Alex Honnold Soloing Taipei 101

After watching that interview, I figure that he uses a bucket of weasels to do his hair.  

My other thought, (after spending a lot of time in Taipei myself) when he mentioned it being in the sun, was the surface temperature of the building.  I assume that was part of the “recon”, but if sun is out, things get hot AF there.  I’d worry not so much about the climbing itself but being the equivalent of an ant under a magnifying glass.  

Iz K wrote:

He is for sure not a household name. Anytime it comes up that I climb, when talking with non-climbers, I’m prompted with a “you don’t free climb like that one guy…”

To which I usually reply, “oh you’re talking Alex Honnold? No.”

Most folks I know don't know his name or accomplishments. If they did know they would know that this live event is like a walk in the park for him and nobody would tune in to watch.

Why does anyone here even care?

Most of us who climb just want to get outside, have fun, stay safe, and maybe challenge ourselves.

Why should we care about people who monetize what the rest of us do out of love and for fun?

And double negative for all the people who refer to the commercial climbers by first name when they've never met them and are not on a first-name basis with them. They're like the people who engage in name-dropping at parties. Please rediscover your self-respect if you ever had it.

I’m gonna watch, but I’m not gonna tell anyone I’m gonna watch

Gotta love thread drift...

Tim K wrote:

Personally, maintaining a relationship with a pedophile and brutal rapist is more problematic for me than getting a good paycheck for one's family.

There was a very thoughtful post earlier this year by one of the survivors of Charlie’s crimes that discussed the topic of complicity, and I’d encourage you to read it if you haven’t already:

https://www.mountainproject.com/forum/topic/200525853/charlie-barrett-character-letter-writers-and-the-drama-surrounding-rr-a-survivor

Your post makes it sound as if he knew about their actions at the time he was friends with them, and I’m not aware of any evidence that’s the case, nor do I think every person who ever knew the perpetrators is obligated to release a public statement denouncing them. It’s obviously a big and heavy topic, and if there is more to the story that warrants further discussion, I think it deserves its own thread.

Edit (to avoid further drift): Not saying he did nothing wrong either, it depends what/how much he knew. Just didn’t want to lump him in with defenders and deniers based only on association. I can appreciate other views on this. Not trying to shut down further discussion, but it seemed like a bigger conversation rather than a quick aside (another Charlie thread went 40 pages).

It was more interesting than the El Cap thing he did. I stopped watching that after 10 to 15 minutes; it was vapid, unbearable.   

M M wrote:

Most folks I know don't know his name or accomplishments. If they did know they would know that this live event is like a walk in the park for him and nobody would tune in to watch.

Def not a household name, right?

I just heard Lincoln Knowles free soloed the building yesterday. Not for the cameras and money just for the inspiration of climbing a building before alex did. Anybody else hear this?  Good for him. 

Andy W wrote:

I don't understand the hate. Professional athletes across most televised sports dramatize parts of their sport to increase viewership, all so they can get paid the big bucks to play the game they love. Good for AH to be the first pro climber (maybe first pro adventure athlete) to scratch the surface of what the "standard" pro athletes make. And he gives a bunch of it to charity. 

The hate. And the haters. Hating with so much hate.

No hate just not interesting for me. I don't like cities so by default buildering in a city is not my thing m 

trailridge wrote:

I just heard Lincoln Knowles free soloed the building yesterday. Not for the cameras and money just for the inspiration of climbing a building before alex did. Anybody else hear this?  Good for him. 

Where did you hear that?

Anthony Altemara wrote:

Where did you hear that?

People are saying.

Alex has def moved on to mere Circus Act. GG.

What's next? Juggling while high lining? Somebody will pay to see that...

Get an Education, Alex. Better than clown show for money.

John Tuttle wrote:

Alex has def moved on to mere Circus Act. GG.

What's next? Juggling while high lining? Somebody will pay to see that...

Get an Education, Alex. Better than clown show for money.

I'd inquire about the paycheck amount before making that statement myself.  

M M wrote:

I'd inquire about the paycheck amount before making that statement myself.  

Sure dude. What price dignity?

I recently returned from EPC. Have you climbed there? Mr Honnold soloed El Sendero Luminoso. A paradigm example of exemplary climbing achievement. His intellectual and enviromental credentials are to be admired, respected and not envied. I do not believe money is his primary motivator. Fortunatey his family benefits from his entrepreneural marketing of his unique skills. In all respects I believe Mr Honnold is a very impressive man whom I admire.

John Tuttle wrote:

Sure dude. What price dignity?

Maybe he will use some of that undignified cash towards good in the world. It's not like he is promoting hate and imperialism or even big pharma (I wouldn't be surprised to see a Viagra or weight loss drug ad or two).

I did try and find out the $ amount unsuccessfully. 

Colin Rowe wrote:

I recently returned from EPC. Have you climbed there? Mr Honnold soloed El Sendero Luminoso. A paradigm example of exemplary climbing achievement. His intellectual and enviromental credentials are to be admired, respected and not envied. I do not believe money is his primary motivator. Fortunatey his family benefits from his entrepreneural marketing of his unique skills. In all respects I believe Mr Honnold is a very impressive man whom I admire.

His family ain't gonna benefit if he makes one mistake. You and I have very different opinions as to what is best for one's family and 2 children. A REAL plan is not doing free solos for money. Eventually it ends in tragedy. If he was "doing it for his family" he'd have a better strat than this travesty to sell caffeine water to kids.

John Tuttle wrote:You and I have very different opinions as to what is best for one's family and 2 children. 

I’ve seen this take all over the socials by dads, but mostly ones who think he’s basically about to unalive himself on purpose.

We are talking about a guy who met his wife during the filming of a major motion picture called free solo, where he adamantly expressed he was always going to do this. And he still free solos on a weekly basis in red rock canyon. I’d say getting paid millions to solo a building beneath his ability level is small fries, but so is my opinion.

He’s doing a super public stunt here so he opens himself up to criticism, but also, it’s not your family, and not your kids. I’m not a father yet.. Are you worried about the example it sets? Do you want to be right in the event that he falls? I’m interested in your position.