# Free Soloing Competition Risks

> Competitive free soloing on low-angle terrain risks lives but attracts climbers seeking challenge.
- Title: Free Soloing Competition Risks · Climbing | Shortify
- Summary: Competitive free soloing on low-angle terrain risks lives but attracts climbers seeking challenge. Michael Reese broke the First Flatiron's fastest known…
- Keywords: free soloing, flatirons, boulder, michael reese, speed climbing, first flatiron, satan's minions scrambling club, climbing, sports, travel, Free, Soloing
- Source: Climbing — https://climbing.com/culture-climbing/free-solo-speed-climbing-flatirons
- Author: Holly Yu Tung Chen
- Published: 2026-10-26T20:14:49+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: free soloing, flatirons, boulder, michael reese, speed climbing, first flatiron, satan's minions scrambling club, climbing, sports, travel
## Competitive Free Soloing Risks
Competitive free soloing on low-angle terrain risks lives but attracts climbers seeking challenge.
## Michael Reese's Record
Michael Reese broke the First Flatiron’s fastest known time (FKT) from base to summit in 7 minutes 51 seconds without ropes.
## First Flatiron Details
The First Flatiron is a 1,000ft red sandstone route with a base 1.3 miles from trailhead.
## Climbers' Motivation
Reese climbed the First Flatiron 800 times, believing risk is never zero but smaller than most imagine.
## Satan's Minions Club
The Satan’s Minions Scrambling Club started in 2001 and has 22 years of speed records.
## Record History
The club’s records began in the 1980s with Stefan Griebel holding every known time.
## Reese's Training
Reese trained for the First Flatiron after pandemic canceled his triathlon plans.
## Safety Concerns
Six fatalities occurred in Flatirons since 2016, all involving free soloists without speed climbing.
## Inexperienced Climbers
A 20-year-old fell 100 feet without headlamp during a free solo in 2025.
## Social Media Role
Reese and others do not prioritize social media for free soloing records.
## Record Impact
Breaking records inspires climbers but does not create toxic competition.
## Risk Acceptance
Climbers accept risk as part of the sport but recognize it is never entirely their own.
## Bailee Mulholland's Death
Bailee Mulholland died free soloing a 5.4 route on Ypsilon Mountain in 2023.
## Conclusion
The risk of free soloing remains personal but the grief of loss affects everyone.
## Key takeaway

Michael Reese broke the First Flatiron's fastest known time without ropes in 7 minutes 51 seconds, raising questions about safety and competition in free soloing.