All and Nothing

Inside Free Soloing

320 pages
Publisher: Mountaineers Books
ISBN: 978-1-68051-332-5
Published: Aug 25, 2022

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Description

"...an excellent resource for anyone interested in the history and psychology of free soloing." -- Steve Potter ? Climbing Magazine

An insider’s perspective on free soloing
From the author of the critically acclaimed Hangdog Days
Examines what motivates people to climb without a rope

Once considered a fringe activity, climbing without a rope has entered the mainstream consciousness, largely because of the Oscar-winning documentary Free Solo featuring professional climber Alex Honnold. Yet climbers have been free soloing all along—motivated by reasons as varied as the climbers themselves.

All and Nothing delves into the cultural history of free soloing, ranging across the storied climbing cultures of the Alps, Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada, Joshua Tree, Yosemite, the Gunks, Eldorado Canyon, and several other locales. Writer and climber Jeff Smoot explores the interplay of climbing and risk, as well as psychological theories, evolving ethics, the effect of media coverage (particularly the portrayal of extreme sports), and shares original interviews with dozens of free soloists. Smoot also recounts his personal experiences climbing without a rope in the same era as talented climbers like Mark Twight and Peter Croft.

From inside his complex connection to free soloing, he examines our relationship with risk, how we perceive our sense of control, and our perspective on mortality.

Contributors

Details

320 pages
Publisher: Mountaineers Books
ISBN: 978-1-68051-332-5
Published: Aug 25, 2022

Reviews

[...] the climbing world owes Jeff Smoot a debt of gratitude. This is a good and necessary book.
— Peter Beal, American Alpine Journal
…All and Nothing does much to bring free-soloing to the mainstream of climbing discourse. Although Smoot may be reticent to encourage the practice, his personal accounts of free-soloing form the basis of a coherent and inclusive personal philosophy.
— Tom Valis, Gripped Magazine
...an excellent resource for anyone interested in the history and psychology of free soloing.
— Steve Potter, Climbing Magazine
Jeff Smoot’s timely book explores the mystique of free soloing, introducing a fascinating cast of characters across cultures and generations. Weaving in his personal experiences, he analyzes the allure of the pursuit and the psyches of the climbers who cannot resist this dangerous sport. Strikingly honest and intensively researched, All and Nothing is a gripping, often disturbing read.
— Maria Coffey, author of Where the Mountain Casts Its Shadow
In this deep dive into obsession, Jeff Smoot intermingles psychological research and analysis with what motivates him and other solo climbers to craft a thought-provoking, compelling book.
— Sharon Wood, author of Rising: Becoming the First North American Woman on
A rare inside view of solo climbing by someone who practiced it and articulates the risks, rewards, and mindset required to succeed at this very dangerous game. Gripping, insightful, highly recommended.
— Nicholas O’Connell, author of The Storms of Denali and founder of www.thewriters
With insight and compassion, Jeff Smoot has done an exceptional job of capturing the complex psychology behind one of the least understood veins of the climbing experience.
— Geoff Powter, clinical psychologist and author of Strange and Dangerous Dr
In All and Nothing, Jeff Smoot thrillingly follows a clear thread from climbing trees to extreme rock solos to the GoPro generation, delving deeply into the sociology, psychology, and spirituality of free soloing.
— Paul Pritchard, author of The Mountain Path
Meticulously researched and splendidly written, All and Nothing is captivating. Read this book, and you’ll have a deeper understanding of not just free soloing, but the call of adventure itself.
— Sir Chris Bonington