Alone on the Wall

Issue: Have you seen any compelling videos lately?

Short Answer: I'm glad you asked...

Reasoning: Let me say this: I know virtually nothing about rock climbing.  I have never done it, and I pretty much guarantee that I never will.  It seems like an unnecessary risk, and I am not very good at taking those.  I will never skydive, I will never bungee jump, I will never base jump...you get the idea.  If I have a fairly good chance to die while doing it, chances are, I won't do it.  There are too many other easy ways to die.

Here is what I do know about rock climbing: someone that weighs over 200 pounds (i.e., me) cannot be good at it; it requires patience, strength, endurance, and balls of steel; it is a rather safe adrenaline rush, as there are always ropes and other safety measures in place if a climber should fall.  Well, that last part may not be all the way true.  "Free soloing" is a term used when rock climbers climb walls with no safety harnesses at all.  Just a man (or a woman) and a rock.  Now, some of you may be thinking, no big deal, it's only a rock.  Well, it's strange that people inside the sport use the term "rock" even when the rock they are talking about, happens to be a mountain.  So, there are people who climb mountains with no safety harness?  I wouldn't say "people" per se, but perhaps, "person".

Alex Hannold is the craziest person I have ever heard of.  What shocks me the most about him is how intelligent he seems to be.  When I heard the term "free soloing" I expected a guy with an unshaven face and tattoos, who had energy drinks for breakfast and beer (or whiskey) for dinner.  I expected a guy with a death wish; a guy who would say he would rather die doing what he loved, than live without it at all.  Alex Hannold has none of these qualities.  He looks like a kid.  He dropped out of college to follow his love, but my guess is that he is smarter than most people.  He doesn't have a death wish, but he also doesn't think he will ever die doing what he does, because he is so good at it.  He comes across as a guy who has it all figured out.  But, what he actually does, is miles beyond amazing.  I have no problem posting a 13 minute video (taken from "60 Minutes"), because I know once you press play, you won't be able to turn it off.  To watch Alex in action, is to watch someone walk a death defying tightrope, with no safety net below.  Times a million.  One false move, and that's it.  No second chances when you are free soloing.  I'm telling you, just watching the video made me nervous, but Alex Hannold never seems nervous.  Click on the video only when you have 13 minutes to spare.  And some dramamine handy.  This is by far some of the most compelling video I have EVER seen.  Cick with caution, if you are scared of heights...