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Alex Honnold response to Clif Bar & Co

Original Post
Martin le Roux · · Superior, CO · Joined Jul 2003 · Points: 401

In the NY Times, no less. Very measured response, but he gets in a couple of jabs. "Was Clif Bar terminating its sponsorship because I was doing exactly what I thought it had signed me up for in the first place?... It did seem odd that after years of support, someone at Clif Bar seemed to have awakened suddenly and realized that climbing without a rope on vertical walls as high as 2,000 feet is dangerous".

nyti.ms/1thm7wV

kevin graves · · Mammoth Lakes, CA · Joined Jul 2009 · Points: 5

Very well thought out, well written and right on the money. It IS a personal decision for Honnold just as it is for Clif. Both have every right to decide how they will move forward. But how do you separate soloing from climbing? When you climbed that approach with a pack on a 4th class ridge; was that soloing? When you climbed alone and did those 3 moves of 5.7; was that soloing? It appears to me that they are just against high profile soloing which might leave them open to litigation.

You can't have it both ways; Clif can't support climbing and denounce soloing as they aren't really separable. Clif seems to be more interested in supporting their own legal staff and succumbing to fears of litigation. They no longer support climbing. My decision is to support those who do and so I am done with Clif. Now if Snickers can just come up with chocolate that doesn't melt !

Nate W · · San Jose, CA · Joined Aug 2014 · Points: 20

This is all pretty perplexing to me.

There are plenty of sponsored athletes doing a lot more dangerous things—a ton of the Red Bull athletes, plus alpine climbers who sometimes are sponsored by non-outdoorsy companies like Rolex. So it doesn't seem like liability is the issue.

From Cliff Bar's statement, it seems like they are trying to distance themselves from "risky behavior" and become more mainstream. Maybe a brand pivoting in order to capture a larger market. This seems like a terrible mistake to me. The North Face, Patagonia, etc. have made a killing by making clothing purportedly for extreme outdoor pursuits that are then purchased by cubicle workers.

The package of Cliff Bars has someone hanging off a face. Or a CLIFF. What the hell are they trying to be?

MIZ · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2013 · Points: 75

It seems to me that "Clif" is finally realizing the consequences of their own actions. They publicized a very risky...pastime... and are now worried about fallback.

To me, this is Clif coming out as a "safe" product. No risk involved. They are taking a step back from the culture that is climbing. If they want to become a mainstream product, well done. If they want to keep being a source of energy for adventure....bad move. They've made their choice.

redlude97 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 5
spencerparkin wrote:EDIT: One more thought just occurred to me, and I believe it's significant. If I had encouraged Alex's free soloing, personally or as an official sponsor, and then he actually died doing that activity, then I would feel responsible for his death. Wanting to not only avoid that responsibility, but more importantly, to encourage Alex's long life and good health, (along with the population of Vulcan), is therefore a perfectly good reason for Clif Bar to drop Alex, and it may be that he shouldn't take it with offense. On the contrary, it may actually be a way of saying, "we care about you enough to drop you." Okay, I'll shut-up now.
thats a copout of an answer. He was free soloing before he was sponsored by clif bar and will continue to.
Kevin K · · San Diego · Joined Nov 2011 · Points: 5
spencerparkin wrote:EDIT: One more thought just occurred to me, and I believe it's significant. If I had encouraged Alex's free soloing, personally or as an official sponsor, and then he actually died doing that activity, then I would feel responsible for his death. Wanting to not only avoid that responsibility, but more importantly, to encourage Alex's long life and good health, (along with the population of Vulcan), is therefore a perfectly good reason for Clif Bar to drop Alex, and it may be that he shouldn't take it with offense. On the contrary, it may actually be a way of saying, "we care about you enough to drop you." Okay, I'll shut-up now.
Opinion.

redlude97 wrote:thats a copout of an answer.
Opinion.

redlude97 wrote:He was free soloing before he was sponsored by clif bar and will continue to.
Fact.

Alex is one cool dude. Great climbing, great interviews, great writing. Not much point in getting upset or holding a grudge. Just say your piece and move on...
Oliver McMahon · · Nashua, NH · Joined Dec 2013 · Points: 285

Maybe they should call it "Flat-Ground Bar".

EricF · · San Francisco · Joined May 2012 · Points: 120
Nate T.W. wrote:Maybe a brand pivoting in order to capture a larger market. This seems like a terrible mistake to me.
In my day we ate orange wedges at halftime of those soccer games! Now mom's suppose to buy cliff bars?

If you think this has anything to do with soloing (Liability) you're mad. This has to do expansion, new markets and stores like Target carrying hundreds of thousands of cliff bars.

This happens in all lifestyle sports. It's fucking awesome, small community, people find out, more people start doing it, people make money, more people do said activity in a shittier style, core group keeps kicking ass, people worship, people want to make more money, how many summits do you have in that North Face fleece? What blue squares do you take that split board and Burton AK pack on?

Surfing, Backpacking, Skiing, Skateboarding, Snowboarding, Mountain Biking/Climbing, is Honnold Tony Hawk? Is Soloing Half Dome the 900? All I know is I couldn't do either in my wildest dreams... O yeah and Clif Bars are fucking gross.
Mike C · · Co · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 1,046

Alex Honnold is an inspiration....his professionalism astounds me....his free soloing is breathtaking. His dignity and response to the whole cliff bar mess further supports his ethics. He still gave good feedback about cliff bar. I was eating them a lot this year but stopped a few months ago........a little like eating recycled food. I would still eat one if i had too. i know how much professional climbers rely on sponsorship. My respect for cliff bar will hinge on whether or not cliff bar offered up some sort of severance to those amazing climbers......i am not sure but they look alot like a "brown falcon". BROWN FALCON BARS ARE GROSS! Free soloing is free and that is worth something! I free solo a little and even though it can end in disaster i savor it whether cliff bar approves or not.......i don't ever think because Steph, Alex or Dean eat a cliff bar they can successfully free solo.....i think wow Steph, Alex, and Dean are amazing climbers breaking personal barriers.....occasionally they wear cliff bar shirts............not anymore............now everyone pretty much agrees the shirts are an eye sore of marketed eye catching psychology and the bars are tasteless......there are a lot more climbers out there affected by this than anyone really can calculate. I stopped eating them before they let go the best climbers in the world.I will not be supporting them ever again! I wonder how many climbers are going to boycott cliff bar..... from what i can see, there are a few. I have been eating them for many years but will be moving on just like they are. Free soloing is the ultimate expression of climbing......they should increase their sponsorship not fire them! Now is the time to start a new adventure bar company(one that tastes better)......i'd sponsor them....Climbers....inspiring! cliff bar....uninspiring! I don't give a crap about the liability of the company...look at what those people are risking....for fun and actualization!...not money! Ever see someone who has an severe peanut allergy eat one of their bars.....you think a free solo is dangerous.

Mr. Wonderful · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 10
Jake Jones wrote:I understand that this has no bearing on anything at all but I'm very OCD and a stickler for simple things, in addition to being kind of an asshole, so bear with me. There's only ONE GODDAMNED F in Clif.
That was FF@#$% hilarious. Thanks.
Anonymous · · Unknown Hometown · Joined unknown · Points: 0

Probably will always be my fav climber.

Tim McCabe · · Tucson, AZ · Joined Oct 2006 · Points: 130

"So it came as a shock last week when I came off a four-day climb of El Capitan in Yosemite to learn that Clif Bar, which had sponsored me for four years, had fired me along with four other well-known climbers:"

My only question on this has been answered, Clif how about a little heads up.

On the other hand I think maybe some of the blame should fall on modern climbing culture, as much as on Clif. Look at all of the comments on this site bashing on, not only free soloist, anybody who still puts up bold climbs.

Climbing and soccer are basically the same these days.

What's worse dying while taking risks or dying having never risked anything.

BBQ · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2009 · Points: 554

I've always wanted to tell Alex Honnold that he doesn't need to risk his life for my entertainment. I'd watch his videos and read about his exploits even if he decided to give up soloing and rope up for the rest of his life. However, using a rope is no guarantee that he won't die tragically, and Cliff Bar should realize that as they evaluate who else they sponsor. The bottom line is that Alex does not do what he does for my entertainment or the sake of sponsors. He does what he does for himself and himself only. It's the reason we all take the kinds of risks he talks about and enjoys. I can't wait to buy and read his new book. I wish him the best even though I know what the eventual outcome will be. I doubt I will get to read an obituary detailing how Alex died at age 100 in a nursing home, but it could be argued that he would not be happy with that outcome.

Austin Baird · · SLC, Utah · Joined Apr 2009 · Points: 95
Jake Jones wrote:I think there's some gray area in there Tim. That's where most of us live.
No room for nuance on the internets, Jake.
Tom Nyce · · Flagstaff, AZ · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 45
Mr. Wonderful wrote: That was FF@#$% hilarious. Thanks.
+1
j.henry · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2014 · Points: 0

I agree with those highlighting the fact that Clif is a corporation and is basically profit-driven. New markets, new branding, reducing fallout from an accident, etc. Call it cynical, but I think as corporations grow and earn more money, they have increasingly less capacity for sentimentality.

Tim McCabe · · Tucson, AZ · Joined Oct 2006 · Points: 130
Austin Baird wrote: No room for nuance on the internets, Jake.
Not sure what comment he's even referring to, hiring and firing or living your life in fear.
Tim McCabe · · Tucson, AZ · Joined Oct 2006 · Points: 130
j.henry wrote:I agree with those highlighting the fact that Clif is a corporation and is basically profit-driven. New markets, new branding, reducing fallout from an accident, etc. Call it cynical, but I think as corporations grow and earn more money, they have increasingly less capacity for sentimentality.
How would you feel if your employer one day said we don't want you any more. Wouldn't you want some warning? I've never been fired but I've have heard of all of the red tape that usually goes with termination. Thus avoiding the wrongful termination suit. So do the dropped athlete's have a case. As Alex said in his response "What was going on? Was Clif Bar terminating its sponsorship because I was doing exactly what I thought it had signed me up for in the first place?" Maybe so. Does Clif have the right to change their policy of course they do. But I doubt they drop top level corporate employee's with no warning or at least a huge severance.
Christian RodaoBack · · Tucson, AZ · Joined Jul 2005 · Points: 1,486
Tim McCabe wrote: How would you feel if your employer one day said we don't want you any more. Wouldn't you want some warning? I've never been fired but I've have heard of all of the red tape that usually goes with termination. Thus avoiding the wrongful termination suit. So do the dropped athlete's have a case. As Alex said in his response "What was going on? Was Clif Bar terminating its sponsorship because I was doing exactly what I thought it had signed me up for in the first place?" Maybe so. Does Clif have the right to change their policy of course they do. But I doubt they drop top level corporate employee's with no warning or at least a huge severance.
I highly doubt sponsored climbers are paid as employees,it's much more likely they're 1099ed.

Also, some clarification on what Jake was talking about, as if it wasn't obvious enough

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False…
Tim McCabe · · Tucson, AZ · Joined Oct 2006 · Points: 130
Christian wrote: I highly doubt sponsored climbers are paid as employees,it's much more likely they're 1099ed. Also, some clarification on what Jake was talking about, as if it wasn't obvious enough en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False…
1099 or what ever ethically I still call BS, surely none of them will have to give up the dream due to this but still how about a little compassion on the corporate level. Not this oh we're done with you now.

As to what ever Jake is talking about whatever.
Robert15 Stock · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 0
omcmahon wrote:Maybe they should call it "Flat-Ground Bar".
clif is actually short for clifford the original founders dad just sayin
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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