Adventurers - The Greatest Challenge

What does it take to achieve the impossible? Three record-breaking adventurers tell us about the challenges that have defi ned their careers, from enduring starvation on an icecap in Greenland to rerouting an entire expedition through Alaska

WORLD NO. 1 SOLOIST ROCK CLIMBER

 ALEX HONNOLD

The humble Alex ‘No Big Deal’ Honnold is a trailblazer. In June 2017, he accomplished the greatest feat in rock climbing history: he scaled the 3,000‰ El Capitan wall in America’s Yosemite National Park — without ropes

I’ve seen a lot of walls, but El Capitan was the most striking, the most inspiring. It was always there in my mind as the ultimate challenge. So I worked up to it.

There weren’t really any nerves. You basically prepare to the point that you aren’t nervous. But you have to prepare for scares: for example, if I suspect that my next step on the rock face is going to be scary, and it is, then I’m ready.

I’m afraid of danger. I don’t want to die. If I’m being driven by a drunk taxi driver, that’s scary. If I’m on a plane that’s about to crash and there’s a real chance of death, then sure, I’d be scared. With climbing I do things that I’m completely used to — it’s totally natural.

For me, the most meaningful moment of the climb was the elation I felt getting to the top. It was such a long-held dream finally realised. There were moments when I was climbing that were tinged with excitement, but essentially I was super focused and nervous. And then, when I got to the top, I felt an overwhelming sense of happiness.

El Capitan is my favourite wall for sure, but not because it’s fun. There are plenty of other places that are more fun. Really it’s too big, too tiring.

Being the best in my field as a soloist? I’m not sure I am, but it’s about commitment. I’m constantly trying better myself.