Climbing legend Alex Honnold is at it again—this time not on a remote cliff face or filming a death-defying solo, but right in his Las Vegas backyard, laying down a new up-and-down bouldering speed record on the infamous Plumber’s Crack.
With a stopwatch and a smile, Honnold clocked in at a lightning-fast 25.08 seconds, shaving nearly a full second off the previous time set by Alex Waterhouse. The playful challenge, originally shared by Waterhouse and made viral on social media, has become a fan favorite for climbers—and even parkour athletes—looking to test both their skills and speed on the tall, awkward V0/V1 crack problem.
But while the tone is lighthearted, it comes with an important reminder: start and finish with control, touch the rock, and most importantly—stay safe. Speed climbing, especially on highball boulders, carries real risks, and clean execution matters just as much as time.
So what’s next? More records? More rivalries? Waterhouse has already promised revenge next season, but for now, the crown belongs to Honnold—who once again proves he’s not just the king of free soloing, but also of making climbing fun, fast, and responsibly epic.
