Free climbing vs free solo reddit olympics. Climbing is most serially a sport. The home of Climbing on reddit. Aug 11, 2022 · Ever since the award-winning documentary Free Solo brought the sport of climbing into the mainstream, there has been a big confusion between free climbing and free soloing. Seriously - how much does someone belaying you or tying in really take away from the experience of climbing?? Free Solo is the story of the people’s movement to “Free Han Solo” from the ice block or whatever it was. Climbing is permeating the culture at the moment. Why is this? On top of that, the dawn wall is also a trad climb, meaning climbers have to bring much of their own protective up with them and set it themselves. Jul 5, 2024 · What is free soloing? Alex Honnold is the most famous name in free solo climbing (Image credit: JJ Kelly, National Geographic for Disney+) Free soloing is a style of climbing involving no rope and no protection. Locked post. In terms of pure grade difficulty he is far and away eclipsed by a ton of other climbers, including Ondra here, arguably the best in the world. Sports areas 235 votes, 27 comments. You can sport climb indoors or out but trad climbing is basically limited to the outdoors. Free solo is the type of climbing in the video. Oct 27, 2021 · Nevertheless, free soloing is one discipline that has serious consequences should something go wrong. Or did you forget about the existence of trad rated less than 5. All this exposure has a lot of people wondering about free climbing vs free soloing. Not sure why this was downvoted - sport climbing and alpine climbing/solo-ing are not the same and just because you're a strong sport climber doesn't mean you can or should solo 5. (I'm talking about class 5 here. But ultimately, what I found was soloing isn't really compatible with climbing, because a big part of climbing--and particularly the type of climbing I wanted to do--is falling. t. Insane first time gym climber free solos to top of roped wall and brags on Insta about getting yelled at by staff for almost dying Jul 26, 2024 · Relive the moments that went down in history at the 2024 summer Olympics in Paris. See full list on climbingfacts. Heck, I didn't even think about the ethics of free soloing after I heard about John Bachar or other free soloists dying. New comments cannot be posted. Free soloing is a form of free climbing but they are not to be mixed up. For me, the appeal of free solo climbing is not to push my boundaries, conquer fear, and stare death in the face. Bouldering: Athletes climb on 3 Boulder problems. Paris 2024 will be changing this, but for now we have an interesting combo. Personally, both were great however I liked Dawn Wall slightly more. No need for a partner. 8M subscribers in the nextfuckinglevel community. . Access official videos, results, galleries, sport and athletes. I've read the climbing finals clash with the athletics and hockey finals, so finding uninterrupted coverage might be difficult. Links and discussion about the Olympics and Paralympics. After seeing Free Solo, these thoughts were never prompted. Aug 7, 2024 · Matt Samet, a 37-year rock climber and former editor of Climbing Magazine, asks whether and how Olympic Climbing is effecting our culture. 13- crux. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. 14b solo in Margalef, Spain. How on Earth has it become so important? Share Add a Comment Sort by: Best Nov 2, 2022 · Whether you're a first-time climber or a seasoned mountaineer, at some point, you've probably heard the term "free climbing. In terms of climbing grades, Alex Honnold has done some hard free solo's but there are a few climbers who have solo'd harder routes - grade wise. It you want a real climbing documentary, I highly recommend the Dawn Wall film. com After Honnold solo'd Half Dome, I started to notice a lot of misuse of the term "free climbing". 12d/13a might be his hardest?), and in one he mentions Beat Kammerlander, who I'd never heard of (he soloed at least 5. It was in lieu of hearing my friend retell her story of watching the free soloist climbing that recently died falling in Eldo that really got me thinking about that aspect of the sport. r/ freesolo Magnus Midtbø's Onsight Free Soloing Video with Alex Honnold was irresponsible when recorded and irresponsible when published. 2K comments. Jun 4, 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. I love this!! It means they climbed it solo, ie alone with no one else. Soloing can also mean going alone with a rope, but free soloing means no rope. 11 and 5. 4M subscribers in the climbing community. The Olympics have come and gone again, and once again, there was controversy. Things that will make others say "What the F*ck". Apparently, there is a spiritual sequel called "The Alpinist" which features a much less known figure doing even more insane shit. Alex Huber has free soloed 14a. Just goes to show that sport climbing and alpine climbing are wildly different beasts. Why is this discipline with literally ONE STUPID ASS climbing route so important that it has to be in the Olympics and in every major competition? It has nothing to do with the real climbing. If it was a high-profile death (like Honnold) then it could also have implications for public perceptions of the sport of climbing overall, which could impact everything from crag access to Olympic status. So yes, climbing is a sport And while that may be true, I wouldn’t really consider “free soloing” to be it’s own sport, but rather a subclass of regular climbing. There is also aid climbing, in which you use tools to attach to the rock instead of using your hands/feet (such as cams, hooks, etriers). You basically climb every pitch with a rope, and some device to catch your falls down below you. 12 pitches, and has a 5. Sep 3, 2023 · Many people will use the terms free solo, solo, and free climbing interchangeably. And you don't fall when you solo. 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. Oh for sure, there’s loads of better climbing films out there but you can’t deny Free Solo was a huge step into the mainstream for climbing. 11 is the free solo danger crux of the Freerider, then you have to add a danger element on top of the grade of some sort, so the style on the Dawn Wall makes the crutch pitches, what, 5. I free solo mainly to experience routes I would not otherwise do, to move quickly and efficiently over the rock, and for the Aug 9, 2024 · How dangerous is competition climbing? Olympic Sport Climbing isn’t anywhere near as dangerous as, say, climbing an 8,000-meter peak or imitating Alex Honnold on a free solo circuit. ” He writes: We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. 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. But, as Climbing ’s Contributing Editor Owen Clarke noted in a recent piece, “pulling plastic at the highest levels has risks, too. There are many types of climbing one of which is “free soloing”. 80K votes, 6. plenty of actual climbing is low angle and also not bolted. c on the newly minted Olympic sport! Aug 10, 2024 · Climbers will test their strength, flexibility and decision-making in lead, boulder and speed events. I see so many people going out to solo popular routes at very crowded places who will straight up climb down climb right over you instead of waiting on ledges for other climbers to pass. But I see too many inexperienced soloists climbing at their limit or climbing long, challenging routes with no bail ropes. And what about protected free climbing with no belayer allowing the use of aid techniques? Roped aid solo? It's absurd. It just made me realize that free soloing isn't this scary, untouchable thing—you solo routes that are well within your ability, and don't let ego get involved, and it's actually a fantastic way to move over the rock without anything holding you back or dictating your pace. Been meaning to build a website to clarify, so I finally threw one together this morning: When I first started getting into the sport, I was confused about the difference between free climbing and free soloing. 16 equivalent? Sketchy balancy slabs that are hard 5. It is a common misconception that these terms all refer to the same thing. And yes we are scared of falling. Jul 25, 2024 · While the promised “Olympic bump” after the Tokyo Olympics never transpired at my local climbing gym, we welcomed first-timers citing Free Solo by the boatload. But also, if you are free soloing something that you have previously done roped, is well under your max grade, etc, you just get your head together and continue up. Free Solo is a well known doc about a well known figure doing the most insane shit ever. 9? I think most people define free soloing (which is what you're talking about when you say free climbing, free solo is a type of free climbing) as the point where the mat wouldn't really make much difference if you fell in terms of the injuries you'd get. The easiest free route on El Cap is 3,000 feet of free climbing on trad gear, has multiple 5. This is a place to discuss free solo climbing. Free solo is good, but it's only half about climbing and just as much about mental health and relationships. If a 5. The grade does not dictate the danger, it’s the style. Technically "free soloing" just means you're free climbing (without aid gear, but you can still have a rope) and you're soloing. However, most styles of climbing that are considered free climbing do use some sort of protection in case of a fall. Edit: just to clarify, the article describes this as a beginners course, but there seems to be a consensus that it is much more difficult than that. The Olympic discipline is made up of three distinct events, each testing a different skillset on the wall: Boulder involves short climbs on low walls without ropes, testing athletes’ power and problem-solving skills, while lead climbing is an endurance challenge where climbers aim to reach the highest point on a tall wall, clipping Speed Climbing: Athletes climb a standardized wall in a 1 on 1 race format. There's always Eurosport which covers everything but it's a subscription service so non-free. Now everyone wants to free solo speed climb the roof So "free solo" means protected unaided climbing with no belayer, right? Wrong, that would be "roped solo". Free Solo was meant to have more wide-appeal, while Dawn Wall was more of a climber movie, had laughs, and had a more interesting plot-line. The grade isn't the reason he gets his notoriety. Personally, I don't free solo on anything regardless of grade - if I'm going up more than enough to hurt myself reasonably badly, I rope in. 15+ or 5. I only meant the comparison with Mcleod's solo as a different way of looking at difficulty. We’re going to Stream live coverage of major sporting events, watch replays, original series and films on Olympic Channel TV, and get the latest sports videos on demand. If you are using it to move up the wall, that type of climbing is referred to as aid-climbing. I believe the documentary of Alex Honnold, Free Solo, is what made a big move for the climbing community honestly. 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. ) That said, people have the right to do their own thing. 0:00 The Accusations0:44 Men's Controversy4:03 Ai Mori Controversy9:22 Brooke R rope solo: climbing alone, protecting your progress with a rope. Alex's hardest free solo is at the grade of 13a iirc. Plenty of reasons to not just blindly trust that a scramble labeled class 4 will be easy peasy not a free solo Also like…. 25K votes, 1. Has anyone publicized a free solo which is a technically I have to say, I didn't interpret 'pure rock climbing' as meaning free soloing- I would have thought it was ruling out big mountain ascents. In other words, free climbing would use ropes and bolts to stay safe in the case of a fall, but you can’t ascend the rope to skip a section of climbing, or stand on a bolt to rest. 12+/5. The protection can’t aid you in your progression up the wall. The "Free" part of "Free Solo" means free climbing, which is when someone uses only their hands and feet to climb. 7K votes, 401 comments. You don't even permit the possibility of a fall to enter into your mind. Magnus Midtbø's Onsight Free Soloing Video with Alex Honnold was irresponsible when recorded and irresponsible when published. It’s an easier, more accessible, and cheaper way to rock climb. Insane first time gym climber free solos to top of roped wall and brags on Insta about getting yelled at by staff for almost dying 247 votes, 41 comments. 109 votes, 42 comments. I consistently climb 5. " I've seen free solo climbers (Alex Honnold included) carry bail gear with them. 4 alpine routes. : r/climbing     Go to climbing r/climbing r/climbing We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Academy award-winning films, medals in the Olympics, and indoor gyms popping up in every town in the country. 8. This isn’t done in climbing competitions and so isn’t practiced much by many of the strongest climbers. Yeah they should, but climbing is on the Olympic only as a demonstrative sport (or something like that) and the CIO decided to only reserve one medal for this discipline. Lead Climbing: Athletes climb a lead climbing wall, which Alex Honnold climbing a V7 boulder problem ~1500 feet / ~500 meters above ground, after already climbing for two hours r/freesolo:Forget ropes, harnesses, gear. 8 and under. The climbing footage in Free Solo was more epic, but as an overall film, I agree with you that Dawn Wall was better for the reason you listed. When you're alone on a route the stakes and responsibility and general feeling of seriousness are all much higher. Here, the goal is to get to the so called Zone, and Top of a boulder in as few attempts as possible. It is a shameless monetization and clout grab of a life-or-death situation and should be demonetized, age-restricted, or removed from YouTube. Free solo climbing should not be done by anyone but an experienced climber that’s okay with taking on a sizable amount of risk. 1K comments. 10a, but generally keep it to 5. Down climbing is also a skill that I'm sure they are more comfortable with than most roped climbers. I think past ~6m/7m or so you're basically on a microroute and aren't really bouldering any Sad and completely avoidable death. r/freesolo:Forget ropes, harnesses, gear. Speed climbing is an entirely different sport, and if they’re going to add it to the Olympics then the best speed climbers in the world deserve to showcase their talents. Boulder Problems are typically less than 4,5 meters tall and athletes are protected by mats below the boulders. Hopefully, this article helped clear up some confusion and leaves you more knowledgeable than you were so that next time someone starts to ask if you've seen Free Solo or Olympic speed climbing, you can explain to Jul 13, 2016 · In free climbing, the climber moves up the wall under their own power without using any special gear to help them move upward (excluding climbing shoes). 3M subscribers in the climbing community. Honestly, there's a lot of very specific details involved in I love climbing, but I don't love it so much that I'm willing to give up the entire rest of my life for it. A lot of the arguments against this ridiculous format seem to have a tone of “speed climbing isn’t real climbing” underneath the surface, but your point is a great one. The format combines Lead, Speed, and Bouldering for a Combined set of medals. climbing) • Instagram photos and videos - A recently created instagram page that closely tracks ongoing proceedings for all 3 disciplines and provides concise and clear information regarding a multitude of things such as daily updates during ongoing World Cups, season rankings, OQS info and upcoming Olympics. 1M subscribers in the WTF community. For context: I've been climbing for 7 years, soloing for 3. I wouldn't be that surprised if, were this tested, the actual number was zero (0). What's the hardest free solo ever done? Dean Potter's passing has me looking at a lot of his videos (Heaven 5. 11 trad. edit: Free climbing vs free solo climbing is a big difference Climbing is in the Olympics for the first time in 2020. r/ freesolo We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Title is self explanatory; I haven't found a good way to watch specific events at the Olympics and was wondering if anyone did. Sort by: Best Open comment sort options Best Top New Controversial Old Q&A Add a Comment confidently2unsure • No ropes, all nopes Reply reply [deleted] • Even with rope, all nope Reply reply [deleted] • Rope or no rope, for sure is a nope Reply reply [deleted] • People unfamiliar with climbing often use the term "free climbing" to refer to bouldering and free soloing grouped together (all climbing done without a rope). She was an experienced climber on a beginner’s climbing course, but because she was free *solo climbing, there was always the potential for death. I think that it hit so close Climbing was taking off before it hit the Olympics, saw a big move in popularity around 2012, adding it into the Olympics just added way more publicity into the sport. Climbing is in the Olympics for the first time in 2020. It's not even a circlejerk question. It might involve hard, unroped climbing, like a 'free solo' or it might not. The bolts and lowering anchors can be seen so some people are against them because of the visual impact. 1. It means they climbed it solo, ie alone with no one else. 14? Inside Climbing (@inside. Free soloing refers to a type of climbing where a person scales a club alone, without any equipment. 7. It can also make the climbs feel much more difficult, since you need to be more secure when climbing trad compared to sport and top rope Free Solo (2018) - "Jimmy Chin's Oscar-winning documentary following Alex Honnold's journey to become the first person to ever free solo climb Yosemite's 3,000ft high El Capitan Wall. I found this article on Climbing Narc from 2008, about Dave MacLeod's 5. In many ways, it’s the purest form of climbing. 535K subscribers in the olympics community. You're a superhuman freak if you can do that in two years. 6. I do think Honnold's free solo of Freerider is an incredible accomplishment, but to be honest, I hope that's the end of it. c on the newly minted Olympic sport! Apr 11, 2021 · The hardest climbing routes are all sport because they allow for falling over and over again without much safety concern. The Olympics and Alec Handhold have ruined climbing by merging everything into one. That's it. What if He Falls? The Terrifying Reality Behind Filming “Free Solo” (2018) Share Add a Comment Sort by: Best Open comment sort options Best BlackFire68 • Free climbing means without any gear to aid the climb, so you only use your hands and feet to climb (but you still have safety gear to catch you fall). Post any news, videos, e. Oct 3, 2023 · Rock climbing includes more than free soloing and speed climbing, but differentiating between disciplines can become complicated. 13c/d). If I imagine Magnus climbing this route, with ropes and gears (and maybe helmets too!), and climbing it a hundred (100) times, on how many of those 100 climbs would he fall at all? One (1)? I think even ten (10) is way too high. Has anyone publicized a free solo which is a technically We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. A solo can, but doesn't always, involve ropes for a variety of purposes. Just the climber, a chalk bag, climbing shoes and the crag. Rock climbing is so interesting to watch! I also love that the sport feels like "the climber vs the wall" instead "the climber vs the climber". Still not convinced? Consider a hypothetical hardo who climbs big walls using aid techniques but doesn't wear a harness. I've soloed up to 5. There might be an endurance vs explosiveness sort of difference in how you train though. If it's a boulder, it's bouldering. Up until now it’s been behind a paywall if you wanted to legitimately watch it so thought it was worth mentioning. For those new to sport climbing, here’s a quick breakdown. What my greater point was that, because the sport climbing final score is a product of the individual event scores, it means the number of competitors (20 in qualifying vs 7 in final) naturally influences the final standing. " Now that movies like Free Solo and Dawn Wall have brought climbing into the mainstream, however, it can be hard to know the difference between free climbing and other forms of the sport. Even the parkour routes with big ass dual tex volumes have more resemblance with real rocks. Here's how to watch sport climbing live streams at the Olympics 2024. Also, not many people do free solo climbing, which is probably for the best. Free solo seems so reckless because they aren't doing that. I'm super hype for climbing to debut but after watching other coverage of the games (USA) I have really low expectations for the networks. I wrote the following guide to help people understand the distinction! So, what’s the difference between free climbing and free soloing? Free soloing means to climb with no rope to catch you if you fall. 4 days ago · Since 1970, Climbing Magazine has been the voice of the climbing world, publishing climbing news, interviews, features, opinions, and advice. 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 We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. To be clear, Honnold is the best there is at his particular discipline, free solo climbing. If it's a face, it's free soloing (without a rope). cjxa ztpvg tunj nzon fyanp hfyp cgvrisri lgvwg sibwb dowtrbe