Honnold Solos The Phoenix - Yosemite

by Jack Geldard & Bjorn Pohl Jun/2011
This news story has been read 12,481 times

American climber Alex Honnold, known for his bold solo ascents and hard trad climbs, has soloed The Phoenix (5.13a) - a famous crack in Yosemite National Park, first climbed by Ray Jardine in 1977.

Close this photo
+Sean Leary and Alex Honnold in Yosemite, 113 kb
Sean Leary and Alex Honnold in Yosemite
UKC News, Jul 2010
© Tom Evans - El Cap Report

+The crux pitch of The Chouinard-Herbert, 71 kb
The crux pitch of The Chouinard-Herbert
Björn Pohl - UKC, Jun 2011
© The Mountain project Recently Honnold spent time at The Jailhouse crag outside San Francisco, where he got into shape by doing a couple of 8c sport routes.

The day after his solo of The Phoenix, Alex went on to solo the Chouinard-Herbert Route, a 15 pitch 5.11c on the Sentinel Rock.

Alex commented to UKC:

"It's been a crazy few days and I'm really tired right now. I've been filming with 60 Minutes for a profile they want to air in the Fall. I don't know if that's even a program in the UK, but it's a big news thing here I guess.

The CH was something for them, the Phoenix was something for me... I'm happy with both routes, though they were vastly different experiences."

Alex Honnold is sponsored by: The North Face, La Sportiva, Black Diamond, New England Ropes, Clifbar

* Forums ( Read More... | 48 comments, 20 Jun 2011 )
Fb Share this story on Facebook
* This news story has been read 12,481 times
Return to News from June 2011