Matt Bush

Curious why Matt Bush isn’t much more famous considering the amount of time he’s been doing what he does at such a high level, the difficulty in terms of grades of some of his hardest free solos, and the style in which he climbs, that being barefoot now...

I feel as though if he were American or French he’d be continually pitted/compared to Honnold, but since he climbs down in his bubble of South Africa he doesn’t get much mention?

Maybe I just don’t pay enough attention to forums or the media but that’s struck me as odd for awhile now so figured I’d ask the question to the general wisdom-laden forum that is Mountain Project. 

Who? 

Never heard of him. 

it's probably all the lycra

The answer is racism Ryan.

let’s move this thread to the politics session please. 

Dan Cookseywrote:

The answer is racism Ryan.

let’s move this thread to the politics session please. 

Cooksey.... why do you say that???  

Genuine question 

Guy Keeseewrote:

Cooksey.... why do you say that???  

Genuine question 

Genuine response. 

look.  Every thread here turns into a political dumpster fire.  Just trying to get a good laugh In ahead of the potential debate that could ensue.  

I have been climbing in SA for almost a decade and have been asking myself the same. My conclusion so far is that it is probably a combination of being from a a place that isn't on the radar and his character. He truly is a gifted climber. Amazing to watch hiw he moves. But somehow he never seems to crack how to 'make it' in a commercial sense. At the very least he should have solid sponsor relations, but he hasn't, at least not to the degree someone of his abilities should. He is a bit of an oddball, but isn't everyone who make free soloing hard stuff part of their lives on some sort of spectrum? 

Maybe he isn't interested in the attention?  Maybe he isn't marketable?  Maybe he doesn't want pressure from sponsors etc and wants to do his own thing?

Just keep liking his things on Instagram ;-P

Gumby Kingwrote:

Maybe he isn't interested in the attention?  Maybe he isn't marketable?  Maybe he doesn't want pressure from sponsors etc and wants to do his own thing?

Just keep liking his things on Instagram ;-P

My impression isn't that he isn't interested. Not a fan of his instagram style tbh, maybe that explains something too...

I have wondered the same - especially since many other "Free solo" IG profiles have been mercilessly roasted here on MP, and he seems to have escaped that treatment...

You say it like it’s a bad thing.  Does he want more attention from the world?  Most sane people don’t.

I like to believe there are plenty of climbers out there accomplishing headline-level sends of which we the public and community at large will never know about.

Yeah why wasn't Hansjorg Auer (RIP) more known or Jim Reynolds still? Both soloing really cool stuff. Google hansjorg rappel and watch him rap off a pebble at altitude on dental floss. Then look up the fish in the dolomites and see the stuff he was free soloing. 

Gumby Kingwrote:

Maybe he isn't interested in the attention?  Maybe he isn't marketable?  Maybe he doesn't want pressure from sponsors etc and wants to do his own thing?

Just keep liking his things on Instagram ;-P

The filming and posting of videos on Instagram/Youtube seems to suggest he does want the attention, doesn't it?  Otherwise why post?  

Of course I don't know him personally, so maybe he is very content to just post and walk away.  But my cynicism of social media sees all posting as attention seeking.

Strong climber for sure, and very fluid movement that is almost like a dance on the rock.

Face it people who make a thing out of free soloing are an odd lot. But going pro? Isn't that mostly a modeling gig? Maybe this guy is just too homely?

Dan Cookseywrote:

Genuine response. 

look.  Every thread here turns into a political dumpster fire.  Just trying to get a good laugh In ahead of the potential debate that could ensue.  

I know the path most threads take- but why say Racism right off? You trying to push for some political agenda?

Jess saying..... 

I don’t know who he is because I don’t do IG, FB, Twitter or other “spray” sites. I know many many climbers who aren’t looking to become famous, be a PRO, they just wish to do what they do.

Do they have anything like El Cap in SA? Big stuff you know. 

Brad Christiewrote:

The filming and posting of videos on Instagram/Youtube seems to suggest he does want the attention, doesn't it?  Otherwise why post?  

ShE wAs AsKiNg FoR iT

Every South African climber is genuinely embarrassed for their entire climbing community when you mention his name...that's why. 

Kinda like how a lot of americams feel when Trump's name is brought up abroad....

#politicizeMP

Guy Keeseewrote:

I know the path most threads take- but why say Racism right off? You trying to push for some political agenda?

Yes.

Fann Yanngwrote:

Kinda like how a lot of americams feel when Trump's name is brought up abroad....

#politicizeMP

A lot???   You take a survey Fann?