If you watched the Oscars, you are aware that Free Solo won Best Documentary Feature. We, like everyone else who has seen the film, have been singing its praises since it came out—Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin captured Alex Honnold’s feat in a way that no one else could. “We needed elite, professional climbers that were also incredible filmmakers and cinematographers,” Chin said. “Meaning there are only about three or four people in the world you can call.”
A few days before Free Solo won the Academy Award, Sports Illustrated sat down with Honnold for yet another interview about his historic ascent of El Capitan. Honnold, as always, talked about something most can’t relate to in a totally relatable way.
“Sometimes, fear,” he answered when asked what he’s feeling while climbing. “I mean, sometimes terror. That’s why you see so much preparation throughout the film—I’ve had many other free soloing experiences that weren’t quite as positive. Sometimes I get up there and it is very scary. El Cap is such a big challenge that I had to put in the preparation so that I wouldn’t have a terrifying experience.”
