Taking Tall Tales to New Heights

Sure, you’ve heard of people who climb mountains and rock walls thousands of feet above the ground. But have you heard of someone doing it without a rope? This extreme sport is called free soloing, and it’s not for the faint of heart. Meet Alex Honnold, the first person to free solo El Capitan, a 3,000 foot rock formation in Yosemite National Park. In this TED Talk, Alex explains how he prepares for such a physically—and mentally—demanding task.

Ashima Shiraishi became known as the world’s best female rock climber by the time she was just 14. Ashima started climbing in Central Park, New York City, when she was only six. Here’s how she developed her passion for climbing.

In 1968, Philippe Petit, a French street performer, got a radical idea: to walk between the two towers of New York’s World Trade Center—on a wire, a quarter-mile high into the sky. In the summer of 1974, he made it happen, much to the shock of passersby beneath him.

Watch Petit in action during other high-wire walks in this short video.

Sibusiso Vilane is a world-class mountaineer and the first Black man to summit Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world. Now he’s on a mission to encourage young Black climbers.

Guided climbing exhibitions up Mount Everest have become big business. But for the indigenous Sherpa people of Nepal and Tibet, who provide essential skills navigating the mountains and carrying heavy loads, this work is dangerous and low-paying. No one has climbed Everest more times than Apa Sherpa, who has scaled the peak 21 times—but he says he “wouldn’t wish this on anyone.” Watch this short film about Apa Sherpa’s life and the work of Sherpas in the Himalayas.

What’s the most extreme sporting event you can think up if you don’t have to worry about safety? Leaping from rooftops? Diving over waterfalls? Write out the rules of the game and draw what it looks like in action. Just remember: Whatever you do, don’t try this at home.

Paint your own beautiful mountain landscape with this step-by-step tutorial. You’ll just need some paint and brushes, a paper or canvas, and a piece of chalk.

You don’t need a beam—or a wire—to learn how to balance. All you need is some tape. Spread a long piece of tape in a straight line along the floor and practice walking on it without touching the ground on either side. Got that down? Mix it up and try walking backwards, hopping, or balancing a few books on your head at the same time.

Try your hand (and arms, and legs) at this super intense exercise. We promise, you’ll be ready for a nap afterwards. Make sure you’re doing it right with help from KidFitGo!