Alex Honnold (born August 17, 1985 ) is an American big wall free solo climber. He has broken a number of speed records, including a free climb of Salathé Wall, as well as a 5h49m aid solo ascent of the 2,900 feet (900 m) Nose of El Capitan, a route normally demanding two to four days.[1]
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Honnold was born in Sacramento, California. He graduated from Mira Loma High School.
Honnold started climbing when he was 11 years old. At the age of 19, he dropped out of UC Berkeley, where he was an engineering student, and devoted all his time to climbing. Between climbs, he runs or hikes to maintain fitness.
Honnold prefers big walls and sport climbing, but enjoys any climb calling for extreme commitment, Yosemite being his favorite area because of its impressive walls and unbeatable weather.
Honnold found inspiration from such noted climbers as Peter Croft, John Bachar and Tommy Caldwell, but, he says, not as much as the stark simplicity and beauty of El Capitan.[2]
In 2010, Honnold was awarded the "Golden Piton" for his climbing achievements.[3]
Journalist Lara Logan interviewed Honnold as part of CBS 60 Minutes program airing on October 2, 2011. [4]
In November 2011, Honnold and Hans Florine missed setting the world record time on the Nose by 45 seconds with a time of 2:37.