In reply to Robert Durran:
> He gets the attention because he is an amazing climber. He is the real deal, not a package manufactured by the media.
Actually, he only gets the attention because people find out about it.
He tells at least 1 person afterwards, and not like he's sharing a secret. He doesn't keep it secret. It's not personal, it's public. I'm not saying that's wrong, it's up to him.
I would share it too. I shared doing my hardest solo, nothing special, but with this, it would be wrong not to share it . It is an amazing achievement. I'm glad it doesn't inspire me to do anything similar though, or to even get out of bed!
It's unavoidable + kind of bad in a way that there has to be a media outlet for this, but only because it will inspire some people to get on with similar attempts + repeats, possibly just driven by the desire for attention, even if alex isn't.
But no matter how good a climber, there is always a gamble with luck. Some are inspired by the media attention, even on short daring solos. The consequences can be just as deadly. Some get unlucky.
Let's hope he stops now (?) . There's probably a greater challenge out there, i don't know, is there? , maybe for him now, or someone else in the future,... but does he want to go down in history and survive / live on, or would he rather be ok/ happy to die climbing, living + doing what he loves (?) doing? He has to stop somewhere to stay alive, or continue gambling but remain incredibly lucky.
Hopefully giving up altogether (the solos), cos even if chilled out n scaled down an easy short thing could end all.
It's totally his choice, like with anyone who chooses to do a high wire walk.
Post edited at 17:18