Alex Honnold's Mother
/A conversation with Dierdre Wolownick about parenting a world-famous climber
Dierdre WOlownick trains on El Capitan’s Heart Lines (Photo by Karissa Frye)
“The important job of a parent is to know when to let go.”
— Dierdre Wolownick
Dierdre Wolownick is the oldest woman to have climbed El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. She’s also a teacher, a musician, a marathon runner — and the mother of renowned rock climber Alex Honnold.
On this episode, we talk with Dierdre about what it was like raising a kid like Alex.
We discuss her efforts to keep Alex safe as a child, without stifling his love for climbing. We talk about the difference between risk and consequence. And we explore Dierdre’s own journey to becoming a climber, and how learning about her son’s passion changed their relationship.
Dierdre Wolownick’s memoir is called The Sharp End of Life
You can find it here.
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