What happens when two of the world's most esteemed climbers, Alex Honnold and Tommy Caldwell, decide to increase the stakes of their perilous pursuit? They set out on a 2,600-mile journey of biking, boating, rafting, and rowing to reach one of America's most challenging peaks, the Devils Thumb.
Once upon a time, rock climbing was a niche sport undertaken by few. However, the last decade has seen a significant shift. This transformation was led by Caldwell and Honnold, who have not only achieved groundbreaking feats in climbing but also successfully brought the sport into the mainstream. Their exploits, particularly Caldwell's 19-day ascent of Yosemite’s Dawn Wall in 2015 and Honnold's ropeless summit of El Capitan, have been documented in popular documentaries, turning them into global celebrities.
Despite their passion for climbing, the pair have become increasingly outspoken about environmental issues. This prompted their recent adventure, an 'ecopointing' expedition that produced no fossil fuel emissions. This term, coined by European climbers, described the pair's ambitious endeavor to reach Devils Thumb, a daunting 9,000-foot Alaskan peak, by human power alone.
Setting off on bicycles from Caldwell's Colorado home, the duo plotted a 2,600-mile course through some of North America's most breathtaking landscapes. Their journey involved not just world-class rock climbing but also sailing, sea kayaking, pack rafting, and traversing virgin rainforests. Their incredible adventure is captured in a new National Geographic documentary, *The Devil’s Climb*, streaming on Disney+.
Despite the awe-inspiring scenery and the thrill of their accomplishments, the journey was not without its disappointments. Honnold and Caldwell witnessed firsthand the extensive human impact on the environment, seeing areas that had been logged, mined, or extracted. This reinforced the importance of protecting the remaining pristine areas, particularly national parks.
Yet, they also experienced moments of profound connection with nature, from witnessing humpback whales bubble-net feeding to encountering wild horses on the plains of Wyoming. These moments of pure, unspoiled nature were powerful reminders of what they were fighting to preserve.
With their adventure now behind them, Honnold and Caldwell reflect on the risks they took, the impact of becoming parents on their outlook, and the profound love they have for climbing. Their journey had its challenges, but both agree that it was an experience of a lifetime, one that deepened their commitment to environmental conservation.
*The Devil’s Climb* premieres on October 17 on National Geographic, streaming the next day on Disney+ and Hulu. The story also features in the November 2024 issue of National Geographic magazine.