5 ms·
I can't remember how or exactly when I came across Alex but it was several years ago. On the one hand I find parts of him highly relatable (eg "learning his lin
by cletus 7y ago
I can't remember how or exactly when I came across Alex but it was several years ago. On the one hand I find parts of him highly relatable (eg "learning his lines" and his aversion to asking others to climb with him) and others not (eg I have zero inclination to climb anything).
I certainly respect how much work and preparation he puts into his climbs.
The question is: how is he different to the Everest glory hounds that I personally find objectionable? These are the people who basically pay $50k to "climb" Everest and largely get carried by the sherpas. Ask an experienced tour operator and, weather depending, they'll tell you they can probably get anyone to the top.
There are some key differences:
1. I honestly think the Everest glory hounds aren't doing it for the experience, for the most part. They're doing it for the bragging rights. It's the next level of Instagram flexing. Like it's the same people who go to Greece and the only thing they do is get a selfie at sunset in Santorini before moving on to the next Instagram stop.
2. Alex is actually doing things that have never been done before and some thought impossible.
You may view what Alex does as unsafe (I mean, I'd never do it) but it really is his life. Where my attitude turns is when someone has children. You see these stories all the time of [amateur climber] pursues life long dream of summitting Everest and dies leaving [wife and 3 small children].
The defenders will say that person is following their dreams and teaching their kids to do the same. Me? It's purely self-indulgent rationalization. If you're a parent, your kids need you more than you need to be the 6000th person to summit Everest.
Alex has a partner. She can make her own choices though. But your kids? They don't get a choice.
- joelbluminator 7y agoHe's different than them in that he's the best in the world in what he does, and also he doesn't put anyone else in danger (Everest climbers put the Sherpas who work for them in danger. They also provide them a great living). But in essence both Honnold and said climbers are just living their dreams; for some it's climbing El Capitan solo and for others it's climbing Everest with 20 Sherpas that help you get there. They're all looking for fame from others, Honnold doesn't shy away from media to say the least. I don't think it's all that different to be honest. Honnold isn't helping to make the world a better place by climbing rocks, I see no reason to treat him as a saint (nor as a villain) based on his sports activities.
- Fezzik 7y agoHe is using his platform and wealth, that he has from climbing rocks, to better the world though: https://www.snewsnet.com/people/alex-honnold-on-public-lands-advocacy https://www.snewsnet.com/people/alex-honnold-on-public-lands.... I can’t really think of a better example of a contemporary person who has lived simply, achieved success at a very young age, and immediately jumped in to an advocacy role. And I think his media presence is drastically different from Everest peak baggers: the media comes to Alex because he is a 1 in 7 billion human being, he does not approach the media in an attempt to brag about an accomplishment. Can you point to anything that indicates he does what he does for “fame from other”? In the dozens of hours of interviews I have watched he never once presents himself this way...
- joelbluminator 7y agoWell his making movies about his climbs, so obviously fame is one of his motivations. The fact that he uses his money for a better world is very good but I'm sure many everest climbers are also doctors, philanthropists etc.
- drewmol 7y agoI think having children probably helps people realize that parents also need their children more than their children need to be the 6000th person to climb everest.
- meheleventyone 7y agoThere’s also the technical difficulty. Summiting Everest is within reach of a lot more people than even climbing the routes Alex does with ropes and protection. What’s objectionable about Everest isn’t so much the risks as the commercialism involved. Free soloing relatively easy routes is also fairly common. Both for the challenge and in the case of easier routes as shortcuts to avoid a long walk around. I think a lot of the anger boils down to limited experience driving peoples risk perception coupled to their own risk tolerance.
- thrav 7y agoThe textbook example of the Alex type who didn't slow down after starting a family: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afDYEtQmC6I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afDYEtQmC6I
- joelrunyon 7y ago> they'll tell you they can probably get anyone to the top. You answered your own question. Alex is not "anyone."
- markandrewj 7y agoClimbers are passionate about what they do, it is a culture and lifestyle. I think something that has made Alex different has been his ability to connect with people that would not normally take an interest in climbing. I have been hearing his name quite a bit this year. I bumped into a group doing Alex Honnold impressions while hiking this year, it me laugh harder then it probably should have.