Article July 1, 2019 Issue

Go vertical!

John Quincy Adams III

On June 3, 2017, Alex Honnold became the first rock climber to free solo Yosemite National Park’s 3,000-foot El Capitan wall, scaling the vertical rock formation alone, and without ropes, harnesses, or other climbing gear. He finished in four hours. Some have referred to it as the greatest athletic achievement of our time.

I really admire rock climbers. Their sport demands tremendous mental discipline and physical endurance, as well as courage, balance, agility, familiarity with the terrain, and oftentimes, radical trust in one’s proven skills—all of which enabled Honnold to “go vertical.”

I’ve heard this phrase used not only in rock climbing but also in other sports. It means triumphing over gravity, fear, doubt in one’s capabilities—whatever would keep a person from reaching the goal. You could say the same is true for many worthwhile endeavors, athletic and otherwise.

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