UKC

Alex Honnald has soloed Moonlight Buttress, Zion National Park.
http://www.alpinist.com/doc/web08s/newswire-alex-honnold-solo-moonlight
This has received little publicity, in contrast to many modern climbing spectaculars.

Moonlight Buttress is a classic grade V, 1200’ long, with many teams aiding the route over two days. It was first climbed in ’71 by Jeff Lowe and had its first free ascent in ’92 from Canadian Peter Croft and ex-pat Brit. Jonny Woodward. The meat of the free version is in final four pitches: three of 12a/b (solid E5) and one 12d (F7c or solid E6). This picture gives an idea of their situation:
http://www.alpinist.com/doc/ALP17/climbing-notes-wilder

In 2007, Honnald became only the third person to have soloed Yosemite’s Astroman. He also made free ascents of The Salathe wall and a one-day free ascent of Freerider, it’s easier variation.

In reply to duncan:

People on the SuperTopo forum were initially sceptical because the reported solo was dated April 1st ...

A jaw-dropping achievement.

In reply to duncan:

Armchair climbers <holds own hand up> will want to know that this is the token trad route featured on the Chris Sharma "King Lines" DVD.

In reply to tobyfk:

Also repeated, not sure if flashed, by Dave Birkett last autumn. I'll find out.

In reply to duncan: Honnold must be a strong contender for the first El Cap solo? He seems pretty much unstoppable on the trad, he had a pretty good trip to Indian Creek too: http://www.climbing.com/news/hotflashes/honnold_fires_two_desert-crack_test...

In reply to duncan:
Wow.

In reply to duncan:

"...I turned on my iPod at the beginning, played my Top 25, rocked that to the top, and had a couple songs to spare"

Jesus!

In reply to duncan:

Wow that is so impressive - fantastic that these test pieces are getting soloed.

Very inspirational, and on such another level it blows my mind.