Ask Tommy Caldwell // Win a FREE Edelrid Boa Eco 9.8

Tommy,

What's your most favorite moderate crack climb of all time? And what sort of calisthenics do you always do to help keep you in shape?

TC,

I would love to know what you think about when you think 5.16. Is it possible? Does it truly exist somewhere in the world? What does the future hold for the next generation of climbers and aspiring athletes. I honestly cannot think of another person who has pushed the limits of free climbing in the ways you have over the last ten years, there are few who have the knowledge, wisdom, and vision you do in the artistry of route development. So please, enlighten those of us who will never fully grasp the edge of possibility the way you have.

Thanks and cheers,

Kellen

TC,
If you could only rope up with three climbers for the rest of your life, who would they be and why?

With a career focused around a esoteric pasttime, do you ever feel that you could be doing something more important?

This is not to belittle you or your achievements, but do you ever consider changing to a career that adds societal value?

What does it look like to you to have a meaningful impact as a climber?

Hey Tommy,

Had enough questions yet?

If someone climbs 5.16 then where does climbing go from there? It seems hard to believe that routes will get much harder than that and if that's the pinnacle of difficulty then how will professional climbing evolve after the hardest projects are ticked off?

Hey Tommy,

What's your mental game like? How do your manage your ego both on and off the wall? Can you think of any situations in your climbing career where you've had to put yourself in check?

Let's get serious. Bacon or Sausage?

Tommy, We met many years ago at Sitting Bull Falls when you were just a kid. You might remember me, you warmed up on my project and I climbed with your dad that day while you guys cruised some hard shit. Anyways, I noticed that you dont wear Solutions and my questions are #1 why not, don't you want to send 5.16? and #2 how much should one downsize when buying Solutions (in your opinion of course)?

Thanks.

Hey Tommy,

I'm sure youre going to read 100's of these questions but here it goes: you said in a line across the sky, you were pushed beyond the risk you're willing to take on as a father and husband on the upper headwall of fitz roy. I'm curious as to what that exactly means for such an accomplished climber like yourself. I know in the moment that can be a hard thing to judge whether you've pushed it too far, so is that the end of hard alpine climbing for you? Thanks for doing this AMA this is real cool of you.

Alex

If there was no climbing, what would you be doing instead?

Now that you've gained more popularity, what plans might you have in helping climbing grow, but not only that, in a sport that seems to be exploding in popularity, how would you address this? The crowding, the safety, the pollution.

Tommy,

I know this isn't a new question, but I don't think I've heard you answer it before. We live in a world where climate change is a reality. Our sport isn't as obviously dependent on the climate as skiing or ice climbing, but it seems selfish to say, "I'm not worried, the rock will always be there." Also, climbing can be a high impact sport on the environment when you think about it, with manufacturing the gear we use and the clothes we wear, traveling to remote destinations, the impact of more and more people entering the wilderness and alpine world. Anyway, I was wondering how a person without the funds to donate to organizations working to combat climate change can justify the impact of the sport, and what do you think we can to limit that impact?

Thanks for taking the time to do this!

Three questions:

1. There are inherent risks in the sport we love and the consequences of those risks can be high to say the least. There has been a tremendous amount of press recently regarding the dangers of football to its' athletes (specifically from head injury) and many former players have stated that they would never let their children play the sport. The risks in climbing can be as severe or more; do you have any reservations about your son becoming a climber?

2. Do you remember the first place (crag, specific climb, or pitch) where you fell in love with climbing?

3. Any classic aid lines that you are dying to climb free?

Cheers!

-Alex

Hi Tommy,

I was in the Colorado Mountain School (shopping and browsing) in the late 80s when you and your sister ran through the door and grabbed a rope and rack from behind the counter. Without even pausing, you excitedly asked, "Mom, can we climb a 5.8?!!!" You were 12 years old!

My two questions are:

"How old were you when you started climbing at an elite level?" (I guess leading .8 at 12 years old is an elite level!)

"What was the reaction of your classmates as you became a world class climber?"

Hey Tommy,

On the Fitz Traverse who smelled worse you or Alex?

Your son will probably get into climbing. Do you think you'd be scared to take him on trips with you or can you not wait?

Hello Tommy Caldwell.
Having experienced what you've experienced in life up to this point.
With such extreme highs and extreme lows.
Interacting with other human beings from all walks of life from all over the globe.

What is your definition of "Happiness"

Thank you sir...take care.

Hey Tommy,

One thing I've noticed in some of the films I've seen that feature you climbing, is that you seem to have a real humble heart which I greatly respect! Especially in our sport! Anyways, has climbing affected your spirituality? I feel like true humility comes from a deeper sense of spiritual peace, and when you are up on the big walls it can definitely be humbling. Have you ever had an encounter with God when climbing?

Hey Tommy, After watching the Reelrock with you and Honnold climbing the Fitz traverse, your statement that you crossed over your safety threshold has really stuck with me. I'm a relatively new climber and have two young kids at home, so I struggle with the same feeling, even on far less intense terrain. I would like to know how you dealt/deal with those feelings when you end up in those moments climbing? Have you ever retreated from a climb because of them?