time commitment, and by the end you'll probably be wanting more.
Showing posts with label Yosemite. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yosemite. Show all posts
Video: 13-Minutes of Footage From the New Speed Record on the Nose
Back in October, rock climbers Brad Gobright and Jim Reynolds set a new speed record on The Nose in Yosemite, zipping up the most iconic climb in the world in a blistering 2 hours, 19 minutes, and 44 seconds. That's 4 minutes faster than the previous record held by Hans Florine and Alex Honnold. In this video clip we get a look at the two men on the wall, as they're making their way up. This isn't some stylized, highly produced climbing documentary, but is instead raw footage captured on their way to the record. That makes it all the better.
Climbers Set New Speed Record on The Nose in Yosemite
The duo used a mix of both free climbing and aid climbing to make the ascent, preferring to go without safety equipment on the easier pitches, but employing it where they felt its was most needed. The climb took place on Saturday, with Gobright and Reynolds overcoming the 31 pitches in the fastest time yet.
About a decade or so ago there were a number of attempts to set new speed records on The Nose, with the mark being lowered four times in 2007 and 2008 alone. Honnold and Florine set their record back in 2012 however, taking nearly 13 minutes off the previous fastest time. That is where the bar has stayed until this past weekend, when Gobright and Reynolds were able to take it even lower still. Whether or not anyone will step up to challenge their pace in the near future remains to be seen.
You can read more about the climb and new record at Climbing.com. And while you're at it, check out the awesome video from the ascent too.
Video: Raw Footage of the Aftermath of the Yosemite Rockslide
Last week we shared the news of massive rockslides in Yosemite National Park, which have injured multiple climbers and left one person dead. Those slides continued into the weekend, with several more incidences occurring. Just how serious are these collapses on El Capitan? Check out the video below to get an idea. As you'll see, the dust storm created in the valley is quite massive, and the climbers who took the footage are rightfully shaken by what they are witnessing. Scary and wild stuff. Let's hope no one else is injured as this activity continues.
Giant Rockslides in Yosemite Claim One Life, Change the Landscape in the Valley
On Wednesday, Andrew Foster of Wales was hiking with his wife Lucy in the national park when the first of the two slides occurred. The couple were believed to have been scouting possible climbing routes on El Cap when part of the granite rock face collapsed, pinning foster underneath and killing him on the scene. Lucy was seriously injured and had to be airlifted to a nearby hospital where she remains in critical condition.
Park rangers said that Wednesday's activities actually included seven smaller rockslides that occurred over a brief period of time. While these types of events aren't uncommon, they are rarely this large or frequent. They almost never claim the life of a climber or hiker either. Records indicate that at least 30 climbers were on El Cap when the accident occurred. That slide saw a slab of rock about 130 feet (40 meters) tall and 65 feet (20 meters) wide go plummeting down the face.
The second rockslide occurred yesterday, raining even more rock, dust, and debris down on the valley below. It occurred in essentially the same place, but was even larger than the first fall. Another person was injured in this incident and was also taken to the hospital to treat their injuries.
Geologists believe that the rockslides were probably caused by expansions and contractions caused by warm weather and followed by cooling off in the evening. There doesn't seem to be anything unnatural happening in the park, although the two days of accidents have left some unnerved. Climbers are urged to take extra caution when climbing on El Cap for now, and they should avoid the area where the slides have occurred.
Video: The First Footage of Alex Honnold's Free Solo of El Cap
While he was climbing El Cap sans ropes this past weekend, Alex Honnold was also being filmed for an upcoming documentary about his efforts. While that video is probably still a ways off from being released, National Geographic did release the first footage from the climb a short time ago. Below, you'll get a glimpse of what it was like for Alex on the wall with a dizzying look at far above the ground he truly was, all without any kind of safety device. Simply amazing.
Putting Alex Honnold's Free Climb of El Cap into Perspective
Since the announcement of Alex's accomplishment hit the newswires a number of climbers have stepped forward to offer their thoughts on what this means for the sport. Most view it as a monumental shift in what is believed to be possible, with some saying that it not only ranks amongst the best climbs ever done, but that it is actually amongst the most impressive achievements in any sport – ever.
One of the best article's I've read on this story comes our way courtesy of Tommy Caldwell who wrote about the climb for Outside magazine. The post, which can be found here, explains in no uncertain terms just how difficult this climb is and why the very thought of it is mind boggling, even to someone as accomplished as Caldwell. Tommy also happens to know Alex very well, and was climbing with him in Yosemite the day before he made his historic ascent. In a previous article, he referred to it as the "moon landing" of free climbing.
As if that wasn't enough, Alpinist magazine called Honnold's climb “indisputably the greatest free solo of all time,” which helps to put it further into perspective. Legendary climber Peter Croft described the feat as “... the obvious next step. But after this, I really don’t see what’s next. This is the big classic jump.” Gripped magazine went on to add that this was by far the most groundbreaking accomplishment of Alex's already incredibly career.
In short, we're looking at a major shift in climbing and it is nearly impossible to overstate just how big this is for the sport. Hopefully we won't see a major rash of other climbers looking to repeat Alex's success, as there are very few who could pull it off. Still, it is wildly impressive and he deserves all of the accolades that have come is way and are sure to follow in the days ahead.
Alex Honnold Climbs El Cap Without Ropes
Honnold launched his bid at 5:32 AM and completed the historic climb at 9:28 AM, which means his finished the tough, iconic ascent up El Cap in 3 hours, 56 minutes. For the length of the entire climb, he essentially used just a pair of climbing shoes and a chalk bag filled with chalk. There were no ropes or other safety devices involved, marking this the first true free solo of one of the most famous rock faces in the entire world.
To put this in perspective, Tommy Caldwell told National Geographic that this is the "moon landing" of free soloing, meaning it is truly ground-breaking and historical, taking the sport into new, uncharted territory. According to Nat Geo, only two other climbers have even mentioned attempting the climb themselves. They were Michael Reardon and Dean Potter, both of which have passed away in recent years. At the moment, Honnold seems to be the only climber in the world who could pull off such a big ascent.
You can read the entire story of this amazing feat on the Nat Geo website. It is quite a story that not only provides more details, but also profiles Alex and what sets him apart from the field. Right now, he's climbing on another level, and getting the entire scoop is inspiring to say the least.
Video: A Flood in Yosemite National Park
January has been a rough month for much of the American West. It has dumped untold inches of snow across many parts of the region, while areas of California have seen an incredible amount of rain. That includes Yosemite National Park, which as you'll see in this clip, has seen its streams and rivers swell, waterfalls overflow, and parts of the valley flood. California has been in a drought for sometime now, but this isn't necessarily the way you would want to see it come to and end. Still, the water as a whole is welcome sight to much of the state.
Miranda Oakley Sets New Female Speed Record on the Nose in Yosemite
A few days back, Oakley completed a solo summit of Yosemite's most iconic route in 21 hours and 50 minutes. That shaved more than 2.5 hours off the previous record, which was set by Chantel Astorga back in 2014. Astorga went up the nose in 24 hours, 39 minutes, which means Oakley is also the first woman to break the 24-hour mark as well.
The Nose has a long and storied history in climbing. It is considered one of the most famous routes in all of rock climbing, requiring equal parts skill, strength, and stamina to complete. Rated a 5.9 C2, the classic ascent is a 3000-foot monster that tests the dedication and determination of any climber. Oakley did it solo for the first time last year, completing her climb in a little under 27 hours.
For reference sake, the current speed record on The Nose for a two-person team is held by Hans Florine and Alex Honnold. That talented duo managed so complete the route in 2 hours, 23 minutes, and 46 seconds. The solo record for men is held by Tommy Caldwell, who topped out in just under 12 hours.
Congratulations to Miranda for an impressive display of skill and strength. Well done!
Actor Jared Leto Joins Alex Honnold on El Cap in Yosemite
Academy Award winning actor Jared Leto seems to have added yet another skill to his resume that already includes musician, songwriter, director and author. It seems the celeb is also an accomplished rock climber, as was evidenced last weekend when he went climbing in Yosemite with Alex Honnold.
On Friday Leto and Honnold scaled the East Buttress of Middle Cathedral, which is ranked amongst the 50 classic climbs of North America. Then on Saturday, the two men climbed three shorter, easier routes on the 600-foot Manure Pile Buttress, before moving onto the East Buttress of El Capitan on Sunday.
Later, Leto posted a photo of The Nose on El Cap – perhaps the most iconic climb in the world – hinting that he might like to try that at some point. Later, he shared the photo below on his Instagram account of he and Honnold. They're joined by Jimmy Chin, who dropped by for a photo bomb apparently.
On Friday Leto and Honnold scaled the East Buttress of Middle Cathedral, which is ranked amongst the 50 classic climbs of North America. Then on Saturday, the two men climbed three shorter, easier routes on the 600-foot Manure Pile Buttress, before moving onto the East Buttress of El Capitan on Sunday.
Later, Leto posted a photo of The Nose on El Cap – perhaps the most iconic climb in the world – hinting that he might like to try that at some point. Later, he shared the photo below on his Instagram account of he and Honnold. They're joined by Jimmy Chin, who dropped by for a photo bomb apparently.
Video: Emily Harrington Climbs El Capitan's Golden Gate Route
El Capitan is arguably the most iconic climbing wall in the entire world, drawing in the best rock climbers from across the globe. That includes Emily Harrington, who visited Yosemite National Park to attempt the difficult Golden Gate route, which features a rating of 5.13 VI. It took her six days to complete the 40 pitches, but eventually she conquered the route. You can follow her efforts in the video below, which gives us an amazing look at the rock face, and the spectacular valley below.
Video: The Constant Gardener - Climbing Cathedral Rock in Yosemite
Everyone knows that Yosemite National Park is one of the greatest rock climbing destinations in the entire world. But that sentiment is reinforced with this video, which follows climbers Cheyne Lempe and Ethan Pringle as they attempt an ascent of Cathedral Rock, one of many numerous challenges that can be found in the valley. This short film introduces us nicely to that climb, and provides some amazing shots of what it is like to climb in Yosemite. Due to its level of challenge, Cathedral is rarely climbed, but as you'll see it is a classic line.
The Constant Gardener from Mountain Hardwear on Vimeo.
Go Inside Alex Honnold's Custom Built Adventure Van
From the outside, the van looks like just about any other nondescript vehicle that you might pass on the highway. But inside, it is equipped with a stove, a large bed, and hidden storage compartments filled with climbing gear. A five-gallon jug of water and a small cooler round out the kitchen, with a hidden propane tank providing the fuel necessary to cook his meals.
Alex's van isn't without its luxuries. Two solar panels, courtesy of Goal Zero, are mounted on the top, feeding power to a Yeti 400 generator. This ensures that Honnold has enough electricity to recharge his various gadgets, including a cell phone and his laptop. Other than that, the climber appears to live a fairly spartan existence, not requiring much more than what is in the van to continue the lifestyle that he enjoys.
Living out of a van while climbing is part of the dirtbag tradition that stretches back for decades. It was most definitely a part of the Yosemite culture in the 60's and 70's. That's a climbing destination that Alex knows very well, although to the climbers that started that tradition five decades ago, Honnold's mobile living space would probably seem like a luxury palace.
Video: Alex Honnold Free Soloing Mt. Watkins in Yosemite
The title of this post says it all. Video footage of Alex Honnold free soloing Mt. Watkins in Yosemite. As usual, Alex is pushing the limits of climbing, taking on big walls with little, or no, safety gear. This clip will certainly get your heart rate going.
Video: Official Trailer for Valley Uprising - New Documentary on Climbing in Yosemite
The latest adventure documentary from Sender Films just might be their best yet. It's called Valley Uprising, and it is their long-awaited chronicle of the history of climbing in Yosemite National Park, one of the greatest rock climbing destinations in the world. The film will feature archival photographs and footage from Yosemite Valley, where a counterculture revolution took place around the climbing scene that rose up there. The great looking trailer for the film can be seen below. The full documentary is scheduled for release this fall, and it certainly looks like one to keep an eye on.
Video: Living True with Alex Honnold
By now, we all know that Alex Honnold is amongst the best rock climbers in the world. The video below is a great reminder of that however, showing us what Alex's life is like, as he travels from one place to another, living out of his van, while taking on some impressive climbing challenges. The video features some great shots of him climbing in his favorite playground, Yosemite. Alex says that climbing is everything to him, and a passion that is all consuming, which shows through in his approach to life.
Dewar's White Label "Live true" / Alex Honnold from Mireia Pujol on Vimeo.
Video: Impossible Invitation On El Cap
We've seen some good climbing videos of late and you can add this one to the mix. It features climber Kevin Jorgenson, who is working on climbing a new, very difficult route on El Capitan in Yosemite. This project has been an ongoing one for several years, but progress continues to be made. What makes this a great clip to watch is the subtle nature of the climbing on display. You'll get some great shots of Kevin working the wall, and you'll see just how small the hand and foot holds that is is working with are. Impressive and scary stuff.
Impossible Invitation from adidas Outdoor on Vimeo.
Female Climbers Set New Speed Record On The Nose
Both of the ladies have held the record in the past, but with different climbing partners. In 2011, Sauter and her partner scaled The Nose in 10 hours, 40 minutes, which established a record at the time. A year later, Smith-Gobat and her partner dropped that time down 7 hours, 26 minutes. This team-up of two of the world's top female climbers was able to lower the time dramatically, although they both say there is still room for improvement.
For comparison sake, the Adventure Journal points out that the route was first climbed back in 1958 over a period of 47 days. The current men's record is held by Hans Florine and Alex Honnold and stands at 2 hours, 36 minutes, 45 seconds. Smith-Gobat also teamed with Sean Leary to set the mixed-gender record of 4 hours, 22 minutes.
Obviously this climb took place prior to the closing of the park for the government shutdown this past Tuesday. Anyone who want to challenge the record will have to wait for the park to reopen again before they can give it a go.
Congrats to Mayan and Libby on an impressive outing. Well done!
On Assignment In Yosemite With Jimmy Chin
I came across this fantastic video this morning while reading Backcountry.com's The Goat Blog. Created by the talented folks over at the Camp 4 Collective, the video follows professional photographer Jimmy Chin around Yosemite as he documents the climbing culture there for National Geographic. Chin, who is one of the most accomplished adventure photographers working today, narrates the film, which gives more insight into his experiences there.
On Assignment from Camp 4 Collective on Vimeo.