Back then, i think most people that actually climbed were by and large much more confident/secure/ and stable in ow and squeeze action than today...in fact OW were sought out as a reliable weakness to follow...he probably figured he could just downclimb it...
I remember talking to bridwell at the base of ElCap and how he was saying that back then, all ow were basically solos and he specifically described Sachar's ascent of Ahab...and Pratt (I think?) on Twilight Zone...that was just the way it was done back then and i don't think Cameron had any different/special mindset than the valley guys did...
i'm glad that i climb in the "cam-era"...i would not have climbed back then, i think...my nutz are totally insufficient for that stuff!!!!
DarrylC...what are your thoughts on this? Being an ex-cali lad and all...
you can not train for this stuff in the gyms...