Alex Honnold

Alex Honnold, born on August 17, 1985, is an iconic American rock climber renowned for his extraordinary free solo ascents of monumental climbing routes. His ascent of the Freerider route on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park in June 2017 catapulted him to global fame, marking him as the first individual to free solo a full route of this magnitude, graded at five point thirteen a. This remarkable feat was hailed by The New York Times as one of the greatest athletic accomplishments of all time.

In addition to his groundbreaking free solo climbs, Honnold has made significant contributions to the climbing community. In 2015, he was awarded the prestigious Piolet d'Or alongside fellow climber Tommy Caldwell for their successful completion of the Fitz Traverse in the Cerro Chaltén Group of Patagonia, a challenging endeavor that took five days to complete.

On January 25, 2026, Honnold achieved another milestone by free soloing the Taipei 101 tower in Taipei, Taiwan. This climb is recognized as the tallest buildering free solo ascent in history, graded at approximately five point eleven.

Beyond his climbing achievements, Honnold is also an accomplished author, having co-written the memoir Alone on the Wall with David Roberts in 2015. His life and career were further immortalized in the 2018 biographical documentary Free Solo, which garnered both an Academy Award and a BAFTA, showcasing his unparalleled dedication and passion for the sport.