Soloing vs free climbing. Climbing is permeating the culture at the moment.
Soloing vs free climbing. 7) with a friend (with a rope) and we let someone who was soloing pass us. May 19, 2022 · What is free climbing vs free soloing? In free soloing, you definitely use your own strength to climb the wall, but with the added excitement of using no ropes or protective gear (Image credit: Johannes Kroemer) Oct 3, 2023 · Learn about the exhilarating world of free climbing and free soloing. Climbing without ropes is like a walk in the park for Alex. Sep 4, 2020 · Alex Honnold climbing 3,000 foot up El Cap without a rope in “Free Solo” caught the world’s attention. free soloing: same as free climbing minus any and all protection. [1] Free soloing is the most dangerous form of climbing, and, unlike bouldering, free soloists climb above safe heights, where a fall can be fatal. Sep 21, 2023 · Check out some of the world's most legendary, frightening, and ground-breaking free solos of all time. If you’re thinking about trying rock climbing, you need to learn the difference between free climbing vs free soloing. Mar 4, 2022 · Anyone can free solo, but free soloing is a perilous climbing approach. The thing is, climbers have been climbing ropeless for a long time. You could go even further down the rabbit hole with 'Free Rope Soloing' but most people tend to assume that the rope solo ascent Therefore bouldering, sport climbing, free-solo climbing, highballing and trad climbing are all types of free climbing. Nov 10, 2023 · Free soloing or free climbing? Don't get these two mixed up the next time you're heading to the climbing gym and forget to tie in! Oct 16, 2023 · Free Climbing vs Free Solo: What’s The Difference? Rock climbing, with its myriad styles and techniques, offers climbers a range of experiences, each with its own set of challenges and rewards. In this realm, a select few climbers have pushed the boundaries of what's possible, achieving ascents that leave us mere mortals in awe. Definition of free climbing and free climb ascents. Oct 2, 2025 · If you’re new to climbing, Honnold is one of the most accomplished trad climbers ever, with dozens of awe-inspiring free-solos, alpine first ascents, and hard trad climbs. Apr 30, 2023 · Free soloing gets a bad rap in many parts of our world, but it is mostly misunderstood. He and author of 9 books and viewed as an expert in big walling, soloing, and climbing techniques, having climbed El Cap over 40 times and climbed on all seven continents. If rope is removed from the picture then, I'm free soloing. Using only climbing shoes and magnesium, free soloing is the purest and most dangerous way to climb. [5][6] Jun 1, 2021 · We’ll discuss whether rock climbing solo is safe or not, some common solo climbing activities, and how to find climbing partners. Climbing at any height while unattached to gear or equipment can result in severe injury and death. It requires minimal equipment compared to other types of climbing—until you consider you need a boat to access most climbing routes. We use the term free climbing to differentiate from using the gear to actually help you get up the wall – normally called aid climbing. Aid Soloing, Rope Soloing, Daisy Soloing and Free Soloing. Though many climbers have free soloed climbing grades they are very comfortable on, only a tiny group free solo regularly, and at grades closer to the limit of their abilities. If an individual falls in this situation, survival is highly unlikely. Plan your next adventure with Expedreview, connecting you to top guides like Furtenbach Adventures, SummitClimb, and CTSS. Obviously free soloing is the most dangerous type of climbing that there is. This is a basic guide to how it works and some of the gear you can use. comContent blocked Please turn off your ad blocker. Deep Water Soloing Deep water soloing is another form of ropeless climbing, like bouldering, but is performed over a body of water deep enough to safely break a fall. Here's a beginner guide to the terminologies, definitions and key differences. Jul 3, 2021 · In September of 2018, I completed my first climb and free-solo of the Grand Teton via the Owen-Spalding Route. Free soloing usually means climbing something that is commonly considered worthy of a fifth class rating. So Did John Bachar, James Lucas, and Ben Heason. Free soloing or free solo climbing is a type of rock or ice climbing where climbers, or more commonly known as free soloists, climb alone without using safety equipment such as ropes, harnesses, helmets, and the like. Unlike traditional free climbing, which uses ropes and anchors for safety, free solo Nov 16, 2023 · Free soloing is the most dangerous discipline in climbing. Free soloing and soloing are distinct climbing styles. Nov 15, 2023 · This is the exhilarating world of free solo climbing, where the stakes are as high as the peaks themselves. ⚠️ Disclaimer: Free solo climbing is extremely dangerous and "Free soloing" is just a version of free climbing where the climber is not using any gear, like a rope, to protect themselves if they were to fall. Jul 10, 2021 · So in exploring free climbing vs. Redpoint Rope Soloing Revised A proven method for lead rope soloing near your free climbing limit October 2023 Additional credit to Derek Averill, a collaborator for many of these refinements Free Solo is the story of the people’s movement to “Free Han Solo” from the ice block or whatever it was. It takes more effort, is more time consuming See relevant content for climbingport. free climbing: using only your body and the rock's natural features to climb, while having ropes as backup in a fall. The definition of free soloing according to Merriam-Webster is: a climb in which a climber uses no artificial aids for support and has no rope or other safety equipment for protection in case of a fall. Both trad and sport climbing fall under the category of free climbing, which seems confusing. We discuss rope soloing here. With his calm demeanor and laser-focused concentration, Honnold has pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in free solo climbing. [2] Free soloing is the most dramatic soloing-technique and in 2017 became an Oscar-winning documentary Oct 27, 2021 · Free Climbing vs. ” Alex Honnold free soloing Cosmic Debris (5. you could make it much simpler. 4 climb, but others may require a higher rating Free Soloing Often confused with free climbing, (which is simply climbing without the use of direct aid, but with a rope) free soloing is the art of climbing a route without a rope. Immerse yourself in the experience of free solo climbing Yosemite’s famous El Capitan alongside Alex Honnold in this breathtaking 360 video. Yes Free climbing can also be performed as bouldering or as free solo climbing (no climbing protection whatsoever). Here's the story of what at the time was my most monumental and perspective shifting experience in these great mountains. Apr 9, 2015 · What re the differences between these 4 styles of rock climbing? Bouldering Aid Climbing Free Climbing Free solo climbing Learn more on How to Boulder. The controversy over free soloing has been around since it’s beginnings – but it’s hard not to be captivated by the unique style of climbing Free Soloing is the act of climbing without any rope, harness, or safety equipment. We ment Oct 3, 2018 · The climber is the first person to reach the top of Yosemite’s 3,000-foot El Capitan wall without ropes. I hike, then scramble, then rope assisted scramble, then after that it's climbing with rope. Free climbing is the opposite of aid climbing. Free indicating that you are free climbing i. Let's take a look at some of the greatest feats achieved in the sport of free solo climbing by some of the best Roped soloing can refer to any of a variety of ways a climber can use a rope for protection without another person acting as belayer. James Lucas dives into the story (and backstory) of Honnold's path to Freerider. What Does It Mean To Free Climb Something? To free climb a route means you climbed the entire thing using your skills and strength – only using the gear to stop a fall. Sep 22, 2021 · Climbing without ropes or a harness is not madness. Nov 7, 2022 · Free Climb vs Free Solo Definition and Distinctions Free climbing and free soloing are two distinct forms of rock climbing that require different levels of , , and . Aug 27, 2025 · “What is free climbing?” That was a question on my friend’s mind when she was at the rock climbing gym for her first time. Sep 15, 2020 · The Dawn Wall vs Free Solo. Sport and trad are examples of free climbing because, despite the use of items like bolts, quickdraws, nuts, hexes and cams, these devices are used to protect against a fall, rather than to assist upward progress. Oct 9, 2020 · Learn the difference is between scrambling, bouldering, and free climbing, and the difference between free climbing and free soloing. NPS is investigating. Only a few are capable of it. aid climbing: using ropes and gear to pull yourself up the mountain. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. I had a moment of realization as I saw him and thought to myself "I Aug 29, 2022 · Alex honnold and Adam ondra show the differences between free soloing and free climbing on El Capitan As a pioneer of “free solo” climbing—a controversial discipline in which cliff faces are scaled without safety ropes and failure results in death—Honnold, 35, knows how to perform under So "free solo" means protected unaided climbing with no belayer, right? Wrong, that would be "roped solo". Oct 1, 2025 · ‘Free Solo’ Climber Announces His Next Daring Feat—and It’s Streaming Live on Netflix Alex Honnold has never met a skyscraper he didn’t want to climb. You don't have to free solo to climb alone. 13a, the first-ever big wall free solo ascent at that grade), [3] a climb described in The New Sep 21, 2017 · And John Bachar, with Peter Croft perhaps the name most associated with free soloing in the 1980s and ‘90s, fell to his death in 2009 while climbing unroped at the Dike Wall near Mammoth, California, the exact cause of his fall unknown. In reality, they each have distinct meanings that are oftentimes vastly different from each other. Jun 4, 2022 · The term free soloing is usually applied to steep and technical rock climbing done with only hands and feet, with the sole equipment being climbing shoes and chalk bag, but the word solo also applies to ice climbs and routes done ropeless in the Alps and Greater Ranges. The Dawn Wall vs Free Solo Now let’s dissect the key differences between The Dawn Wall and Free Solo, which are both masterpieces in their own right but divergent in many aspects. Oct 23, 2017 · Discover the most legendary free solo climbs of all time, showcasing incredible feats of courage and skill in the world of climbing. In free soloing, you climb without any ropes or protective gear, relying solely on your skills and mental fortitude. What's the difference? Free solo climbing (sometimes also just called soloing) [2] is where the solo-climber uses no climbing protection (or any form of climbing aids), whatsoever, except for their climbing shoes and climbing chalk (for a rock-climber) or ice tools (for an ice-climber), to ascend a climbing route. Free Solo is a 2018 American documentary film directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin [4] that profiles rock climber Alex Honnold on his quest to perform the first-ever free solo climb of a route on El Capitan, in Yosemite National Park in California, in June 2017. Apr 16, 2022 · The Dawn Wall vs. It is a common misconception that these terms all refer to the same thing. Understand the five classes of terrain and the different techniques and styles mountaineers, rock climbers, and alpinists use to travel, explore, and play among them. Nov 2, 2022 · Free Climbing vs. (Mikey Schaefer Jun 29, 2022 · In reply to Trangia: It's to define between the different types of route climbing that you do on your own e. Oct 16, 2023 · Free Climbing vs Free Solo: What’s The Difference? Rock climbing, with its myriad styles and techniques, offers climbers a range of experiences, each with its own set of challenges and rewards. Free Solo Although it's often confused with free climbing by non-climbers, free solo climbing is a discipline where climbers climb without any protective gear, like a rope. Academy award-winning films, medals in the Olympics, and indoor gyms popping up in every town in the country. Alex honnold and Adam ondra show the differences between free soloing and free climbing on El Capitan 6 days ago · It's been several years since renown free-solo climber Alex Honnold became a national sensation in the hit documentary Free Solo. And what about protected free climbing with no belayer allowing the use of aid techniques? Roped aid solo? It's absurd. Free climbing is sometimes misunderstood as relating only to the formats of free-solo climbing or of solo climbing, which is not correct. sport climbing, we discover that sport climbing is simply one form of free climbing. It holds a 97% “Fresh” score on film review site Rotten Tomatoes, which states that the film “depicts athletic feats that many viewers will find beyond reason – and grounds the attempts in passions that are all but universal. The Dawn Wall is a famous advertisement from the late-60s “mad men” era of advertising where dawn detergent is used to clean up an adorable kitchen mess involving, you guessed it, a messy wall. Contact him if you want to help add ideas, images or links to other resources you found helpful. Rope-solo climbing or rope-soloing (or self-belaying) is a form of solo climbing (i. For some people free soloing might be a long 5. Luke Strier is the main author of this project. It can be pretty confusing, especially starting out, to understand the difference between sport climbing, free climbing, free soloing, trad climbing, top roping, bouldering, deep water soloing, and all of the other variations of rock climbing. It is imp Alex Honnold (born August 17, 1985) is an American rock climber best known for his free solo ascents of big walls. Mar 1, 2022 · To date, Free Solo is considered among the best climbing films of all time. Longer video here: https://youtu. This picture and the title are a bit misleading. So, free soloing is free climbing, but free climbing is not free soloing. Discover the most legendary free solo climbers who made history like Netflix is climbing to new heights –– literally. Free soloing means to climb with no rope to catch you if you fall. TL;DR Ondra isn’t free soloing here, he’s free climbing. Understanding the definitions and distinctions between these two climbing styles is crucial for climbers and enthusiasts. Free solo climbing (climbing without ropes or any other safety equipment) has struck awe in onlookers around the world, with climbers like Alex Honnold darin Just watched the dawn wall and really enjoyed it, I am wondering what some experts or experienced climbers here think the chances are of someone free soloing the same route up "the dawn wall" Jan 12, 2024 · Free climbing, distinct from free soloing (discussed separately), involves climbing without aid while utilising gear for protection. According to a UK study UK, you have more chances dying running or playing tennis while dying rock climbing. be/r Mar 22, 2024 · Honnold's free solo of El Cap didn't occur in a bubble. Free Solo Although it’s often confused with free climbing by non-climbers, free solo climbing is a discipline where climbers climb without any protective gear, like a rope. Aug 11, 2022 · Free soloing is a form of free climbing but they are not to be mixed up. The main thing is that Mar 30, 2024 · The Numbers: Free Solo Death Rates Let’s start with some cold hard numbers to get an idea of how much free solo contributes to solo climbing deaths and accidents. Nov 11, 2023 · Which movie is better, The Dawn Wall Vs Free Solo? Join me as I dig deep into epic tales of two legendary climbs: The Dawn Wall & Free Solo. Since watching The Dawn Wall film and reading about the climb and some of the interviews from Tommy, Kevin, Alex Honnold, Beth Rodden, and other involved with the first ascent I’ve got a few questions about free climbing vs aid and what constitutes a first free ascent. This drone shot captures his epic climb. Two of rock climbing’s most awaited and critically acclaimed movies of all time. For his next feat, he's going to attempt a new challenge in the Free solo climbing, or free soloing, is a form of rock climbing where the climber (or free soloist) climbs solo (or alone) without ropes or other protective equipment, using only their climbing shoes and their climbing chalk. [2] May 7, 2025 · Whether you’re a climbing aficionado or a newbie, Free Solo challenges you to confront this dilemma, making for an unforgettable cinematic experience. Using just their hands and feet in some sticky-rubber Generally speaking when free soloing the climbing is easy enough or rehearsed enough that you're 2-3 relatively majore screwups away from taking a digger. The show — appropriately called Skyscraper Live —will premiere in early 2026. The difference between free soloing and free climbing is very simple: while most free climbers are attached to a rope to protect them in case of a fall, a free soloist climbs without any type of protection. The bolts/draws/ropes he’s using have either been edited out or are hard to spot. It's extremely dangerous and practiced by only a handful of elite climbers. 13b), Yosemite Valley. Free soloing is the most dangerous form of climbing, and, unlike bouldering, free soloists climb above safe heights, where a fall can be fatal. I think Alex Honnolds quotes on the experience of mastery and freedom are the most applicable here. Jul 7, 2023 · *Do not attempt any of the activities shown in this video. What is the difference between free solo climbing vs free climbing. Roped soloing techniques can be employed either on lead or on a top rope, for either free or aid climbing. We’re going to Nov 2, 2023 · His name is synonymous with daring free solo ascents and has become one of the most famous rock climbers in history. g. 13a on El Capitan, the first ever person to free-solo the gigantic Yosemite monolith. Free Soloing Often confused with free climbing, (which is simply climbing without the use of direct aid, but with a rope) free soloing is the art of climbing a route without a rope. Sep 3, 2023 · Many people will use the terms free solo, solo, and free climbing interchangeably. 6 days ago · Balin Miller, famed solo climber, died after rappelling off the end of his rope on El Capitan. Soloing can also mean going alone with a rope, but free soloing means no rope. Free climbing is much safer and includes many climbing styles like Jun 11, 2025 · Free solo climbing is an extreme form of rock climbing where the climber ascends alone, without any ropes, harnesses, or protective gear. Though many climbers So, in short, free soloing is an extremely dangerous sport, one that has led to the untimely deaths of many experienced climbers. performed alone without a climbing partner), but unlike with free solo climbing, which is also performed alone and with no climbing protection whatsoever, the rope-solo climber uses a mechanical self-belay device and rope system, which enables them to use the On the other hand, I think free soloing is pretty stupid. Oct 3, 2022 · In a new book, Jeff Smoot, author of “Hangdog Days,” launches an encyclopedic investigation into free soloing’s history… and why we do it. Jul 5, 2024 · Free soloing is therefore a form of free climbing, along with both sport climbing and trad climbing climbing. Two of the four later died soloing. People are free to do stupid things if they want, but anyone who's doing it should be very conscious of the effect their potential deaths could have on others. Free climbing means you wear a rope to catch you, but you don’t use any artificial means to help you ascend the wall. May 8, 2023 · Free climbing is a commonly mistaken term for free soloing. But he has NOT free soloed anything like this. this all comes up when googling either one, so I don't really see any additional value of the website. I feel the implication is that free soloing is when a rope probably should be used but isn't. Nov 8, 2023 · Discover the unique challenges and techniques of aid climbing and free climbing, and decide which style best fits your goals and abilities. Apr 11, 2021 · That’s called free soloing. Jul 13, 2016 · A frequently asked question among humans who are unfamiliar (or new) to climbing, might be: “What’s the difference between “free climbing” and “free soloing?” Free solo climbing is a special form of free climbing but is different from the main forms of free climbing — sport climbing and traditional climbing — that use climbing protection for safety. e. not weighting any gear or using fixed ropes etc. Free solo climber Matt Bush hangs from a cliff edge in Cape Town, South Africa. Dec 19, 2024 · Discover what "solo climbing" truly means in high-altitude mountaineering. It can be hard to find someone to go climbing with. Generally the determining factor between a highball boulder or a free solo is simply the accepted norm for the climb. Explore its challenges, risks, and misconceptions while learning how legendary climbers have redefined solo ascents. He is an enthusiast rope soloist but is not an expert or certified instructor. Subscribe: http Free soloing is a highly personal thing. The fall was livestreamed. What exactly is free solo climbing? In a free solo climb, often called soloing, you’re climbing cliffs without using any climbing equipment, save for your rock shoes and chalk bag. Pretty mad, right? Annually there are around 30 Aug 31, 2025 · This was performed under highly controlled conditions by an experienced climber with extensive training in alpine environments. In climbing, a basic distinction is made between aid climbing and free climbing. . Onsight is widely considered the supreme discipline in free climbing. Oct 22, 2018 · For most of the documentary, the filmmakers do an admirable job of scrutinizing Honnold's plan, which is why it's so jarring when they stop. Over time, humans have pushed the boundaries of achievements in extreme sport. Honnold rose to worldwide fame in June 2017 when he became the first person to free solo a full route on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park (via the 2,900-foot route Freerider at 5. Oct 1, 2025 · Honnold also said that free soloing—climbing a cliff or mountain or, yes, a skyscraper without ropes—is inherently easy for casual audiences to understand. Feb 3, 2022 · With the recent influx of climbing media, jargon like 'soloing' is spilling out into the general public. All this exposure has a lot of people wondering about free climbing vs free soloing. May 13, 2025 · An avid ropeless climber explores the terms scrambling and free soloing, surveying pro climbers and his own experience. Although I do think it shouldn't be publicised; it's something hard to understand and puts genuine risk against our access to wild places Free soloing is climbing workout a rope. If it's got bolts, it's usually climbed with gear, or it is rated using the YDS, then you can be pretty sure that climbing it without a rope is a free solo. It makes people uncomfortable to watch and unfortunately it has gotten a lot of attention lately in popular media. It is considered the purest and most dangerous form of climbing, as a single fall can result in severe injury or death even from relatively low heights such as 20 feet. Adam Ondra HAS free-climbed a route like this on El Cap (I believe this is the Dawn Wall). Free climbing can be divided into several different styles of climbing, which are briefly explained below: Onsight, Flash, Redpoint, Pinkpoint, Clean/Trad, Toprope, Rope Solo, Free Solo and Deep Water Solo. Understand the distinctions between these two challenging forms of rock climbing. What free soloing and free climbing do have in common is that in both cases you are using the rock face to climb, which contrasts with a third style of climbing: aid climbing. Feb 16, 2018 · Soloing can be anything that involves fear of falling and dying (Mt Si, Das Tooth). Free Solo: it's easy to get confused between these two blockbuster climbing documentaries. * It's been long overdue to feature another greatest free solo climbs video, so here it is. Free solo climber Alex Honnold will attempt to scale Taipei 101, the tallest building in Taiwan, in a live two-hour special. Sep 30, 2025 · Alex Honnold, the rock climber known for his daring “free solo” feats of ascending cliffs without the help of any ropes or safety equipment, has set his sights on a new challenge: Taiwan’s Feb 10, 2011 · Andy Kirkpatrick is a world-famous climber and award-winning writer and film maker. Still not convinced? Consider a hypothetical hardo who climbs big walls using aid techniques but doesn't wear a harness. Dive into the thrills, skills, and sheer vertical miles. In 2017, he free-soloed Freerider 5. The bottom line is, free soloing sucks. Jan 19, 2022 · Michael Reardon fell while free soloing and lived. Top rope soloing on small practice crags is not uncommon, but roped soloing on longer climbs is quite unusual. Climbing is permeating the culture at the moment. When it comes to rock climbing as a whole, it is a generally safe sport. I was climbing Olive Oil (5. dczgo boy0r bcaxi fh8o7h bx zvo 46d0m hczhl fppv 5vaqh9