Watch Heinz Zak Solo Separate Reality 5.12 in Yosemite

In 1986, Heinz Zak took a now-classic photo of the late Wolfgang Gullich on the first free solo of Separate Reality 5.12a. In this short film, Austrian climber Zak succeeds in making the second free solo in 2005.

The big six-metre roof crack, which is 200 metres above the Merced River, was first climbed in 1977 by Ron Kauk. It was considered a breakthrough free climb at the time. Since 2005, Canadian Will Stanhope has soloed the bold route, the late Dean Potter soloed it several times, as has Alex Honnold.