The Quest To Conquer The Impossible In “The Devil’s Climb”

in “The Devil’s Ascension,” Alex Honnold and Tommy Caldwell take on one of their most dangerous challenges yet: the summit of a massive and treacherous rock formation in the Stikine Icecap region near the Alaska-British Columbia border. Known for pushing the limits of extreme sports, these two climbing legends combine mental toughness, physical prowess and cutting-edge technology to achieve the seemingly impossible.

The Climb: Physical and Mental Resilience

The documentary highlights the immense physical and mental strength required to complete such a dangerous climb. Both Honnold and Caldwell are no strangers to extreme heights and danger, but this climb carried unique risks, from unpredictable weather to steep ridges that could easily end the climb in disaster.

I spoke to Alex Honnold about the trip. He remarked on the importance of mental toughness, saying, “If you want to do something really big, you just start and go at it, one day at a time. Eventually, you get there.” This mindset, honed through years of dealing with extreme environments, was essential to the success of ‘The Devil’s Climb’.

While the physical demands were evident, Caldwell’s role on this trip brought a special dynamic to the climb. Coming off an Achilles injury—back to back Achilles injuries, in fact—Caldwell approached the challenge with renewed determination, using the trip as both a recovery process and a wake-up call to great adventures.

Honnold shared during our interview, “Tommy was hungry to go big, and I said, ‘Okay, let’s go big.'”

Facing the Unknown

In this case, “going big” didn’t just mean climbing on the devil’s thumb. The two began their journey near Denver and covered 2,600 miles across the United States and Canada. They spent 55 days cycling before switching to kayaking and sailing and hiking just to reach the mountain. At that point, the climbing began – culminating in the 9,000-foot summit of Devil’s Thumb.

The climb itself was grueling, not only because of the technical difficulty, but also because of the unforgiving environment. Honnold and Caldwell attempted to be the first to complete a one-day traverse of all five cones of this formation. The route was full of dangers, from sharp, narrow ridges to unpredictable weather conditions.

One of the most intense moments came when they reached the “Witches”, some of the narrowest and most treacherous spiers. As Honnold recalls, “The summit was smaller than my office. There really wasn’t room for the two of us in it.”

Despite the danger, the two climbers maintained a positive outlook. “It really reminded me of home,” Honnold reflected, comparing the pure, white granite of the Alaskan wilderness to the granite of the High Sierra, where he grew up. This connection to nature, and the joy they find in it, is central to their approach to climbing.

The impact of man on nature

While The Devil’s Climb focuses on the physical challenges of climbing, the expedition also served as a moment of reflection for Honnold about the environment and climate change. On their way to the climb, Honnold and Caldwell cycled thousands of miles across British Columbia and the western United States. What struck Honnold most was not the isolation of the landscape, but the human impact on it.

Honnold shared an important insight from the trip: “When you look at a map of the western US and Canada, it looks so remote, and yet it’s so developed. There are freeways everywhere.” This realization changed his perception of man’s effect on nature. As someone who spends much of his life climbing in remote areas that seem untouched by civilization, Honnold recognized that even these seemingly isolated places are subject to human exploitation. “Everything that can be exploited has been exploited to some extent,” he noted.

The visual contrast between the untouched wilderness of the climb and the heavily developed landscapes they passed through brought the issue of climate change into sharper focus. Honnold noted that much of the unspoiled wilderness that climbers treasure remains so only because of protections such as national parks. In areas without such safeguards, the environment is often heavily altered by human activity, from logging to mining.

This reflection underscores a major theme of “The Devil’s Climb”: the tension between humanity’s impact on nature and the desire to preserve it. Honnold and Caldwell’s deep connection to the natural world, developed over years of climbing in remote locations, makes them acutely aware of the environmental changes happening around them.

The balance of risk and reward

For climbers like Honnold and Caldwell, the allure of pushing their limits often outweighs the risks involved. But why do they continue to face such extreme challenges? For them, it’s about more than reaching the top. It is about testing the limits of human endurance, both physical and mental.

As Honnold explained, “No matter how big a goal seems, if you just start working on it, eventually you finish.” This philosophy not only applies to climbing, but to life itself. The risks are great, but so are the rewards. Every successful climb represents a triumph of will over fear, preparation over uncertainty.

A testament to human resilience

“The Devil’s Climb” isn’t just a documentary about a dangerous climb – it’s a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Alex Honnold and Tommy Caldwell’s journey shows how resilience, determination and a love of adventure can overcome even the most daunting challenges. Their ability to face fear and overcome adversity is what sets them apart as two of the greatest climbers of their generation.

At the same time, the film serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between humanity and nature. Honnold’s reflections on the environment show that even as we try to explore the most remote parts of the world, we must be mindful of the lasting impact we leave behind.

For anyone fascinated by the intersection of adventure, risk and resilience, “The Devil’s Ascension” is a must watch. It is a powerful exploration of what it means to push the limits of human potential while remaining connected to the natural world.