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    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    What it's like climbing El Capitan without ropes or safety gear

    Alex Honnold was whistling as he scaled the 3000 foot granite monolith of Yosemite’s El Capitan. He did it with just climbing shoes, a bag of chalk, and his bare hands. It took him less than four hours to reach the top. He’s the first person in the world to do it without any ropes.

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    By Madeleine Brand • Jun 5, 2017 • 1 min read

    Alex Honnold was whistling as he scaled the 3000 foot granite monolith of Yosemite’s El Capitan. He did it with just climbing shoes, a bag of chalk, and his bare hands. It took him less than four hours to reach the top. He’s the first person in the world to do it without any ropes. National Geographic is calling it the greatest feat of rock climbing in history. Honnold is 31 years old and lives out of his van.

    Photos courtesy of Jimmy Chin)

    The full episode

    5 of 5
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    3. 19:08Why do so many law students fail the California bar exam?
    4. 26:33Peter Andreas on his rebel mother: 'She was negligent but I never felt neglected'
    5. 41:34What it's like climbing El Capitan without ropes or safety gearYou’re reading this
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Madeleine Brand

      Host, 'Press Play'

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      Sarah Sweeney

      Vice President of Talk Programming, KCRW

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      Michell Eloy

      Former Producer/Line Editor, Press Play

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Amy Ta

      Digital News & Culture Editor

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      Alex Honnold

      Professional climber; author, 'Alone on the Wall'

      News

    The full episode

    5 of 5
    Terrorism in London: Lessons for the US
    1. 0:00Rethinking local counter-terrorism strategies
    2. 12:01Trump's tweets threaten to undermine travel ban
    3. 19:08Why do so many law students fail the California bar exam?
    4. 26:33Peter Andreas on his rebel mother: 'She was negligent but I never felt neglected'
    5. 41:34What it's like climbing El Capitan without ropes or safety gearYou’re reading this
    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand