The way he casually talks about falling like it's an "oh well" type of thing definitely stood out to me. Said something along the lines of "I don't mind falling and dying, but I just wouldn't want people to have to witness it" if i remember correctly. He knows it's a very real risk, but he has just come to terms and doesn't seem to fear dying as much as the normal person does. Getting close to it seems to be his drug (adrenaline).BowSowy said:62strat said:So to me, this negates the whole philosophy of how this isn't 'risky' for him because he trained enough to where he simply knew he could do it, and wouldn't fall.Counterpoint said:No, he actually passes other climbers while he's doing it. (One in a unicorn costume!)62strat said:
Did they close el cap to other climbers while they did this? Seems like it would be a huge risk to have other climbers on there while he's doing it.
By having these other elements in play (other people), you have things outside of HIS control, like someone dropping something, someone falling and swinging by him, someone breaking off a small hold or kicking loose rocks that then fall down, someone heckling or distracting him, etc.
He was so confident that he trained enough and memorized the route/holds that he could do it without falling, claiming it's not as if he just didn't value his life, yet all of these things could happen since it's just open to the public, so clearly, a lot of risks remain.
I've watched several interviews of him in the last days, and he adamantly states that he only would attempt it once he felt he eliminated the risks (otherwise he would've just walked up done with with no preparation), but there are still lots of risks, and the consequence is of course death, yet he says of course he is afraid of falling and dying.
It doesn't quite add up in my opinion. If it were as he explains it, seems he would have made the effort to get everyone else off the mountain (or at least those who would be near his route). Then, combined with his preparation, he would have eliminated the risk of falling.
I felt like a big point of the documentary was about how he doesn't view things as risky when they inherently are. I mean hell, the opening scenes have him talking to media about how "low risk" free climbing is.
Yeah, there was way more risk than he talked about but I'm not sure why that's a sticking point for you. Anyone watching that doc knew there was a ton of risk (and they even showed him passing other climbers)
When he bailed on the first attempt the film crew almost seemed shocked...like "holy crap, this guy DOES fear death".