ChronoFive
Play today’s puzzle
Setting the scene
Yosemite's El Capitan rises three thousand feet of granite above the Merced River; Alex Honnold had spent years memorizing pitches on Freerider, practicing with ropes before attempting the unthinkable—ascending without protection, where a single slip means death.
What happened
Honnold free-soloed El Capitan on June 3, 2017, climbing 2,900 feet in 3 hours 56 minutes, gripping the Monster Offwidth and Thank God Ledge as cameras from Jimmy Chin's crew documented every move.
Why it still matters
The feat was filmed as Free Solo, winning the 2019 Academy Award for Best Documentary; Honnold's calm demeanor and Honnold Foundation solar philanthropy reframed climbing from daredevil stunt to studied, ethical mastery—while debate continues over inspiring risky imitation.
Background
The feat was filmed as Free Solo.