The Impossible Climb

October 15, 2020
A scramble into the wild world of rock climbing. In 2017 free solo climber Alex "The Hon" Honnold climbed Freerider, a route with a ridiculously high hazard rating, without a safety line past fantastically tricky sections with deceptively mild names like the Boulder Problem, 3,000 feet up Yosemite's slick El Capitan in just under four hours. Readers who stay the course will not only come away with a command of climbing jargon and glimpses of the community of free-range souls who speak it, but will experience a penetrating character study of a full-time rock climber who spends his days going from one challenge to another in locales ranging from Borneo to Chad. Slimming down her author husband's more detailed account--adding a personal introduction, toning down the language--the adapter tries to position Honnold and his colleagues less as thrill-seekers than athletes pushing human limits. What remains is a patchwork, composed as much of the author's autobiographical reminiscences about his own early attachment to dangerous feats as anecdotes about Honnold. Young readers may find speculations about whether Honnold has Asperger's and/or an atypical amygdala more eye-glazing than illuminating. Considering his risky lifestyle, the Hon makes chancy role model material, but his seemingly paradoxical mix of impulsivity and obsessive attention to physical and mental preparation adds nuance and drama to his exploits. A slippery jumble but not without plenty of thrills. (glossary, sources, photo credits) (Nonfiction. 11-13)

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Starred review from January 1, 2021

Gr 6 Up-This young readers' adaptation details Alex Honnold's dream and success of free-climbing the imposing El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. While many climbers make ambitious attempts using harnesses, ropes, and other equipment, it is the rare athlete, like Honnold, who does not use anything except a chalk bag to climb some of the world's biggest peaks and monuments. Synnott spends the first part of the book detailing his own forays into daredevil escapades and professional adventuring pursuits, as well as Honnold's childhood and early years as an amateur climber. The second part spotlights Honnold as an unassuming and shy professional climber who conquers Mount Kinabalu in Borneo, Ennedi in Chad, Musandam Peninsula in Oman, and more. He secured endorsement deals and started a clean energy nonprofit. The most compelling part of the narrative explains Honnold's mindset, preparation, and the death-defying free solo ascent of El Cap in three hours and 56 minutes. Readers can use the glossary to clarify technical language and refer to images and videos online to understand the magnitude of other climbers' feats and aspects of the Freerider route up El Cap. Full-page photos complement the storytelling. VERDICT A heart-pounding adventure that will pull in any reader who is looking to live life to its fullest. A beautiful, unique addition to most nonfiction sports collections.-Jamie Winchell, Percy Julian M.S., IL

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2021
Grades 6-10 Imagine climbing Yosemite National Park's El Capitan, a glacier-polished, 3,000-foot vertical ascent. Now imagine climbing it without any ropes. Only Alex Honnold has achieved this solo free-climbing feat. In this young readers' edition of his New York Times best-seller, Synnott recounts this historic climb that seemed to defy human capability. The short, occasionally nail-biting chapters unfold at a quick pace, with large photographs accentuating the danger and skill. First, the author--a world-renowned climber himself--describes his own entry to the sport and the rise of professional climbing. After meeting breakout star Honnold, Synnott describes their friendship as they take on some of the world's toughest climbs. His focus gradually turns towards Honnold's unique character, from living in a van in order to concentrate on his climbing to creating a nonprofit. One section is dedicated to neuroscientists' interest in Honnold's brain and the mystery behind the climber's seemingly nonexistent fear. The climax, however, is the build up and execution of his momentous El Capitan climb. A gripping story for readers of any age.

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