Get a little out there with climber Alex Honnold

Alex Honnold is one of the world's most famous rock climbers, best known for his free-solo (no ropes) ascents of epic rock walls across the globe, and most recently the 1667-foot Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taiwan. To tackle these incredible feats is one thing, but Honnold has managed to do it in front of a camera, too: in the Academy Award-winning documentary Free Solo (2018) and this year's obsession-worthy Skyscraper Live, a Netflix live broadcast event where Honnold climbed a Taipei building, with no ropes and a sea of rabid fans snapping photographs through 89th-floor observatory windows. 

At 40, Honnold's latest adventure is a new show on Outside TV called Get a Little Out There with Alex Honnold (produced in partnership with Travel Nevada). It may seem decidedly more tame than his usual expeditions, but as a self-described introvert, says Honnold, the project feels as risky as his free-climbing. In a recent conversation over Zoom, Honnold shares how over the course of five episodes, he discovers hidden corners of his adopted home state of Nevada, scales a bus and embraces small town culture. And, he's already talking about season two. 

What surprised you most about Nevada while filming the show?

I was most surprised by the cultural elements: meeting people in small towns and seeing the richness of those communities. The adventures are what I’ve done for the last 20 years, but spending time in places like Tonopah and Goldfield, and getting to know the people there, felt unexpectedly meaningful.

Did people recognize you when you arrived with cameras? 

Not really. Rural communities don’t care much about the things I’ve done – and I think that’s great. You get a more authentic experience when people just treat you like any other tourist.

Did you pick up any new skills along the way?

I wouldn’t say I mastered anything, but I gained a real appreciation for craftsmanship. I met a man who had been polishing turquoise stones for 60 years. Watching his dexterity was a reminder that if you devote your life to something, you get pretty good at it.

You recently climbed Taipei 101 with crowds watching. How did you handle that pressure? 

At first it was stressful. But then I decided to embrace it. It’s a spectacle – so have fun with it. Slowing down to wave at people actually made the climb easier. Sometimes accepting what you can’t change makes everything better.

What’s your headspace like when you’re climbing?

You can kind of switch it on and off. You focus intensely for a move, then relax in between. That rhythm makes it possible to take in the view – or wave to a crowd – when the position is stable.

In what place do you feel most like yourself?

Yosemite, for sure. I grew up near there. But I’ve lived in Las Vegas for 10 years now, and it’s starting to feel even more like home. The outdoor access around Vegas is incredible.

Is there a Nevada climb that stands out?

The Wild Granites in western Nevada. You can see these huge walls from 40 miles away, but hardly anyone climbs there. The granite rivals Tuolumne Meadows near Yosemite. It’s amazing that it’s so overlooked.

Were there historical moments that stuck with you?

Goldfield was once the largest city in Nevada. Las Vegas was just a train stop called “Gateway to Goldfield.” Now Goldfield has about 250 people and burros wandering around. That shift is wild.

Did hosting the show push you out of your comfort zone?

Definitely. I’m naturally introverted. I call myself a “highly-trained introvert” because I’ve done so many public events. Being a presenter on camera was new, but I improved as we went – and that’s all you can hope for.

What’s life like at home in Vegas?

We have a two-year-old and a four-year-old, so we don’t go out much. But I do love Din Tai Fung in Vegas. I’m a flexible vegetarian, so I appreciate having options.

How do you travel?

I pack light. That’s the free solo mentality: You don’t need much. Filming the show felt like the old days, road-tripping in a van and having simple adventures.

Why should people visit Nevada?

Nevada – it’s the best. The outdoor access and adventure opportunities are limitless. It’s seriously incredible.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

How to watch Get a Little Out There

• Visit outsideonline.com/OutThereNevada to watch episodes and learn more about places that Honnold visited in Nevada. 

• Access the free Outside TV app through your smart TV or phone. 

• Tune in to Outside TV’s 24/7 live channel (available on Samsung, Roku and more with your Smart TV).