Alone on the Wall

The life and death-defying feats of Alex Honnold, a visionary climber of the sort that comes along only once in a generation.

A thirty-year-old climbing phenomenon, Alex Honnold pushes the limits of free soloing beyond anything previously attempted, as he climbs without a rope, without a partner, and without any gear to attach himself to the wall. If he falls, he dies. In Alone on the Wall, Honnold recounts the seven most astonishing achievements thus far in his meteoric career, including free-soloing Sendero Luminoso in Mexico and climbing the Fitz Traverse in Patagonia. Each chapter narrates the drama of one climb, along with reflective and introspective passages that get at what makes Honnold tick. Veteran climber and award-winning author David Roberts quotes the judgments of other climbers to help put Honnold’s tremendous accomplishments in perspective.

Honnold’s renown transcends the climbing realm: at the moment, he is one of the most famous adventurers in the world. His extraordinary life has much to teach us about risk, reward, and the ability to maintain focus even in the face of extreme danger.