Ropelessly devoted to you.
Theres an old adage in mountaineering that youre in the most danger when you start to feel safe.
A good friend of mine decked on something comfortably within his grade early on in his climbing career.
When I asked him what went wrong, he told me bluntly: I didnt respect the route.
Honnold has formed a pact with the natural world.
As my first time in a VR headset it was compellingly strange, but I adjusted pretty fast.
Honnold is endearingly bad at this.
In her defense, everyone seems pretty fake next to Alex Honnold.
Hes the realest son of a bitch alive.
He is a beautiful climber.
His moves are precise and well-considered, mesmerizingly efficient, and almost totally relaxed.
During his roped test run up the Muro Giallo he expresses some worry about breakable rock.
Later during the solo, we see him press up from a slopey ledge.
Its a small but telling moment.
Between whats dangerous and whats difficult, Honnold has the skills to choose the safe path every time.
If youve never heard of the Dru google it.
Feast your eyes on that thing.
Now imagine what its like to stand right below the north face in shorts and rubber shoes.
Honnold eventually has to bail out before the final leg of his ascent.
If youve got even a touch of vertigo, you should probably avoid The Soloist VR like the plague.
But I think this film made me a little braver.
Maybe itll help you too.
