In the past two days I watched the two most nauseatingly insane free-climbing videos that I’ve ever seen, and they couldn’t be more different.
The first is an amateurish production made by two Russian structure climbers who break in to, and climb, the second tallest building in the world in Shanghai. The footage is simple, shot from GoPro cameras on the climbers’ heads. The effect, though, is an extremely intense as they ascend above the clouds.
The second is a manicured production documenting Alex Honnold — who is according to many the best (if not the most fearless) free climber in history — ascending El Sendero Luminoso without any ropes and completing what some are calling the most difficult free-climb in history.
These videos couldn’t be more different. The first is amateur done with no budget, the second professional complete with ariel shots. The first is urban, the second is alpine. One is obviously more legal than the other.
Personally, I found the first, with it’s raw POV footage to be more scary. My stomach felt like it had dropped out of my body. But, I wouldn’t want to detract from the epicness of the second.
Holy crap! Those Russians are out of their minds! I thought they would have base jumped from up there though…
They both look frightening! I’m not sure one is actually more insane than the other. Thanks for sharing!
Ohh man!!! This is really threatening i don’t know how came someone do that…
I give them both a ten out of ten for insanity!
I have to agree with the comments above – they are all crazy!! I am incredibly impressed people can even do either of those… you would have to be missing a few screws though surely!