Honnold is a phenomenon whether you're into climbing or not. The guy is unique. I love that he's taken up alpinism and has gone onto some of the world's most aesthetic peaks in Patagonia and Alaska.
It's funny...I read an article about one of his alpine trips and he thought the guys took some needless risks.
This coming from a free climber. LOL
Lots of people climb free, me included. Free solo is the super dangerous sport that Alex engages in. And in many ways, Alex is right. Alpine climbing is horrendously dangerous thanks to a large number of issues that Honnold doesn't really face when he's soloing some big route. He often climbs it a bunch of times belayed before soloing it. He waits for a perfect weather day. The big rock routes usually don't have avalanche risk and they're typically located at lower elevations. The reality too is that alpinists often are soloing thanks to poor protection, and they have to just take it as they get it. No "previewing" the route. In many ways, it's a much more complex game, something Alex isn't accustomed to.
His thing was, IIRC, was "pushing through" exhaustion...just for the sake of it (like not doing so to beat the weather or something serious).
And I tend to agree...once you're exhausted...you're exhausted. Things won't get better. It's especially dangerous in climbing it seems.
I think this applies to any sport though. Exhausted mentally or physically and bad things happen. But worse things happen when you're on a mountain IMO.
He seem to lament the slow pace too a bit...understandable given his speed climbs. But other times he liked it.
