Rating: Good
Alone on the wall blurb excerpt: Alone on the Wall recounts the most astonishing achievements of Honnold's extraordinary life and career, brimming with lessons on living fearlessly, taking risks, and maintaining focus even in the face of extreme danger. Now Honnold tells, for the first time and in his own words, the story of his 3 hours and 56 minutes on the sheer face of El Cap, which Outside called "the moon landing of free soloing, a generation-defining climb. Bad ass and beyond words one of the pinnacle sporting moments of all time."
My opinion:
Alone on the wall is a captivating account of a climber pushing the limits of what is possible, both physically and mentally. It provides an in-depth look at the unique mindset and approach that have made Alex Honnold one of the greatest climbers of all time.
This book is a must-read for climbing enthusiasts and anyone interested in the limits of human potential and the pursuit of excellence. It breaks down the technicalities and terminology of climbing helping you to understand clearly the grading and insanity of some of Honnolds climbs. It's also a captivating story about a person following their dreams.
Lessons from Alone on the Wall
Alone on the wall highlights Honnold's unique approach to climbing and his pursuit of climbing the most difficult routes without the use of ropes or safety gear. Here are some key takeaways from the book:
Mental toughness: Honnold is known for his intense focus and mental toughness, which has helped him tackle some of the most challenging climbing routes in the world. The book explores how he trains his mind to overcome fear and stay calm in high-pressure situations. He reaffirms the notion that in life our mindset and perspective is often the only thing stopping us from achieving a goal.
Risk and reward: Honnold's willingness to take risks has set him apart from other climbers. The book provides insight into his thought process and the philosophy behind his approach to risk.
The importance of preparation: Honnold's success as a free soloist is largely due to his extensive preparation. The book details his rigorous training regime, which includes extensive practice on routes and a thorough analysis of each climb.
The value of simplicity: Honnold's climbing style is characterised by its simplicity and efficiency.
The role of community: Despite his reputation as a lone wolf, Honnold recognises the importance of community in the climbing world.
Pursuing your passion: Honnold's unwavering commitment to climbing is evident throughout the book. He pursued his passion despite the risks and the sacrifices it required. The book reminds us that pursuing our passions can bring fulfillment and meaning to our lives. It can also be self-sustaining if you align yourself with the right people and organisations.
Everything has a price: Even though Honnold acknowledges how lucky he is to be able to climb, he paints a pretty realistic picture of what it costs to pursue his passion. He lives simplistically, relies on the public internet, lost relationships, endured serious injuries, and was burdened by the media aspect. The pursuit of climbing certainly had its own costs.
Alone on the Wall Quotes:
“I've done a lot of thinking about fear. For me, the crucial question is not how to climb without fear-that's impossible- but how to deal with it when it creeps into your nerve endings.”
"Sometimes you find yourself in positions where falling would mean death. So you don’t fall."
“From my adventures in the subculture of addiction recovery, I’d learned that the trajectory of one’s life often boils down to a few identifiable moments—decisions that change everything. I knew all too well that moments like these were not to be squandered. Rather, they were to be respected and seized at all costs, for they just didn’t come around that often, if ever. Even if you experienced only one powerful moment like this one, you were lucky."
“Doubt is the biggest danger in soloing. As soon as you hesitate, you’re screwed.”
“I think it’s important that you do your own research, take personal responsibility for your decisions, experiment, and find what works best for you.”
“My comfort zone is like a little bubble around me, and I’ve pushed it in different directions and made it bigger and bigger until these objectives that seemed totally crazy eventually fall within the realm of the possible”.
What Next:
If you enjoyed this read, you may want to check out Beyond Possible
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