Conquering Challenges: Defying Nature on One of the World's Toughest Rock Faces

In a world where technology and transportation have connected us more than ever before, there are still some untouched places waiting to be explored. Climber Alex Honnold is drawn to these harsh and unforgiving environments, seeking out new adventures.

Honnold made headlines when he climbed El Capitan, a 3,200 foot granite monolith in Yosemite, without any safety ropes. This daring feat was captured in the awe-inspiring National Geographic documentary "Free Solo," which won both a BAFTA and an Oscar. It left viewers with sweaty palms and hearts racing, showcasing the true spirit of adventure.

Following the success of the film and his rise to stardom, Honnold turned his attention to Ingmikortilaq, a challenging 3,750-foot rock wall in Greenland. This imposing rock formation stands twice as tall as the Empire State Building.

“I'm not looking to have another climbing project end up at the Oscars. I can now concentrate on projects that truly excite and inspire me,” he shared with CNN Sport.

Climbers Alex Honnold, right, and Hazel Findlay assess the route ahead as they ascend Pool Wall, one of the stops before Ingmikortilaq, in Eastern Greenland.

Climbers Alex Honnold, right, and Hazel Findlay assess the route ahead as they ascend Pool Wall, one of the stops before Ingmikortilaq, in Eastern Greenland.

Pablo Durana, along with professional climbers Hazel Findlay and Mikey Shaefer, went on a six-week expedition to a challenging seacliff called "the separate one." Their adventure was featured in National Geographic's documentary "Arctic Ascent."

Honnold has completed numerous first ascents globally, but he admits that he had never tackled a first ascent of such a massive wall before.

For any climber, attempting one of the world's largest unclimbed walls may seem like a dream come true. However, the reality was far from ideal for Honnold and his team. They had to contend with unpredictable weather, snow storms, falling rocks, and a delayed delivery of their climbing gear.

Despite his reputation, Honnold admits that sea cliff Ingmikortilaq can be quite intimidating and daunting. He describes the swirling rock as changing in rock type and quality.

"When we first saw the wall from the boat, we were all pretty shocked. We were like, 'Oh, no, that's a lot'," he recalls.

Findlay, who climbed the first ascent with Honnold, shares with CNN that despite thorough planning and a TV crew, they encountered unexpected challenges. One major hurdle was the pressure and high expectations they experienced while working on the documentary.

Alex Honnold climbing Ingmikortilaq. "Arctic Ascent With Alex Honnold."

Alex Honnold climbing Ingmikortilaq. "Arctic Ascent With Alex Honnold."

Pablo Durana/National Geographic

As a climber, you become accustomed to facing the unknown. Adventure always comes with uncertainties, and that's just a natural part of the experience, according to Findlay.

However, when filming for a TV show, there is an added pressure. The need to succeed is heightened because failure would mean wasted resources and the livelihoods of the crew are at stake.

After weeks of journeying to the cliff with a team that included glaciologist Dr. Heïdi Sevestre, Greenlandic guide Adam Kjeldsen, and adventurer Aldo Kane, the climbers focused on conquering the challenging buttress.

Ingmikortilaq mountain stands at a staggering 3,750 ft.

Ingmikortilaq mountain stands at a staggering 3,750 ft.

Matt Pycroft/National Geographic

Findlay adds that the wall was very loose, making it difficult to control the risks despite their efforts to ensure safety.

Honnold shares that he tackled the six-week expedition and daunting climb by breaking it down into manageable tasks, a strategy he applies to all his projects.

He adds that a key aspect of facing fears is expanding your comfort zone so that things that once seemed scary are no longer intimidating. This involves regularly pushing yourself beyond your previous limits and doing things that may be slightly outside of your comfort zone.

He mentions that a decade ago, he would have found many parts of the expedition quite frightening. He explains, "When you've been doing something regularly for 20 years, it just doesn't seem as intimidating. I believe many viewers observe this and think, 'Oh, he lives a typical life like mine, and occasionally he engages in activities like this'."

“No, no, this is what I do five days a week, all year round for the last 20 years,” he chuckles.

Warnings from a warming planet

Before reaching Ingmikortilaq, our team gathered data to conduct a "health check" of Eastern Greenland, a task that had not been done for about two decades.

We explored glaciers, icebergs, fjord waters, and rock formations to learn more about how climate change is affecting this crucial and delicate region of our planet, with consequences that will be felt globally.

This included a climb up a 1,500-foot rock face, known as the Pool Wall, to take real-time depth and density measurements of a rarely studied section of Greenland’s ice cap.

Hazel Findley climbs Ingmikortillaq.

Hazel Findley climbs Ingmikortillaq.

Pablo Durana/National Geographic

Honnold explains that behind these impressive walls, they conducted valuable scientific research. He sees this as a win-win situation for everyone worldwide.

He goes on to mention that a big aspect of modern science is about having the right access. By getting the right individual to the right location, they can easily make significant contributions to science.

The Arctic is warming at a rate three to four times faster than the global average, according to Sevestre speaking to CNN.

She mentions that studying Greenland can lead to improved data and projections on how the Arctic changes may affect the rest of the world.

A recent study conducted by the California Institute of Technology has revealed that the Greenland ice sheet is melting at a rapid rate due to human-induced global warming. This alarming study reported an average loss of 30 million metric tons of ice per hour.

The team walk up Edward Bailey Glacier.

The team walk up Edward Bailey Glacier.

Matt Pycroft/National Geographic

Sevestre emphasizes the strong connection between our present and future with Greenland. She points out that the island contains a significant amount of ice that could potentially raise sea levels by six to seven meters. Sevestre highlights that cities such as London, New York, and Miami are particularly vulnerable to these changes.

At this moment, we are faced with a decision: should we keep pouring resources into fossil fuels at the current rate? If we truly care about the future of Greenland and our own collective well-being, we must seriously consider the impact of our choices.

By continuously investing in fossil fuels without question, we are essentially gambling with the future of our planet. It is crucial that we fully comprehend the significant consequences at stake. For instance, it is predicted that sea levels could rise by as much as a meter by the year 2070.

“I mean, this is tomorrow for the younger generations,” she adds.

Editor's P/S:

Alex Honnold's expedition to Ingmikortilaq is a testament to the human spirit's unyielding drive to explore the unknown. His ability to break down daunting challenges into manageable tasks and push his comfort zone is an inspiration. It's a reminder that we all have the potential to overcome our fears and achieve our dreams.

The article also highlights the importance of scientific research in understanding the impact of climate change. The data collected by Honnold and his team provides valuable insights into how the Arctic is changing and the potential consequences for the rest of the world. It's a reminder that we need to take action now to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect our planet for future generations.. The alarming rate at which the Arctic is warming serves as a stark reminder of the urgency to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate the impact on vulnerable communities worldwide. Honnold's expeditions thus serve not only as awe-inspiring displays of human prowess but also as a poignant call to action for the preservation of our shared home.