Overview
On June 3, 2017, Alex Honnold free soloed El Capitan’s Freerider route (3,000 feet, 5.13a) in Yosemite in 3 hours 56 minutes—climbing without ropes, protection, or safety equipment. The achievement is considered one of the greatest athletic feats in history.
The Documentary
Free Solo (2018), directed by Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, documented Honnold’s preparation and climb. It won the 2019 Academy Award for Best Documentary, grossed $29 million, and introduced millions to climbing culture.
The Boulder Problem
The climb’s crux—the “Boulder Problem”—is a 5.13a section requiring a difficult karate-kick move 1,750 feet off the ground. Honnold practiced the sequence over 60 times with ropes before attempting it free solo.
Cultural Impact
The documentary sparked debates about risk, ambition, and the ethics of filming life-or-death athletic attempts. Honnold became climbing’s first mainstream celebrity, appearing on 60 Minutes and speaking at tech conferences.
Sources
- Free Solo (2018 documentary), National Geographic
- Academy Award win (February 24, 2019)
- Honnold’s climb date: June 3, 2017 (confirmed by climbers Dean Potter memorial)