Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Climbing goes Mainstream?

OK, so climbing won't ever be main-stream despite its growth in popularity over the past decade - and free solo action definitely won't make it main-stream but the fact that there is a 60 minutes segment and a recent front page of Nat Geo featuring climbing and specifically this guy, goes to show that there seems to be some level of raised awareness - perhaps? sorta'? kinda'? maybe?

just plain nutty...as in having a set so large that you need a wheelbarrow to carry them around in:


Unless you are a climber, it is difficult to appreciate some of the things this guy is doing.   Scary, impressive...or suicidal?  regardless, talk about some serious mental fortitude to stay focused - to me, his most impressive feat is the free solo in Zion of Moonlight Buttress....that climb was just recently (somewhat recently) freed and for this cat to walk up to it and free solo a 5.13 finger crack when the crux comes up high several hundred feet of the deck....WOW!

2 comments:

  1. Alex can do whatever he chooses with his life. The media and industry should not stage or encourage / glorify these unprotected, certain death activities.

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  2. I am definitely with you on that - the glorification of this kind of pursuit is a slippery slope. To be objective, people like me are part of the problem by posting this stuff too....can't help but get sweaty hands watching this - it sorta' freaks me out

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