Interview between Rob Buchanan and Dean Potter

Rob Buchanan: RB

Dean Potter: DP

RB: It is a pleasure to be able to interview you in this beautiful day, Mr. Potter.

DP: Thank you for having me, it’s a pleasure to be here.

RB: So, I saw you climbed the nose of El Capitan.

DP: Yes, I suppose so.

RB: It was incredible. How did you manage to climb the face so quickly?

DP: We use hardware for this particular climb, allowing us to climb fast.

RB: Speaking of hardware, people say that your hardware are underequipped. What do you think of your own hardware?

DP: I think it’s enough.

RB: Are there any reasons on why you choose this particular set of equipment?

DP: For speed, simple.

RB: I see. But isn’t it risky to just use this set of equipment?

DP: No. It’s enough.

RB: Is there any other thing, other than hardware, that effects your speed?

DP: The technique we use.

RB: What technique did you and O’Neil used, to be exact?

DP: We just climb and not think of other things, other than that, normal climbing.

RB: So, what do you think of O’Neil?

DP: Could’ve been worse.

RB: You and O’Neil broke the record of climbing this, right?

DP: Right.

RB: What was your record again?

DP: Three hours twenty-four minutes, if I’m not wrong.

RB: That is incredible! You must’ve trained a lot.

DP: I do.

RB: What about O’Neil?

DP: I think he does a lot of training as well.

RB: Out of everyone, why do you choose O’Neil specifically?

DP: I think he’s good enough.

RB: Do you think there are people better than O’Neil?

DP: A lot.

RB: Why don’t you pick them?

DP: I think O’Neil’s better for me.

RB: So, you and O’Neil have like a special bond, or something?

DP: You can say.

RB: What do you think when O’Neil was falling?

DP: He was a pain at that time.

RB: Would you think that your speed could be faster if only O’Neil didn’t fall?

DP: Yes.

RB: Why would you think O’Neil fell?

DP: The valley.

RB: What is wrong with the valley to make an O’Neil fell?

DP: It’s too hard for him.

RB: Speaking of O’Neil, have you ever climbed another valley with him?

DP: I can’t remember.

RB: So, you barely know O’Neil?

DP: I know O’Neil well.

RB: I see.

DP: Yes.

RB: So, you climbed other valleys with other people, right?

DP: Right.

RB: Do you think you are better than other people?

DP: Yes.

RB: Why would you think in such way.

DP: Because they can’t keep up.

RB: Do you think that you are the best climber in the world?

DP: No.

RB: Would you climb this valley again with other people?

DP: Maybe.

RB: Thank you for your time, Mr. Dean Potter. I hope you have a nice day after this, and that you can succeed in other things in life. Goodbye.

DP: Bye.