Talk:Regular Northwest Face of Half Dome

Latest comment: 4 years ago by 205.154.192.198 in topic Summer bias

How were the speed records set? edit

According to the article:

Although the first ascent took five days, most ascents now are accomplished in two. The record for the fastest ascent of the route is one hour, twenty-two minutes and was set during a solo ascent in late May 2012 by Alex Honnold, who had previously recorded the first free solo ascent in 2008. This improved on a longstanding record of 1:53 set in October 1999 by Jim Herson and Hans Florine.

The difference between the standard and fastest times is mind-boggling. It would be interesting to know what factors contribute to the huge difference between the two days required for most ascents and the 1:22 current record; and also between the old and new records. Is it entirely a matter of immense skill and stamina? Do the speed climbers practice the route many times with safety equipment to plan their moves? Is free soloing inherently much faster than other types of climbing because no time is spent in placing equipment or keeping the group together? These are probably all very obvious to experts, but some (sourced) context would be very helpful for the rest of us. Thanks. --Amble (talk) 19:32, 21 April 2014 (UTC)Reply

Why is this italicized? edit

The subject of this article is not a book, movie, television program, newspaper, ship, or any other work that is commonly rendered in italics, as far as I am aware. Can someone please enlighten me? Otherwise, I propose that the italics be removed. 1980fast (talk) 22:27, 29 September 2018 (UTC)Reply

Summer bias edit

The page is missing the Lowe brothers first winter ascent. I think Greg and Jeff. AAJ article somewhere. 205.154.192.198 (talk) 23:13, 7 March 2020 (UTC)Reply