For the virtual reality documentary "Alex Honnold: The Soloist VR", the probably best-known solo climber of his time climbed rope-free through large walls in Europe and the USA, including the Yellow Wall on the Kleine Zinne, Desert Gold in the Red Rocks or large parts the American Direct at the Petit Dru.
The British alpinist and filmmaker accompanied for two years John Griffiths Alex Honnold in his free solos. Always with him: his VR camera, which recorded the inspections in high-resolution 3D 360° recordings. "After seeing how excited viewers were with Alex in Free Solo, we thought VR could bring people even closer to the wall while continuing to push the boundaries of sport and human achievement," says the filmmaker.
Video: A sneak peek at Alex Honnold: The Soloist VR
Right in the middle there instead of just
The two-part documentary by Jon Griffith gives up OculusTV to see. However, a Meta Quest VR headset is required for the full virtual experience. If you can't or don't want to make this investment, you can still go for the classic three-part series Making the Soloist VR by director Renan Ozturk fall back on.
Alex Honnold free solo in American Direct on Petit Dru, Mont Blanc massif. Photo: Renan Ozturk / Red Bull Content Pool 
Alex Honnold, Jonathan Griffith, Renan Ozturk on the ground after the last shot of the film about Desert Gold. Photo: Renan Ozturk / Red Bull Content Pool 
Alex Honnold free climbing through Desert Gold in the Red Rocks. Photo: Renan Ozturk / Red Bull Content Pool 
Alex Honnold, Nicolas Hojac and Korra Pesce at the Fourche bivouac hut. Photo: Renan Ozturk / Red Bull Content Pool 
Alex Honnold at the foot of the Dru before his solo ascent. Photo: Renan Ozturk / Red Bull Content Pool 
Photo: Renan Ozturk / Red Bull Content Pool 
Alex Honnold during his free solo ascent of the yellow wall at the Kleine Zinne. Photo: Renan Ozturk / Red Bull Content Pool 
Sunrise in the Kuffner-Arete, Alex Honnold and Nicolas Hojac climbing. Photo: Renan Ozturk / Red Bull Content Pool 
Alex Honnold and Nicolas Hojas climb the Digital Crack (8a) on the Aiguille du Midi, Chamonix. Photo: Renan Ozturk / Red Bull Content Pool 
Alex Honnold and Nicolas Hojac go towards Kuffner-Arete, Mont Maudit, Chamonix. Photo: Renan Ozturk / Red Bull Content Pool
Strong team in the background
A handful of other top climbers were involved in the success of this project, including the late one Corrado Pesce, Tomas Mueller and Nicolas Hojac, who had the difficult task of keeping up with Alex Honnold. They not only ensured the safety of the film crew, but also helped them navigate in the high mountains or position the heavy camera equipment in the vertical walls.
Alex Honnold is very satisfied with the result: "For anyone who wants to delve deeper into the world of free solo climbing, The Soloist VR is the perfect opportunity to do so in the comfort of your own home. Viewers join the journey as we climb some of the most beautiful rock faces in the world.”
That might interest you
- Alex Honnold climbs with Arrested Development for the first time an 9a route
- 20 peaks in half a day: Nicolas Hojac and Adrian Zurbrügg break record
- Alex Honnold and Adam Ondra in conversation
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Credits: Cover picture Renan Ozturk / Red Bull Content Pool