Alex Honnold, renowned for his daring free solo ascents of El Capitan and Half Dome, remains a prominent figure in rock climbing. But does he still free solo? The short answer is yes, but with a significant shift in approach. This article explores Honnold’s evolving climbing style, the factors influencing his decisions, and what he’s focused on now.
Alex Honnold on Half Dome. Photo by Jimmy Chin.
Honnold’s Shift Away from High-Risk Free Soloing
While Honnold hasn’t completely abandoned free soloing, he’s adopted a more cautious approach. The birth of his daughter in 2022 and the subsequent growth of his family have significantly impacted his risk assessment. He acknowledges a shift in priorities, emphasizing his desire to be present for his family.
Honnold with his family. Image from @sannimccandless.
Current Climbing Pursuits: Endurance and Sport Climbing
Honnold’s recent projects highlight this change. Instead of monumental free solos, he’s embraced endurance-based challenges, as seen in Reel Rock films like Cuddle and The Hurt. These ventures still involve free soloing, but the routes are less technically demanding and the overall risk is lower.
Honnold and Tommy Caldwell on “Cuddle”.
Beyond endurance challenges, Honnold has shown increased dedication to sport climbing. Previously considered a training tool for free soloing, sport climbing now allows him to engage in lower-commitment projects that minimize time away from family.
Responsibility and Fatherhood: A New Perspective
Honnold’s past perspective on responsibility, particularly regarding free soloing, was intensely personal. He prioritized his own acceptance of risk above all else. However, fatherhood has brought a notable change. He now balances his passion for climbing with the responsibility of raising a family.
Honnold and his wife, Sanni McCandless. Photo from @sannimccandless.
The Future of Honnold’s Climbing
While the days of audacious free solos like Freerider may be behind him, Honnold remains an active and evolving climber. He continues to push his limits within a redefined framework that prioritizes both passion and responsibility. With another child on the way, it’s likely his focus will remain on less risky, but still challenging, climbing endeavors.
Alex Honnold continues to climb.
Honnold’s journey reflects a broader conversation within the climbing community about risk, responsibility, and the evolving priorities that come with life’s changes. It’s clear that while he may free solo less frequently, his contributions to the sport are far from over.
