--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Free soloing is almost as old as climbing…" description: "\"Free soloing is almost as old as climbing itself, with roots in the 19th century. Climbers are continuing to push the boundaries. There are certainly b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6de/alex-honnold-10787_better_free-soloing-is-almost-as-old-as-climbin_2041540.jpg" --- # Free soloing is almost as old as climbing itself, with… ![“Free soloing is almost as old as climbing itself, with roots in the 19th century. Climbers are continuing to push the boundaries. There are certainly better technical climbers than me. But if I have a particular gift, it's a mental one - the ability to keep it together where others might freak out.” quote by Alex Honnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6de/alex-honnold-10787_better_free-soloing-is-almost-as-old-as-climbin_2041540.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6de/alex-honnold-10787_better_free-soloing-is-almost-as-old-as-climbin_2041540.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6de/alex-honnold-10787_better_free-soloing-is-almost-as-old-as-climbin_2041540.jpg) > “Free soloing is almost as old as climbing itself, with roots in the 19th century. Climbers are continuing to push the boundaries. There are certainly better technical climbers than me. But if I have a particular gift, it's a mental one - the ability to keep it together where others might freak out.” [Alex Honnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-honnold/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Solo climbing demands extreme mental focus and composure, beyond pure technical skill. **In simple terms:** Mental toughness is key in solo climbs. Key Takeaway Cultivate calm under pressure. Themes risk mental resilience solo climbing Mood intense reflective Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - high‑risk sports - mountain expeditions - personal challenges Key Concepts psychology fear management flow state Questions to Reflect On - How do you train mental resilience? - What role does fear play in performance? A Different Perspective Mental strength alone cannot replace technical proficiency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better/) [Climbers Particular](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climbers-particular-3803175/) [Climbing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climbing/) [Free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free/) [Free Soloing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-soloing-513373/) [Gift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gift/) [Mountain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mountain/) [Roots](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roots/) [Soloing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soloing-513375/) [Soloing Old](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soloing-old-3803176/) [Together](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/together/) ## Related quotes > [To be clear, I normally climb with a rope and partner. Free-soloing makes up only a small percentage of my total climbing. But when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-honnold/to-be-clear-i-normally-climb-with-a-rope-and-partner-free-soloing/) [Alex Honnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-honnold/) > [The terrible thing about free soloing difficult routes that are within one's capacity, is the chance that faced with ultimate danger and need for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royal-robbins/the-terrible-thing-about-free-soloing-difficult-routes-that-are/) [Royal Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royal-robbins/) > [Seven years ago, when I started free soloing long, hard routes in Yosemite - climbing without a rope, gear or a partner - I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-honnold/seven-years-ago-when-i-started-free-soloing-long-hard-routes-in/) [Alex Honnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-honnold/) > [I've done routes where I've climbed 200 feet off the ground and just been, like, 'What am I doing?' I then just climbed back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-honnold/i-ve-done-routes-where-i-ve-climbed-200-feet-off-the-ground-and-just/) [Alex Honnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-honnold/) > [Anything called the Teflon Corner is not sweet for free-soloing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-honnold/anything-called-the-teflon-corner-is-not-sweet-for-free-soloing/) [Alex Honnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-honnold/) > [Everybody free-solos. When you walk to the store, you're free-soloing. It's just a matter of the difficulty of the route.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bachar/everybody-free-solos-when-you-walk-to-the-store-you-re-free-soloing/) [John Bachar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bachar/) > [Free soloing is just the most natural way man can climb. It's just using your hands and feet without any use of protection or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-potter/free-soloing-is-just-the-most-natural-way-man-can-climb-it-s-just/) [Dean Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-potter/) > [The most beautiful experiences I've had climbing are when everything is simplified. Free soloing is the simplest thing, until you learn to fly or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-potter/the-most-beautiful-experiences-i-ve-had-climbing-are-when-everything/) [Dean Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-potter/) > [I generally don't climb something if it makes me feel fear. The beauty of soloing is that there's no pressure - no one's telling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-honnold/i-generally-don-t-climb-something-if-it-makes-me-feel-fear-the-beauty/) [Alex Honnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-honnold/) > [I like the simplicity of soloing. You've got no gear, no partner. You never climb better than when you free-solo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-honnold/i-like-the-simplicity-of-soloing-you-ve-got-no-gear-no-partner-you/) [Alex Honnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-honnold/) > [I know I'm not a cutting-edge free climber. Free soloing, I'm comfortable to 5.10-plus or 5.11a. But if I was a grade higher I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-potter/i-know-i-m-not-a-cutting-edge-free-climber-free-soloing-i-m/) [Dean Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-potter/) > [Soloing was pretty easy for me because it was probably the first thing I've ever done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angus-young/soloing-was-pretty-easy-for-me-because-it-was-probably-the-first/) [Angus Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angus-young/) > [If I'm soloing, I usually try to start with a theme, which will often stem from the blues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-bonamassa/if-i-m-soloing-i-usually-try-to-start-with-a-theme-which-will-often/) [Joe Bonamassa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-bonamassa/) > [To me, drum soloing is like doing a marathon and solving equations at the same time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/to-me-drum-soloing-is-like-doing-a-marathon-and-solving-equations-at/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [Soloing is serious business, because you can be seriously dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bachar/soloing-is-serious-business-because-you-can-be-seriously-dead/) [John Bachar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bachar/) ## More by Alex Honnold > [I think it's great that so many people are enjoying climbing. I've always loved climbing; I don't see why other people wouldn't enjoy it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-honnold/i-think-it-s-great-that-so-many-people-are-enjoying-climbing-i-ve/) [Alex Honnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-honnold/) > [I'm sponsored by the solar company Goal Zero, and they were gracious enough to install panels on my van and a nice battery system…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-honnold/i-m-sponsored-by-the-solar-company-goal-zero-and-they-were-gracious/) [Alex Honnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-honnold/) > [In a general sense, I think it's bad to bring too much money into climbing, since it takes away a little from the beauty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-honnold/in-a-general-sense-i-think-it-s-bad-to-bring-too-much-money-into/) [Alex Honnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-honnold/) > [I love my climbing shoes. Virtually all of my big solos have been in the TC Pros. They are the most important thing when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-honnold/i-love-my-climbing-shoes-virtually-all-of-my-big-solos-have-been-in/) [Alex Honnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-honnold/) > [My fantasy breakfast is just a really good egg scramble. Maybe I'll add a little feta, so, uh, obviously not totally dairy-free. Definitely some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-honnold/my-fantasy-breakfast-is-just-a-really-good-egg-scramble-maybe-i-ll/) [Alex Honnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-honnold/) > [I make a fair amount of my food choices for environmental-type reasons than nutrition or taste. I'm trying to minimize impact, which is something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-honnold/i-make-a-fair-amount-of-my-food-choices-for-environmental-type/) [Alex Honnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-honnold/) > [We are apes - we should be climbing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-honnold/we-are-apes-we-should-be-climbing/) [Alex Honnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-honnold/) > [I am a vegetarian, and I sort of aspire to vegan-hood. So far I've noticed no difference at all in my climbing, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-honnold/i-am-a-vegetarian-and-i-sort-of-aspire-to-vegan-hood-so-far-i-ve/) [Alex Honnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-honnold/) > [I took a test once; they said I was a genius.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-honnold/i-took-a-test-once-they-said-i-was-a-genius/) [Alex Honnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-honnold/) > [At the crux of Half Dome, at the very top of the wall, imagine, like, a smooth wall of rock - a nearly vertical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-honnold/at-the-crux-of-half-dome-at-the-very-top-of-the-wall-imagine-like-a/) [Alex Honnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-honnold/) > [I generally don't climb something if it makes me feel fear. The beauty of soloing is that there's no pressure - no one's telling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-honnold/i-generally-don-t-climb-something-if-it-makes-me-feel-fear-the-beauty/) [Alex Honnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-honnold/) > [I know that when I'm standing alone below a thousand-foot wall, looking up and considering a climb, my sponsors are the furthest thing from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-honnold/i-know-that-when-i-m-standing-alone-below-a-thousand-foot-wall/) [Alex Honnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-honnold/) > [Pretty much every gym I go into, I feel very comfortable. I dump my stuff, take my shoes off, do my thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-honnold/pretty-much-every-gym-i-go-into-i-feel-very-comfortable-i-dump-my/) [Alex Honnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-honnold/) > [I often joke that I've just become a professional schmoozer. Like, nobody cares how well I can rock climb anymore. It just has to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-honnold/i-often-joke-that-i-ve-just-become-a-professional-schmoozer-like/) [Alex Honnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-honnold/) > [I've walked away from more climbs than I can count, just because I sensed that things were not quite right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-honnold/i-ve-walked-away-from-more-climbs-than-i-can-count-just-because-i/) [Alex Honnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-honnold/) [Explore all 63 Alex Honnold quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-honnold/) ## More Better quotes > [If what I write is literature, I guess you'd better emphasize the 'litter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-lunch/if-what-i-write-is-literature-i-guess-you-d-better-emphasize-the/) [Lydia Lunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-lunch/) > [Everybody has their cliques, and I was very shy. I'm still very shy. Music opened up doors. 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I'm not so good at understated, kitchen-sink kinds of parts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/the-bigger-the-canvas-the-better-i-do-i-m-not-so-good-at-understated/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) > [The Little you Give !! The Better it Gets !!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-stanyer/the-little-you-give-the-better-it-gets/) [Mario Stanyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-stanyer/) > [A strong, durable Puerto Rican economy will leave the island better prepared to handle future natural disasters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-campos-duffy/a-strong-durable-puerto-rican-economy-will-leave-the-island-better/) [Rachel Campos-Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-campos-duffy/) > [In my first 100 days as Ontario's Minister of Transportation, I found a willing municipal partner in the City of Toronto that shares our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-mulroney/in-my-first-100-days-as-ontario-s-minister-of-transportation-i-found/) [Caroline Mulroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-mulroney/) > [It hasn't been a conscious thing, like, 'I don't want to listen to a bunch of dudes,' but I genuinely like music by women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soccer-mommy/it-hasn-t-been-a-conscious-thing-like-i-don-t-want-to-listen-to-a/) [Soccer Mommy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soccer-mommy/) > [Life is going to hit you some line drives, and sometimes you'll have to think fast. 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