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MH2
Boulder climber
Andy Cairns
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Thank you, The Dak, and all others.
Too bad we have diminished "awesome." Would have been appropriate, here.
Sierra invited him to come back to Squamish for his 40th birthday. Looks like he might make it.
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Don Paul
Big Wall climber
Denver CO
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I wonder how many people can come back from elite level performance in such committing endeavors, and find satisfaction in a quotidian life? How to manage the urge to keep pushing the envelope, not get depressed or bored with a mundane existence where death is not on the line?
You just have to find something that doesn't require you to be in top athletic shape. For me, it was working in war zones as a human rights lawyer. (in fact, I am writing now from Apartado, Colombia, where the Clan del Golfo has been assassinating police officers continually) As JB once said, you go to the mountains to find yourself, and then one day you find that you don't need the mountains for that anymore.
As for sports, there is paragliding, kayaking (Royal Robbins), and others that don't require you to be in top physical shape. But I think that the skill of dealing with extreme danger and fear is best applied to things that have a more lasting value.
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i-b-goB
Social climber
Wise Acres
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Before he taps up...
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Norton
Social climber
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I cannot get over how unnaturally powerful and calm Alex's mind is...
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WanderlustMD
Trad climber
New England
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I was getting tires put on my car in a busy local shop when I saw the notification pop up. After letting loose with a series of expletives, I had to politely explain to several staring people what exactly was happening.
Way to go, Alex. Mind-blowing!
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jgill
Boulder climber
The high prairie of southern Colorado
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there is more beyond climbing that would fill many many human lifetimes with discovery
Good point, but whereas some have the intellect to make substantial contributions in science, say, others are more talented in extreme sports. Probably not a lot of overlap.
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drF
Trad climber
usa
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I don't want to take anything away from Alex's climbing achievement...
BUT, I'm a tiny dicked ol'man
Poor Queentoot.....so Jelly
Nevermind Queen's nonsense.
I was hoping he'd solo no more. But secretly waiting for his next beautiful achievement.
Alex is pure Samurai.
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clinker
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, California
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I'm drinking a glass of chard, waiting on the coals to get white. The family is arriving for the barbecue. Tomorrow JC and I are off to attempt a new pinnacle. I worked today and finally am able to read the NG article.
It is hard to fathom. Holy flocking sheep Alex! Drop anchor and celebrate dude!
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Avery
climber
New Zealand
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Can someone show me his exact route please!
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drF
Trad climber
usa
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I think someone needs to look in the mirror and see just what is there.
That was the memo to you Queen. As always, you don't get it. Mirror mirror on the wall.....lol
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crankster
Trad climber
No. Tahoe
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Avery, from the NG article...
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Mike Bolte
Trad climber
Planet Earth
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Wow - this must be one of the outstanding human athletic achievements of all time. A few weeks back scoping things out in the Meadow. I thought it was odd that they were so mum about what they were planning.
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mike m
Trad climber
black hills
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Congrats to Alex!!!!!!!
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ß Î Ø T Ç H
Boulder climber
ne'er–do–well
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Had things been different, Dean might have beaten him to it
Dean would be proud, RIP Glad you said that Kevin.
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JLP
Social climber
The internet
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Potter was not strong enough to have any margin, IMO, it would have been a suicide mission for him. The Boulder Problem V7, free solo 1/2 way up El Cap, is no BS. It's a low % section of climbing even for the pros who have it wired. The upper enduro corner and through the traverse, after freeing all the way up there in just a few hours, is a testament of insane climbing endurance and efficiency - it's 1-2 hanging belays in the middle of a bunch of hard 12 for most, that is among the very few even capable of climbing it at all.
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WyoRockMan
climber
Grizzlyville, WY
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Incredible accomplishment, I can't think of anything as comparable.
Now with that off his hit list, he should work on that farmer tan!
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aspendougy
Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
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The National Geo. link has some focus on Alex's exceptional ability to control fear:
"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain." (Litany against fear from DUNE)
Some questions come to mind: At age 31, has Alex peaked as an extreme athlete?
Will there be a repeat by another climber eventually? How long? I suspect quite some time.
How about a female repeat? Will that happen?
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aldude
climber
Monument Manor
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 3, 2017 - 09:21pm PT
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Or an onsight free solo ?
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