Free Solo (2018) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Alex Honnold has been climbing for years and wanted to attempt something unprecedented in the climbing world. While he had completed Freerider (a legendary 5.13a big-wall route) with ropes and protection before, the idea of climbing it completely unprotected represented the ultimate test of his skills, mental focus, and trust in his own abilities. The documentary frames it as his defining goal, a way to push human limits in his sport.

Foreshadowing: The film establishes early that no one had ever successfully free soloed a route of this magnitude on El Capitan.

• alex honnold
• el capitan
• free solo
• freerider
• climbing motivation

During a climb with his girlfriend Sanni McCandless, she fed his rope through a belay device (gri gri) incorrectly, which caused him to fall. The mistake resulted in Alex suffering vertebral compression fractures in his spine. Though serious, he survived, and the incident became a pivotal moment that tested their relationship.

• sanni mccandless
• accident
• vertebral compression
• fall
• climbing accident

Alex agreed to an MRI scan to study how his brain responds to fear and danger. Scientists were curious about what allowed him to take such extreme risks. The results showed remarkably low activity in his amygdala when exposed to intense stimuli, suggesting he has an unusually low fear response compared to most people.

• mri
• brain scan
• amygdala
• fear response
• neuroscience

These are two of the most difficult and dangerous sections on the Freerider route. The Teflon Corner is a tricky pitch requiring precise footwork and grip strength. The Boulder Problem involves navigating a particularly challenging boulder problem section high above the ground, where any mistake would be fatal. Alex identified both as the moments where the climb could succeed or end badly.

• teflon corner
• boulder problem
• freerider
• difficult sections
• el capitan

Alex decided to attempt the free solo but abandoned the plan after reaching the slab section called Freeblast. The filmmakers, particularly Jimmy Chin, expressed concern that the act of filming was adding significant pressure and potentially distracting Honnold. He ultimately chose to stop for the season rather than continue under those circumstances.

• abort attempt
• 2016
• free solo
• filming pressure
• jimmy chin

On June 3, 2017, Alex Honnold completed the free solo ascent of Freerider in 3 hours and 56 minutes, an astonishingly fast time for such a difficult route. The achievement was met with disbelief and joy from the film crew watching below.

• completion time
• 3 hours 56 minutes
• 2017
• freerider ascent

The MRI scan revealed that Alex Honnold has remarkably low activity in his amygdala when confronted with dangerous or intense stimuli. This suggests his brain processes fear differently than most people, which may explain his unusual comfort with extreme risk-taking. Scientists and the filmmakers found this both fascinating and puzzling.

• amygdala
• brain scan
• fear response
• brain activity
• neurology

When Swiss climber Ueli Steck died on a climb, it prompted reflection among the team about risk and mortality. However, Tommy Caldwell noted that the news did not seem to substantially alter Honnold's mindset or readiness to attempt the free solo. This underscores Alex's unusual relationship with fear and danger.

• ueli steck
• death
• reflection
• risk
• mortality

After deciding not to attempt the free solo that season, Alex and Sanni purchased a house in Las Vegas together. This marked a shift toward a more settled life off the road, though the dream of free soloing El Capitan remained on his mind.

• las vegas
• house purchase
• relationship
• life after climbing

After the accident that caused his vertebral compression fractures, Alex briefly contemplated breaking up with Sanni, possibly feeling that the relationship introduced complications to his climbing life. However, they ultimately chose to stay together and continue pursuing their goals, including the El Cap free solo attempt.

• relationship
• sanni mccandless
• accident
• decision to stay together

In interviews, Alex explains that his family did not openly express love or hug while he was growing up. His father struggled with forming emotional bonds, which shaped his own emotional landscape. This background helps explain his reserved demeanor and his comfort with solitude, traits that likely contribute to his ability to live alone in a van and pursue such dangerous pursuits.

• family
• upbringing
• emotional detachment
• father
• childhood

Free soloing means climbing without any ropes, harnesses, or safety equipment. Unlike traditional climbing where a partner catches you if you fall, a free solo climber has no backup if they lose their grip or make a mistake. At 3,000 feet up El Capitan, a single slip would be fatal. This is what makes Alex's achievement so extraordinary and the filming so tense.

• free solo
• danger
• no ropes
• solo climbing
• safety
• risk