"Speechless," wrote the American Alpine Journal in its response to the news that Honnold had tackled the imposing 3,000-foot granite wall in a "free-solo," ascent, climbing alone and without safety gear.
Honnold raced up the wall in 3 hours and 56 minutes, prompting Alpinist magazine to say, "This is indisputably the greatest free solo of all time. Congratulations, Alex!"
"This man," Honnold's friend and fellow climbing star Conrad Anker wrote on Facebook. "Respect. Life goal realized."
For people who don't know what happened last Saturday, just two days ago, this is huge ? news, an amazing human feat, without any fall to the death, without a doubt. Every time a free solo artist climbs without dying is another day's celebration of life.