In “The Devil’s Climb,” Alex Honnold and Tommy Caldwell take on one of their most dangerous challenges yet: summiting a massive and treacherous rock formation in the Stikine Icecap region near the border between Alaska and British Columbia. Known for pushing the boundaries of extreme sports, these two climbing legends combine mental resilience, physical prowess, and cutting-edge technology to accomplish what seems impossible.
The Climb: Physical and Mental Resilience
The documentary highlights the immense physical and mental strength required to complete such a perilous climb. Both Honnold and Caldwell are no strangers to extreme heights and danger, but this ascent posed unique risks, from its unpredictable weather to the sharp ridges that could easily end the climb in disaster.
I spoke with Alex Honnold about the trek. He remarked on the significance of mental fortitude, saying, “If you want to do something really big, you just set out and chip away at it, one day at a time. Eventually, you get there.” This mindset, honed over years of confronting extreme environments, was essential in making “The Devil’s Climb” a success.
While the physical demands were apparent, Caldwell’s role in this journey brought a special dynamic to the climb. Coming off an Achilles injury—back-to-back Achilles injuries, actually—Caldwell approached the challenge with renewed determination, using the journey as both a rehabilitation process and a reawakening to big adventures.
Honnold shared during our interview, “Tommy was hungry to go big, and I was like, ‘All right, let’s go big.’”
Confronting the Unknown
In this case, “going big” meant not just climbing The Devil’s Thumb. The two began their journey near Denver and traveled 2,600 miles across the United States and Canada. They spent 55 days biking before switching to kayaking and sailing and hiking just to get to the mountain. At that point, the climbing began—culminating in summiting the 9,000-foot peak of Devil’s Thumb.
The climb itself was grueling, not just because of the technical difficulty, but also because of the unforgiving environment. Honnold and Caldwell sought to be the first to complete a single-day traverse of all five spires of this formation. The route was fraught with dangers, from sharp, narrow ridges to unpredictable weather.
One of the most intense moments came when they summited the “Witches,” some of the narrowest and most treacherous spires. As Honnold recalled, “The summit was smaller than my desk. There wasn’t really room for both of us on it.”
Despite the risk, the two climbers maintained a positive outlook. “It really reminded me of my home,” Honnold reflected, comparing the clean, 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.
Man’s Impact 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 biked thousands of miles across British Columbia and the western United States. What struck Honnold most wasn’t the remoteness of the landscape, but the human impact on it.
Honnold shared an important insight from the journey: “When you look at a map of the western US and Canada, it looks so remote, and yet it’s been heavily developed. There are highways everywhere.” This realization shifted his perception of human impact on nature. As someone who spends much of his life climbing in remote areas that seem untouched by civilization, Honnold acknowledged that even those 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 observed that much of the pristine wilderness that climbers like himself treasure remains so only because of protections like national parks. In areas without such safeguards, the environment is often heavily altered by human activity, from logging to mining.
This reflection highlights an important theme of “The Devil’s Climb”: the tension between humanity’s impact on nature and the drive 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 take on such extreme challenges? For them, it’s about more than just reaching the top. It’s about testing the boundaries of human resilience, 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 applies not just to climbing, but to life itself. The risks are great, but so are the rewards. Each successful climb represents a triumph of willpower over fear, preparation over uncertainty.
A Testament to Human Resilience
“The Devil’s Climb” is not just a documentary about a dangerous ascent—it’s a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Alex Honnold and Tommy Caldwell’s journey demonstrates how resilience, determination, and a love for adventure can overcome even the most daunting challenges. Their ability to confront fear and push through 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 seek 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 Climb” is a must-watch. It’s a powerful exploration of what it means to push the limits of human potential while remaining connected to the natural world.
