We noticed our most recent post on Dean’s freesolo at Taft Point <LINK> had a lot of readers concerned and a few skeptical. We asked Dean to share with us a little about his training on the line, and dug up a prior video clip from a video feature on Dean in the New York Times earlier last year. In his own words, here’s what Dean had to share:

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I rarely read blogs and am kind of an old fashioned guy who likes writing letters or talking to people face to face.  Most of the time I do literally live in a cave or under trees and forget that the public sees or cares about what I do.  It’s come to my attention that a few of the prAna blog readers are a bit concerned about me falling off of highlines while I’m solo walking.  Even though this last freesolo crossing at Taft Point was a distance record of 100 feet I assure you I was in total control.  In fact I soloed it five times in a row.  Here are a few ideas that might calm things down.  Usually I don’t divulge my secrets but maybe it’s helpful in this case.

For a long time now I’ve been interested in the martial arts.  I’m fascinated with the Aikido and strategy expert Miyamoto Musashi and have learned from his book, ‘Go Rin No Sho’ (A Book of Five Rings) and teachings over the years.  Though he lived in the 13th century his values and openness to new ideas drove him to the forefront of swordsmanship simply by disregarding others’ rules.  In his most famous dual he struck down a stronger opponent with a wooden oar that he spontaneously carved into a sword, simply because he wielded a longer blade. (more…)