Free Solo, the movie, Alex Honnold Free Solo of El Cap

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Messages 1 - 72 of total 72 in this topic
Rudder

Trad climber
Costa Mesa, CA
Topic Author's Original Post - Jul 28, 2018 - 10:53pm PT
Anybody know when this is going to be released? Sure would have liked to have seen it right after, but whatevs. thanks
ß Î Ø T Ç H

Boulder climber
ne'er–do–well
Jul 28, 2018 - 11:48pm PT
Rudder

Trad climber
Costa Mesa, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 29, 2018 - 12:24am PT
uh huh

;)
johnr9q

Sport climber
Sacramento, Ca
Jul 29, 2018 - 07:01am PT
Alex said October
zip

Trad climber
pacific beach, ca
Jul 29, 2018 - 07:39am PT
El Cap has been free solo'd?
Gnome Ofthe Diabase

climber
Out Of Bed
Jul 29, 2018 - 08:17am PT
free Solo? Ya` Want free Solo? - here !
hope this scratches that itch . . .while waitin' for the new Hanluv flick,[Click to View YouTube Video] you'll just have to make do - an' do what I do

GO CLIMB A ROCK

`EVEN IF ITS BY THE SIDE OF A HIGHWAY - IF NEED BE... UP THRU THE SHRUBBERY [Click to View YouTube Video]
Rudder

Trad climber
Costa Mesa, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 29, 2018 - 07:33pm PT
It's odd. Like if the Lakers win the championship, but they don't televise it for two year. Seems like it would lose some of its zip, no?
Reeotch

climber
4 Corners Area
Jul 29, 2018 - 07:39pm PT
Nat Geo has it all sewed up. Bastards. I'd like to see the raw footage, but that will never see light of day. We will have to wait for some over-produced minidocumentary.
Should have just got some monkeys to film and post it up on YouTube, imho . . .
mikeyschaefer

climber
Sport-o-land
Jul 29, 2018 - 11:12pm PT
Monkeys did film it... and it’s not an over produced mini documentary. You are thinking of a different production company that is well know for making climbing films. Different crew.
Reeotch

climber
4 Corners Area
Jul 30, 2018 - 05:21am PT
We'll see about that. Why the long delay, then? Are they having a hard time deciding how to frame such an accomplishment for consumption by the general public.

Have you seen the film, Mikey? Were you involved? NDA? Can you share more?

I thought it was going to be a Nat Geo thing, but maybe I heard wrong.
spectreman

Trad climber
Jul 30, 2018 - 05:50am PT
Jimmy Chin and his crew of Monkeys did the filming. Who BUT Monkeys could pull off filming for such an event!

I can't wait to see the film. I'm glad they're spending the time to do it right.
mikeyschaefer

climber
Sport-o-land
Jul 30, 2018 - 08:22am PT
I was the Director of Photography and a producer on the film. Unfortunately I can’t say much about the film at this point due to an NDA. But I don’t think climbers will be disappointed. It should resonate with the core climbing audience as well as the larger public audience.

And it takes awhile to do a film of this scale. There are a lot of steps along the way and to do it right each step takes some time. I’m sure everyone on the team is looking forward to it being finished!
micronut

Trad climber
Fresno/Clovis, ca
Jul 30, 2018 - 08:27am PT
Thanks for the intel man. Stoked to see the final product, even if it takes some time.
Jon Beck

Trad climber
Oceanside
Jul 30, 2018 - 08:27am PT
It's going to be the most spectacular climbing film ever made.

A fairly small audience, most of the entertainment consuming public are not that stoked to watch more than 15 minutes of these antics. Even I am finding the whole soloing thing becoming a bit tedious. I will pass on the pay for view.

The climb was a pretty cheap source of footage so it is good grist for the entertainment mill. National Geographic is 73% owned by Fox.
Roots

Mountain climber
Redmond, Oregon
Jul 30, 2018 - 11:19am PT
And it takes awhile to do a film of this scale

Regardless, I think that one should strike while the iron is hot as opposed to waiting too long. Maybe we could get a 'short' or teaser soon to keep the momentum going strong...?
Toker Villain

Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
Jul 30, 2018 - 12:55pm PT
Its not a free climb if you have to pay to watch it.
micronut

Trad climber
Fresno/Clovis, ca
Jul 30, 2018 - 01:07pm PT
I agree, a trailer or quick snippet of the work in progress would go a long ways toward goodwill for the climbing community. We would all really appreciate it, even if the masses don't. I can't see the prod company losing much by allowing a "sneak peek" or a trailer. In my opinion it would definitely increase the stoke and relevancy, especially if they hope to make a bit of money off the whole thing.

Even ol tight lipped Lucas and Spielberg throw those trailers out there to fan the flames. Surprised we've seen nothing since the actual day of the deed.
micronut

Trad climber
Fresno/Clovis, ca
Jul 30, 2018 - 01:39pm PT
gimme
gimme
gimme
gimme
gimme
gimme
gimme!!!
Reeotch

climber
4 Corners Area
Aug 1, 2018 - 03:59am PT
Ok, ok! Can you blame me for being impatient?
I do appreciate the update and info from Mikey. A Jimmy Chin production makes me hopeful.
"Meru" is an absolutely amazing climbing film (just the story alone is amazing). It's on Netflix right now if you need a fix . . .
clinker

Trad climber
Santa Cruz, California
Aug 1, 2018 - 06:28am PT

This will be a great diet plan. Watch the movie for a minute and loose appetite for half a day.
Gnome Ofthe Diabase

climber
Out Of Bed
Aug 9, 2018 - 12:45pm PT
CC,
Thanx, !! for saving it, & all that !!


Aug 9, 2018 - 01:31pm PT

The Trailer,

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/films/free-solo/


threatening to be out in the fall for the fall.... (hahah??)





Both dead,nixed, day 1
[Click to View YouTube Video]
(Link,Same,as,above)
https://youtu.be/xNb524VQBU4



What He said
VvVvVvVvV
Clint Cummins

Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
Aug 9, 2018 - 01:31pm PT
Looks great.
"In theaters this fall."
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/films/free-solo/
Trashman

Trad climber
SLC
Aug 9, 2018 - 01:33pm PT
Hey, we’re all just a bit snake bit after waiting 3 plus years for Dawn Wall footage. At least it’s arriving this fall(and I’m sure they mean it this time ;)

Until this week nothing more solid than Big Ups never ending “Coming soon’s” had been released for this project, so forgive our skepticism (though Nat Geos involvement did bode well for it).
squishy

Mountain climber
Aug 9, 2018 - 04:07pm PT
I am really on the fence now after watching the trailer...if we know much of the audience doesn't understand this expression of climbing, why fall into the trap of creating a chilling spectacle or "freak show" to cause gasps? I understand the value of the feat, but I get a feeling that filming or presenting it this way is a bad idea. I hope I am wrong and it's well received by the public, but I see a risk in presenting this with any sensationalism. Does this give to the sport? Does it do the sport a service?
kunlun_shan

Mountain climber
SF, CA
Aug 9, 2018 - 04:26pm PT
I see a risk in presenting this with any sensationalism...

Based on the same filmmakers' direction of Meru, I doubt there will be much sensationalism and that the reality of what Alex is doing will be well portrayed.

Am really looking forward to seeing this on a big screen!
JLP

Social climber
The internet
Aug 9, 2018 - 04:47pm PT
I like Mr. Chin. I'm really glad this story did not fall into the hands of Sender Films, what a contrast with the Half Dome piece they did. Chin has 1000x the climbing experience of that entire crew, it shows.
RURP_Belay

Big Wall climber
Bitter end of a bad anchor
Aug 9, 2018 - 06:12pm PT
His Mom is awesome in that clip! She recognizes what fulfills him - what sets him free.

Looking forward to it with sweaty palms...

originalpmac

Mountain climber
Timbers of Fennario
Aug 9, 2018 - 06:34pm PT
The last shot in that trailer... What a bad motherphucker. I had the good fortune to pull him in on the alcove swing when he tied a loop in the rope and put his wrist through and swung. That was a great day, swings, cobras and skateboards.
Can't wait to see the film. Mikey and Jimmy are pros.
Wildincognito

climber
Eastside
Aug 9, 2018 - 09:13pm PT
So did the drone footage I keep seeing in the movies require a special permit, or did they capture it before the ban, or is it just another natgeo free for all and we just "git it done" like the base article?
climbski2

Mountain climber
The Ocean
Aug 10, 2018 - 04:26am PT
Filming for any commercial production inside the park requires special permission. (except press)

Additionally If one wishes to use aircraft in the production they must have a compelling sales pitch that the Park service finds in it's interest.

By no means impossible or illegal it just has go through the proper channels and has to be worthy and done within whatever constraints are agreed upon.

Glad they got the permission.
norm larson

climber
wilson, wyoming
Aug 10, 2018 - 04:47am PT
Looks quality all the way. The way I would expect from Jimmy.
JLP

Social climber
The internet
Aug 10, 2018 - 12:32pm PT
I think I've watched that trailer 50+ times now. The freeze frame for the trailer above looks like he's stepping into the meat of the Boulder Problem - and they hid the camera a bit so nobody who knows that thing pukes trying to watch. Fuk'n nails.
fear

Ice climber
hartford, ct
Aug 10, 2018 - 12:39pm PT
I just hope he retires soon from his current job. Seems like a nice guy with a bright future.

Every time someone says... "So, Did you hear about Honnold?" I cringe.....

High Fructose Corn Spirit

Gym climber
Aug 10, 2018 - 01:15pm PT
What does Tommy mean here?

"Everybody who is made for soloing - a big part of their life is dead now."

https://youtu.be/xNb524VQBU4?t=1m14s


Does he mean this kind of life - free soloing - requires sacrificing the normal life?

Now that Honnold's done it, it's game on for all other soloists?

Or something other?
shipoopoi

Big Wall climber
oakland
Aug 10, 2018 - 01:16pm PT
salivating at the idea of watching this asap. it seems a stunning achievement to both pull off the solo, film the send, and keep it as hush-hush as it was. ss
High Fructose Corn Spirit

Gym climber
Aug 10, 2018 - 01:25pm PT
Perfect film title, too.
hobo_dan

Social climber
Minnesota
Aug 10, 2018 - 01:30pm PT
Man, I had to chalk up just watching the trailer--it looks intense
WBraun

climber
Aug 10, 2018 - 01:36pm PT
Some of the comments on that YouTube trailer are so st00pid.
Roots

Mountain climber
Redmond, Oregon
Aug 10, 2018 - 02:14pm PT
What does Tommy mean here?

He means it's dangerous.

And, yes those YT comments are stOOpid.....except the one about it looks scarier than Pet Cemetery (movie). - I'd have to agree with that comment : )
Mei

Trad climber
mxi2000.net
Aug 10, 2018 - 02:33pm PT
What does Tommy mean here?

"Everybody who is made for soloing - a big part of their life is dead now."

https://youtu.be/xNb524VQBU4?t=1m14s

Everybody, who has made free soloing a big part of their life, is dead now.
High Fructose Corn Spirit

Gym climber
Aug 10, 2018 - 02:53pm PT
Thanks. I must have had that yanny laurel thing going on!
High Fructose Corn Spirit

Gym climber
Aug 10, 2018 - 03:00pm PT
Yeah, sorry Walleye.

I'll head back to the CMBR discussion on the mind thread now.
WanderlustMD

Trad climber
New England
Aug 11, 2018 - 11:52am PT
Trailer looks pretty mega.

I'm curious if Peter Croft will be in the final cut at all; Valley Uprising sorta skipped him and he would sure be relevant to the story....

mouse from merced

Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
Aug 11, 2018 - 12:48pm PT
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/nov/14/how-fox-ate-national-geographic

Jon Beck, I'm floored by this news. FOX?!?!

Toker, you're right on. Nothin's really free.

MH2

Boulder climber
Andy Cairns
Aug 11, 2018 - 01:27pm PT
Climbers disappointed? No.

I would put money on that.


Except for the fact that it misses any verifiable target.
Chief

climber
The NW edge of The Hudson Bay
Aug 11, 2018 - 01:55pm PT
Re this production and the trailer.

Meru was a finely crafted a piece of mountain cinematography and story telling and on the strength of that work I'm very much looking forward to this film.

The trailer shows promise of a great piece of work depicting a mind boggling achievement on Alex' part.

As a sidebar, the comment about the lifespan of someone dedicated to free soloing doesn't square with the accomplishments and longevity of Reinhold Messner and Peter Croft, two of the greatest soloists of their generations.

Respect,

PB
Chief

climber
The NW edge of The Hudson Bay
Aug 11, 2018 - 02:23pm PT
In all fairness, Tommy's right about the odds but in this case, just a bit too sweeping with that generalization.
McHale's Navy

Trad climber
From Panorama City, CA
Aug 11, 2018 - 04:24pm PT
It's a bit hyperbubbly. Don't let Alex Free Solo anything till the movie comes out.....he's probably seen it by now though. I saw that interview wherein Alex said the movie was going to be inspiring. That was probably an understatement! I hope there are plenty of disclaimers and warning to parents for their children to not try this sh#t at home since it will be in theaters.....kids of all streaks will be sneaking off to the crags. The crags will be crowded after this - LOL.....but they will quickly become un-crowded! I kind of wonder about the sanity of making the film so wildly available. People should have to jump through a few hoops to see it, just for caution sake. Hey, got a copy of that free-solo film going around? Can ya get me one?
Bad Climber

Trad climber
The Lawless Border Regions
Aug 12, 2018 - 07:27am PT
LOL:

The crags will be crowded after this - LOL.....but they will quickly become un-crowded!

I don't think it will be "lemming time" at the cliffs after this film. Basic self-preservation is still pretty high on most folks' list of to-do's. The super dramatic music was annoying. I hope there isn't much of that on the actual film. For dumb Hollywood action flicks, sure, but this requires a much more subtle hand. Hope Jimmy and his wife can wrangle this right. LOVED Meru and just watched it again with a climbing buddy. Great film.

BAd
McHale's Navy

Trad climber
From Panorama City, CA
Aug 12, 2018 - 09:29am PT
Will be the first time I'm watching a climbing flick while eating popcorn.
JLP

Social climber
The internet
Aug 12, 2018 - 09:31am PT
I'm officially burned out by ~100 views of that trailer. I think it ruined it for me. I don't need to see the movie now - except to see some of those amazing El Cap shots on the big screen...
Rudder

Trad climber
Costa Mesa, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Aug 12, 2018 - 03:45pm PT
I like how Alex got the old lady to paddle the canoe. Haha
squishy

Mountain climber
Aug 14, 2018 - 12:26pm PT
"I'm excited about how terrified I'll be while watching this."

"Everyone's hands will be sweating in the theater"

"I almost dropped my phone because my palms are so sweaty from watching this."

"This is going to give me anxiety & make my palms sweat. It’s going to beg so great though."

"I'm excited about how terrified I'll be while watching this."

"Its just stupid to do this w/o ropes!!"

"I bet I can get the same feeling of risk just by sharing needles."
Gunkie

Trad climber
Valles Marineris
Aug 14, 2018 - 01:06pm PT
Who was more nervous, the crew or Honnold during the filming?

I want to poop just thinking about the film.
fear

Ice climber
hartford, ct
Aug 14, 2018 - 01:07pm PT
I doubt the non-climbing wooly masses though will be sweating much since Alex makes 5.12 OW look easy...

"I could probably do that"
le_bruce

climber
Oakland, CA
Aug 14, 2018 - 01:51pm PT
Sweet sweet jesus am I excited to see this on the biggest f'ing screen I can find.

The person I most feel connected to in the whole trailer is whoever says "I can't believe you're going to watch." I'm beyond pumped to watch this because I know he made it. To be watching that day? Not in a million years.

Right or wrong on these?

The easy bit up to where we aid climbers pendulum into Hollow Flake? Or maybe Freeblast top half of p5, scary greasy slab that bouts us all @ .11b? Not sure



Few moments before the Boulder Problem (?). Maybe I'm off, but if this is that last stance before traversing up and into the BP... Ho-ly hell this pic in particular sends me reeling, just to imagine his head space at this moment and leading up to engaging with the BP sequence. Once he chose to latch the first hold of the BP... that moment, the strength of his mind, hard to fathom.



Two pics of the .12a traverse that follows the .12+ enduro corner - no rest between those that I can imagine. Hanging belay on top of the corner, and basically nowhere to go once you leave sous le toit, unless you take the marginal stance mid-corner, seems unlikely, or maybe break out right to the tiny ledge beneath the roofs but also can't imagine that making sense



And with Jimmy Chin at the helm of the film? It's going to be phenomenal.
JLP

Social climber
The internet
Aug 14, 2018 - 02:30pm PT
The easy bit up to where we aid climbers pendulum into Hollow Flake?
It's definitely not that. I took it to be somewhere in the Freeblast 5.11 slab pitches.

Maybe I'm off, but if this is that last stance before traversing up and into the BP...
It's not the last one, he's on 5.10 or so in that pic, 15 ish ft below the business. The youtube photo [that was] above - unfortunately since removed - and didn't appear in the trailer - that was a dramatic shot of the last easy move - one foot on a small stance, the other on V-hard about to get harder.
Gnome Ofthe Diabase

climber
Out Of Bed
Aug 14, 2018 - 07:04pm PT
dagnabbit gnew i shouldA grab them aLLL
McHale's Navy

Trad climber
From Panorama City, CA
Aug 14, 2018 - 08:56pm PT
Can't wait. We get to eavesdrop on somebody free-soloing El Cap like we're a fly on the wall.
Inner City

Trad climber
Portland, OR
Aug 14, 2018 - 09:41pm PT
Croft is a notable 'survivor' of the soloing pursuit...
Jimmy Jam

Big Wall climber
Naples, Florida
Aug 15, 2018 - 08:43am PT
Very cool how the trailer ends with it moving over the top of El Cap. This is sure to be an awe-inspiring and visually amazing film.
Caddy

Trad climber
Folsom, CA
Aug 15, 2018 - 09:44am PT
Movies like "Free Solo" are encouraging kid climbers to free solo and risk death. A few weeks ago, I had to talk a young lady out of free soloing a route she said "Someone told me about" in Tuolumne Meadows. I basically said "If you can't find it, don't solo it", it will be more fun to come top-ropeing with my handsome sons and swimming in Tenaya lake afterward. Of course that wasn't "Evolutionary" enough. The truth is if you want to be an "Evolutionary" wise senior climber who can hang out at the T-Meadows store enjoying smiles and sunshine decades later, "Use a Rope."

Captain Curt
Ed Hartouni

Trad climber
Livermore, CA
Aug 19, 2018 - 08:39pm PT
this has been posted upthread a lot, but here it is as a windowed link:

[Click to View YouTube Video]
Ed Hartouni

Trad climber
Livermore, CA
Aug 19, 2018 - 08:41pm PT
Who was more nervous, the crew or Honnold during the filming?

talking to two right after, the photogs were mighty nervous
JerryA

Mountain climber
Sacramento,CA
Aug 20, 2018 - 08:24am PT
Is Mike Hoover's 1972 documentary "Solo" the only climbing movie ever nominated for an Academy Award ?
Don Paul

Social climber
Washington DC
Aug 20, 2018 - 08:34am PT
Nat Geo has reached a new low point. We were better off in their Rudyard Kipling days gawking at the topless pygmies.
Flip Flop

climber
Earth Planet, Universe
Aug 20, 2018 - 09:29am PT
I saw Chief do some wild shenanigans at Donner Summit. Here's a serious guy, running a movie production team, taking a ropeless run on 5.hard during snack break. Who skips snack time?

The nuance will always be the balances between risk and reward. I prefer the fun and farcical to the frightening and final. Too many idjit kids it wheelchairs. Now, my life has been climbing, ski mountaineering, surfing, swimming, kayaking, biking, skating and a career in construction,I'm no stranger to risk. I probably ski way better than Honnold. Can he even surf yet? A lot of kids from Sacramento don't swim. Which is hella ironic.
None of these things are really that hard. I hear that the Triple Lutz is easy, with enough focus😂😂😂. (The Triple Lindy is actually pretty impossible)
Most importantly, nobody really cares. If you take it too seriously, the next thing you know, somebody gets whacked in the knee with a blackjack.

In the wise words of Rodney Dangerfield " We're all going to get laid!!!"

Edit: in the post truth era of fake snews it's important to show references.
1. Tanya Harding
2. Back to School
3. Sacramento River, American River, California Delta


Jan

Mountain climber
Colorado & Nepal
Aug 20, 2018 - 10:18am PT
I just attended a show in Boulder this past Saturday by Peter Mortensen, director of Caldwell & Jorgenson's movie who said the The Dawn Wall and Honnold's are both coming out within the same week in September.
JLP

Social climber
The internet
Aug 20, 2018 - 10:29am PT
^^^I notice they just dropped the trailer. I'm so burned out on hearing "Dawn Wall", they could at least have chosen a different name.

It will be interesting to see how 2 climbing movie releases do at the same time. What sport ever has had 2 movies out at the same time in mainstream theaters?
AP

Trad climber
Calgary
Aug 20, 2018 - 10:40am PT
Will the theatres sell chalk next to the popcorn?
AE

climber
Boulder, CO
Aug 23, 2018 - 02:09pm PT
The Caldwell comment is not far off, when you consider Bonatti, Messner and Croft stand out as the exceptions. Uli Steck, one of the most remarkable alpinists in a generation, gone. Those who gradually phased out the most cutting edge solos for whatever reasons are the ones who lived, or are still living.
Some like Hermann Buhl seem destined to die in the mountains, and others like Haston seemed driven to take risks because the last adventure had already grown stale and bored them. There is a window of time in which such inherently risky pursuits can be balanced with the other elements in a life, but as time goes by, the learning curve has flattened, the body hints at fallibility, and many other concerns intrude into the spaces where only absolute concentration and focus must rule in order to persist in the quest, over, and over. Even then, it sometimes is not enough.
Even when I could admire the accomplishments, I always felt that dying climbing was nothing noble, in fact a sort of sign of failure. When the elite of the sport collectively shiver watching Alex make his ascents, and friends reveal the hope that he can move gracefully and graciously into other less risky realms, it is clear how razor-thin the margins have been. Some of us on the sidelines really appreciate Honnold not just for his soloing, but for his humility, and his ability to delve into serious examination of the paradoxes in pushing a solitary vision. Many I'm sure harbor a secret hope that the film can represent a fruition of his dream, and possibly begin the next chapter, rather than leaving us in the wings, biting our nails dreading the epilogue.
To quote another late climber, Tom Patey, there are old climbers, and there are bold climbers - but there are no old, bold climbers.
the Fet

climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
Aug 23, 2018 - 02:26pm PT
Many I'm sure harbor a secret hope that the film can represent a fruition of his dream

I think the nature of his accomplishment is the fruition of a dream and a logical conclusion. Really after you've soloed El Cap what else is there? It's an incredible high mark with no reason to try to one up it. A harder route on El Cap... why?

He's also 33 years old now. I noticed a shift when I reached my 30s that I was able to start focusing on other priorities. There's other avenues of climbing he can explore that are less risky but just as challenging, as we saw with him reclaiming the Nose record, (not that that's safe).

He's got a really good head on his shoulders. I suspect he will never give up easier soloing (too much fun) so I just hope he always keeps his guard up, (even though sometimes things are out of our control).
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