I think we've covered this subject (or this same guy) before—my brain must be blocking the memory—but here's an interesting "60 Minutes" behind-the-scenes video in which producer Jeff Newton explains how to videograph a guy who is famous for solo freeclimbing on sheer rock faces.
Sent to us by friend and TOP supporter Michael Tapes, of RawWorkflow and Michael Tapes Design. If professional photography is problem-solving, this assignment was definitely one thorny problem.
At one point, Jeff Newton mentions that it makes some peoples' hands sweaty to watch this stuff, and...sure enough. I find this Honnold character's antics almost physically painful to contemplate. The only good thing about it is that I could never find myself in the positions he puts himself in, because I'd be paralyzed by fear twenty feet off the ground.
From CBS News.
Mike
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Featured Comment by Mark Mefford: "Jeff Newton was my roommate in College at Eastern Kentucky University; seeing his name here on TOP caused a flurry of synapses that didn't anticipate meeting each other. While watching him I thought about our college days and noted he seemingly has lost none of his enthusiasm for journalism (which is substantial by any standard)."
Featured Comment by Adam Long: "Thanks, Mike, great link!
"I had the privilege to climb with and photograph Alex when he made a trip over to the U.K. a couple of years back. I've also climbed the route featured (with ropes of course!) which makes it particularly resonant for me.
"I guess there is a lot of impressive footage of all kinds of things on the web, but its worth pointing out that this is the real deal—there are perhaps two other guys in the world capable of soloing this route. And I'm pretty sure neither would be able to do it smoothly enough for anyone to contemplate filming them. I've shot a few dicey climbs over the years and, strangely enough, it's pretty important that the climber is doing the climb for themselves and not to get on TV. There's nothing worse than having to watch anyone tempted to show off in that kind of situation. Alex is rock solid in that respect; I think he'd far rather everyone left him alone!
"It's also great to see what climbing can look like with some production dollars. It's hsitorically been a very hard sport to get across to non-climbers, but with ever lighter and more capable cameras I think this is set to change. Getting broadcast-quality footage from the likes of GoPros is going to make a huge impact."
Featured Comment by Mandeno Moments: "That video gives me the collywobbles. I'm not concerned about falling; rather, what bothers me is the sudden stop at the bottom."
Wish I could do something like him. The TV guy, that is. Excellent stuff.
Posted by: vlatko | Tuesday, 03 January 2012 at 12:47 PM
Hi,
Mr Honnold is an excellent climber but not a mountain climber. He's a rock climber. The difference between these two pursuits is like the difference between mountain biking and road cycling. Here's a short film about mountain climbing http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/journal/climb/video/bd-grassroots-athlete-jesse-huey-reports-on-his-ascent-of-denalis-islovak-directi-route .
Happy new year to TOP!
Posted by: jussi | Tuesday, 03 January 2012 at 01:54 PM
Wow, it isn't fear of heights that holds most of us back, but rather a profound sense of gravity.
Posted by: Tom Robbins | Tuesday, 03 January 2012 at 03:49 PM
Mike,
you seem to be increasing in bravery - 20 feet up the rock face is more than you would have previously have ventured. Nevertheless, and despite myself being quite content with doing a SPIE flight with the USMC 500 feet over Camp LeJeune, I'm slightly with you on the disquiet with that video. Seems unnatural to me, as well as requiring not just momentary nerves but nerves for protracted periods.
But for an adrenaline rush, how about this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDBrdl2sZWs
As a marketing man, I'm just disappointed that he didn't cash in with a proper look at the can of energy drink to start with.
Posted by: James B | Tuesday, 03 January 2012 at 08:00 PM