OT: Most amazing athletic accomplishment ...

[SVCBeercats]

Alex Honnold did something no other person has ever done. He free soloed the sheer face of El Capitan. Description of El Capitan? The answer is VERTICAL. See the video below. It is not the El Cap climb. For that you must wait for the movie.

Alex Honnold has become the first climber to free-solo Yosemite’s 3,000-foot El Capitan. National Geographic first reported the achievement. Honnold climbed the route “Freerider” on El Capitan with no rope. It’s a zigzagging 30-pitch climb that has sections as hard as 5.13. He did not use any equipment, and he climbed alone. This is the first time a rock climber has ascended El Capitan without a rope. The free-solo of El Cap has long been a holy grail in the climbing world. National Geographic reports Honnold completed the ascent this morning, Saturday, June 3. The climb was “documented for an upcoming National Geographic feature film and magazine story,” the article states.

 

[JordyG]

Alex Honnold did something no other person has ever done. He free soloed the sheer face of El Capitan. Description of El Capitan? The answer is VERTICAL. See the video below. It is not the El Cap climb. For that you must wait for the movie.

Alex Honnold has become the first climber to free-solo Yosemite’s 3,000-foot El Capitan. National Geographic first reported the achievement. Honnold climbed the route “Freerider” on El Capitan with no rope. It’s a zigzagging 30-pitch climb that has sections as hard as 5.13. He did not use any equipment, and he climbed alone. This is the first time a rock climber has ascended El Capitan without a rope. The free-solo of El Cap has long been a holy grail in the climbing world. National Geographic reports Honnold completed the ascent this morning, Saturday, June 3. The climb was “documented for an upcoming National Geographic feature film and magazine story,” the article states.

That is just scary sick. Especially for someone like me who is a far bigger fan of horizontal climbing.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I've been there--at the bottom. That's very impressive.

 

[Bestiarius]

Doing anything where your first mistake is your last,,,, No thanks.

 

[eebmg]

That is just scary sick. Especially for someone like me who is a far bigger fan of horizontal climbing.

Horizontal lying down even better.

 

[Kaizen]

Great achievement but should not encourage others to do.

 

[SVCBeercats]

Doing anything where your first mistake is your last,,,, No thanks.

Yeeeaaahhhh! I not up for being wiped out by a violent spontaneous sneeze! Achooo! Alex? Alex? Gone in 6 nanoseconds!

 

[VAMike23]

Yeeeaaahhhh! I not up for being wiped out by a violent spontaneous sneeze! Achooo! Alex? Alex? Gone in 6 nanoseconds!

Or how about...

"Cramp! Cramp! Omg, my calf is cramping!"

 

[SVCBeercats]

Great achievement but should not encourage others to do.

With all the kids today into Xtreme Sports, I believe your warning too late. Think back to Evel Knievel. We were shocked, feared for his life, afraid the kids would try to do the same. Didn't they know he was superhuman ... well ... maybe not with all the broken bones. Now the young riders make Evel look like a hack even when considering the improvement in equipment. Not only do they make bigger and badder jumps; they do somersaults while jumping with their motorcycles. Back to Alex, Notice no one else has even tried what has done. If they had, their demise would have been mentioned. Even the world class climbers think he either has an additional part to his brain or more likely missing the brain parts that evaluate risk. Actually he trained for one year with 60+ roped climbs of El Capitan in order to choreograph and literally memorize every single move of the eventual climb. There was meticulous preparation.

When I reflect on my years between 12 to 30; I am in wonder that I am north of 70. In males the risk assessment brain parts on average complete maturing around 25 years of age. Until then males must rely on luck ... and parental prayers. Fortunately, females experience a faster maturation of the risk assessment centers.

 

[SVCBeercats]

Or how about...

"Cramp! Cramp! Omg, my calf is cramping!"

Oh! Just walk it off. Hmmm, wait a minute!

 

[Huskee11]

Hmmmm.....................think I'll stick to golf. As long as no one from an adjacent hole beans me and I don't drive my golf cart in the water hazard, should be ok.

This thread makes me think of "Into Thin Air" by John Krakauer, a good read about a 1996 Mount Everest climbing disaster.

 

[CL82]

Hmmmm......think I'll stick to golf. As long as no one from an adjacent hole beans me and I don't drive my golf cart in the water hazard, should be ok.

This thread makes me think of "Into Thin Air" by John Krakauer, a good read about a 1996 Mount Everest climbing disaster.

I've wanted to read this. Thanks for the reminder!

Have you read his book Into the Wild? It is a very interesting read.

 

[Fishy]

Great achievement but should not encourage others to do.

In this instance, there's no danger of that.

There's little chance a normal person would get high enough on that rock to sprain their ankle if they fell. It's just a sheer rock wall.

 

[uconnfan68]

Alex Honnold did something no other person has ever done. He free soloed the sheer face of El Capitan. Description of El Capitan? The answer is VERTICAL. See the video below. It is not the El Cap climb. For that you must wait for the movie.

Alex Honnold has become the first climber to free-solo Yosemite’s 3,000-foot El Capitan. National Geographic first reported the achievement. Honnold climbed the route “Freerider” on El Capitan with no rope. It’s a zigzagging 30-pitch climb that has sections as hard as 5.13. He did not use any equipment, and he climbed alone. This is the first time a rock climber has ascended El Capitan without a rope. The free-solo of El Cap has long been a holy grail in the climbing world. National Geographic reports Honnold completed the ascent this morning, Saturday, June 3. The climb was “documented for an upcoming National Geographic feature film and magazine story,” the article states.

He'd kill on Ninja Warrior.

 

[JordyG]

Horizontal lying down even better.

Depends on who's beneath me.

 

[BroadwayVa]

That is just scary sick. Especially for someone like me who is a far bigger fan of horizontal climbing.

If you turn the picture 90 degrees to the left---it's is actually very easy---nothing to it. Like crawling on the floor.
For me if they put 8 tether lines and an electrical wench (is that like a pirates winch ) I'd still remain on solid earth--I even worry about earth falling off --to where?? I missed that class.

 

[BroadwayVa]

In this instance, there's no danger of that.

There's little chance a normal person would get high enough on that rock to sprain their ankle if they fell. It's just a sheer rock wall.

It's not about getting HIGH on the rock---it's about getting HIGH to climb the rock.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Hmmmm......think I'll stick to golf. As long as no one from an adjacent hole beans me and I don't drive my golf cart in the water hazard, should be ok.

This thread makes me think of "Into Thin Air" by John Krakauer, a good read about a 1996 Mount Everest climbing disaster.

When you drive in that water--look around a bit and retrieve 40 of my clubs --I may have misplaced there!

 

[JordyG]

If you turn the picture 90 degrees to the left---it's is actually very easy---nothing to it. Like crawling on the floor.
For me if they put 8 tether lines and an electrical wench (is that like a pirates winch ) I'd still remain on solid earth--I even worry about earth falling off --to where?? I missed that class.

LOL. You ain't no damn good

How a star looks after falling off the wagon.

 

[BroadwayVa]

With all the kids today into Xtreme Sports, I believe your warning too late. Think back to Evel Knievel. We were shocked, feared for his life, afraid the kids would try to do the same. Didn't they know he was superhuman ... well ... maybe not with all the broken bones. Now the young riders make Evel look like a hack even when considering the improvement in equipment. Not only do they make bigger and badder jumps; they do somersaults while jumping with their motorcycles. Back to Alex, Notice no one else has even tried what has done. If they had, their demise would have been mentioned. Even the world class climbers think he either has an additional part to his brain or more likely missing the brain parts that evaluate risk. Actually he trained for one year with 60+ roped climbs of El Capitan in order to choreograph and literally memorize every single move of the eventual climb. There was meticulous preparation.

When I reflect on my years between 12 to 30; I am in wonder that I am north of 70. In males the risk assessment brain parts on average complete maturing around 25 years of age. Until then males must rely on luck ... and parental prayers. Fortunately, females experience a faster maturation of the risk assessment centers.

Women less rick takers after 30 ?? Some! My wife took up flying after 40, my daughter departed well flying aircraft--after 30. . For me the blush of flying faded away 20 years ago.
As an advanced aged male---your assessment, and Dr Phils assessment of the Male Brain maturing as one approaches 30--lacks real research. My risky behavior continues--if you don't believe that--ride with me as I drive thru Manhattan or Quebec or Montreal highways--no risk --you don't move.
I could list the hundreds of times that should have killed me--but Rocky would post--why did you miss?

 

[ctfjr]

I'm a real hero on my radio tower (120') with a climbing belt but not so great on a 6' step ladder. The face of this rock???? meshugana!

 

[BroadwayVa]

LOL. You ain't no damn good

View attachment 23614

How a star looks after falling off the wagon.

I spent soo much time falling off the wagon---my wife took my wagon away.

 

[SVCBeercats]

Women less rick takers after 30 ?? Some! My wife took up flying after 40, my daughter departed well flying aircraft--after 30. . For me the blush of flying faded away 20 years ago.
As an advanced aged male---your assessment, and Dr Phils assessment of the Male Brain maturing as one approaches 30--lacks real research. My risky behavior continues--if you don't believe that--ride with me as I drive thru Manhattan or Quebec or Montreal highways--no risk --you don't move.
I could list the hundreds of times that should have killed me--but Rocky would post--why did you miss?

Are you bragging or complaining? Actually, there is a difference between an average and an outlier. Are you an outlier or an out and out liar? Some people's brains just don't mature properly. I am guessing the words concerning your wife and daughter are saying they both took up flying after 30. Heredity can be a terrible thing.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Are you bragging or complaining? Actually, there is a difference between an average and an outlier. Are you an outlier or an out and out liar? Some people's brains just don't mature properly. I am guessing the words concerning your wife and daughter are saying they both took up flying after 30. Heredity can be a terrible thing.

You really shouldn't talk about your heredity--in or out lying.
No lies lots of bragging---I'm proud of both of them--they are do-ers--not sitters .
Yep heredity can be terrible--in this case exceptional.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Are you bragging or complaining? Actually, there is a difference between an average and an outlier. Are you an outlier or an out and out liar? Some people's brains just don't mature properly. I am guessing the words concerning your wife and daughter are saying they both took up flying after 30. Heredity can be a terrible thing.

I wasn't going to brag about my grandson --he too is a flyer--took the written test for Naval Aviation
Pilot training--and came 2 point from ace-ing it, now on to the physical. He took his pilot training in England while getting his masters--came home to join the Navy. Bursting with pride and braggin--you bet the thing you are sitting on--yes that old chair.

 

[JordyG]

I spent soo much time falling off the wagon---my wife took my wagon away.

Just take away the wheels. Call it a Big Cup.

 

[bags27]

Interesting question of "greatest athletic feat". Human against object rather than human against another human (athletic or sport contest). The mountain can't play defense

 

[SVCBeercats]

Interesting question of "greatest athletic feat". Human against object rather than human against another human (athletic or sport contest). The mountain can't play defense

The mountain most assuredly can play defense. It can seep water on the day you climb. Birds and small rodents can stroll out on your arm when you place a hand in a crevice. Or simply break off when you shift your weight. Is the decathlon an athletic endeavor or a sporting event? Is a marathon an athletic endeavor or sporting event? Are they really competing against another athlete or against the limits of their abilities and endurance? Where is the defense in the decathlon or marathon? Defense in the high jump? None? Are the Olympics not a sporting event filled with athletic feats? Are there no athletic feats within a sporting event? You are splitting hairs. Free soloing a sheer cliff for 4 hours is a real test of endurance, strength, flexibility, and serious mental toughness. The competition in mountain climbing is against other climbers. Can they climb what you just climbed? How fast can they climb it? Speed records are maintained. Was the easy or hard route taken? What equipment is used or not used? Defense does not make a sporting event or athletic feat.

Is it sporting event or athletic event? The same?

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

For someone who cries climbing a 6' ladder that sheer cliff climbing is sick!

 

[bags27]

The mountain most assuredly can play defense. It can seep water on the day you climb. Birds and small rodents can stroll out on your arm when you place a hand in a crevice. Or simply break off when you shift your weight. Is the decathlon an athletic endeavor or a sporting event? Is a marathon an athletic endeavor or sporting event? Are they really competing against another athlete or against the limits of their abilities and endurance? Where is the defense in the decathlon or marathon? Defense in the high jump? None? Are the Olympics not a sporting event filled with athletic feats? Are there no athletic feats within a sporting event? You are splitting hairs. Free soloing a sheer cliff for 4 hours is a real test of endurance, strength, flexibility, and serious mental toughness. The competition in mountain climbing is against other climbers. Can they climb what you just climbed? How fast can they climb it? Speed records are maintained. Was the easy or hard route taken? What equipment is used or not used? Defense does not make a sporting event or athletic feat.

Is it sporting event or athletic event? The same?

I wrote that of course with the same tongue-in-cheek as did you, since we both ended with emojis. My main point is that there seems to be a very vague and broad division between competing against another human directly or indirectly (and does that include,say, chess?) and accomplishing something for personal pride and not against another human. is there a difference between first up mt Everest with a Sherpa guide, oxygen, and a support team at base camp and being the first human on the moon? Just my wasting time splitting hairs 'cause it's summer.