Quite frankly, I'm obsessed with Alex as both a climber and human. I'd estimate about 80% of the visual content I've consumed since my first time watching Free Solo has been about Alex or rock climbing in general. I also ended up reading his book, with the updated version including chapters leading up to and climbing El Cap. The book gave me a better understanding of Alex as a "normal" human, such as what he wants in a relationship and his pursuit of girls (it goes into detail in his meeting of and initial "courting" of Sanni).

It's not hyperbole when people say the free solo climb of El Cap was both one of the biggest physical and mental achievements in human history, and yet every interview with him about it he passes it off as no big deal, but not in a cocky, passive way, but in a genuine "please don't make a big deal out of this, there are more important things in life" way. Like, this dude risks his life for 4 hours, does the most impressive climb in human history, and all he can say to his gf walking down the wall is that he's "delighted."

Also, I couldn't help but respect how real this dude is when it comes to priorities and what he values. The scene in the front of the van where Sanni was asking him what it would take for him to put other people in his decision making regarding these free solo climbs and he's like "Are you asking me if I would stop for you, where we are, right now? The answer is no" had me dying. It seemed like every step of the way she was there to be like "you don't have to do this" and he'd just be like "I know, but I like really want to".

He mentioned in some interview (I think his most recent Joe Rogan pod appearance) that most free solo deaths occur not on extreme, bar raising climbs, but on the easier routes, mostly due to the frequency of these kinds of climbs compared to the former, but I can't help but think a lot of falls are the result of taking it too easy and slipping on something cause you weren't 110% engaged. While I trust in his abilities, it sucks to feel that there's a really high chance I'm gonna log onto Twitter one day and see the news that he took his last climb.

Beyond Alex, beautiful documentary and makes me even madder that Yosemite was on fire when I stopped by on my road trip last summer. I'm definitely heading there sometime in the next 6 months for a proper trip.

Also, low key MVP is the camera man Mike at the base of the wall who can't even watch. That dude is ALL OF US. Fuck it, shout out to ALL those guys who had to film their friend risking their life and keeping it all together. The amount of relief all those guys must have felt that night is immeasurable.