Epic free climbing

[Big J]

Posting this incase any of you missed it, but truly inspiration grit and determination from these chaps:

 

BBC News - US climbers tell of 'inspirational' El Capitan climb

 

[detritus21]

I would debate if it I free climbing. By definition free climb is to not use ropes. Looks more akin to a long rock climb. Impressive none the less

[Pete Hart]

I would debate if it I free climbing. By definition free climb is to not use ropes. Looks more akin to a long rock climb. Impressive none the less

 

A 'free solo' is climbing without ropes.

'Free climbing' allows the use of gear and rope for back up, but if you fall (or put weight on the gear for that matter) you have to re climb the pitch for it to be a clean 'free climb'.

 

Loads of jargon and terminology in climbing that confuses!

[Loler UK]

quite right Pete, its only us arbs that tend to misuse the term free climbing, solo'ing for short is climbing without protection

[Mr. Squirrel]

Free climbing, no question. Even with a rope it looked dodgy enough thanks. Watched the last few days on the live stream, it was like watching paint dry but completely fascinating at the same time. Amazing achievement.

[NFG]

Hi

 

Been to Yosemite & seen the El Capitan face, amazing achievement & hats off!

 

 

N

[Blandboy]

As Pete said above free climbing uses dynamic ropes for safety. The picture below is me near the bottom of El Cap two years ago. Climbing rock and surrounded by trees. I'd died and gone to heaven!!

[Pete Hart]

As Pete said above free climbing uses dynamic ropes for safety. The picture below is me near the bottom of El Cap two years ago. Climbing rock and surrounded by trees. I'd died and gone to heaven!!

 

That looks epic!! On my bucket list to do for sure!

[Blandboy]

^^^ Pete if you rock climb then Yosemite is a must. I've been lucky enough to go there for the last three years but now I'm a penniless "mature" arb student having quit my job in August.

[RichardS]

Very impressive climbing.

 

That is of course until you see Alex Honnold solo Watkins, El Cap and Half Dome in under 19 hours. I get the impression he would have done the Dawn Face of El cap much quicker. Maybe the challenge has now been set in Honnolds mind? Hopefully so.