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American rock climber Alex Honnold completed a breathtaking free solo ascent of Taipei 101, Taiwan’s iconic skyscraper, on Sunday morning, scaling the 508-meter (1,667-foot) tower without ropes or safety equipment in approximately 90 minutes.
Cheers erupted from spectators gathered below as Honnold reached the building’s spire, where he celebrated his achievement by waving his arms triumphantly. Dressed in a simple red short-sleeve shirt, the climber appeared exhilarated but calm after his death-defying feat.
“It was like what a view, it’s incredible, what a beautiful day,” Honnold said following the climb. “It was very windy, so I was like, don’t fall off the spire. I was trying to balance nicely. But it was, what an incredible position, what a beautiful way to see Taipei.”
The 38-year-old Honnold, who gained international fame for his ropeless ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park — documented in the Oscar-winning film “Free Solo” — tackled the Taipei skyscraper by climbing up one corner, using small L-shaped outcroppings as footholds. The building’s unique architectural features presented additional challenges, requiring him to maneuver around large ornamental structures jutting from the tower using only his hands and remarkable grip strength.
Taipei 101, formerly the world’s tallest building until surpassed by Dubai’s Burj Khalifa in 2010, presented a particularly demanding challenge with its 101 floors. The most difficult section was the middle 64 floors — known as the “bamboo boxes” that give the building its distinctive appearance. This segment was divided into eight sections, each requiring Honnold to overcome eight floors of steep, overhanging climbing before reaching balconies where he could briefly rest.
The historic climb was broadcast live on Netflix with a 10-second delay, marking a new level of mainstream exposure for the extreme sport of free soloing. Originally scheduled for Saturday, the attempt was postponed 24 hours due to rain, which would have made the building’s surface dangerously slick.
Unlike his typical climbs in remote wilderness locations, Honnold faced the unusual experience of performing before a large crowd of onlookers.
“When I was leaving the ground, you’re like oh it’s kind of intense, there’s so many people watching,” he reflected afterward. “But then honestly, they’re all wishing me well. I mean basically it just makes the whole experience feel almost more festive, all these nice people are out supporting me and having a good time.”
The event generated significant buzz in Taiwan and within the climbing community worldwide, though some expressed ethical concerns about broadcasting such a high-risk activity live, where a fatal fall could potentially occur on camera. Netflix’s decision to include a delay was likely influenced by these considerations.
While Honnold is the first to ascend Taipei 101 without ropes, he isn’t the first climber to scale the building. French climber Alain Robert, known as “the French Spider-Man,” climbed the skyscraper on Christmas Day in 2004 as part of the grand opening celebrations when it was still the world’s tallest building.
The successful ascent adds another remarkable achievement to Honnold’s already legendary climbing career. His ability to maintain focus and composure while navigating the vertical urban landscape of glass and steel—with no margin for error—once again demonstrates the extraordinary physical and mental discipline that has made him one of the world’s most recognized adventure athletes.
Taiwanese authorities had granted special permission for the climb, which required extensive preparation and coordination. The event also provided global exposure for Taipei, showcasing one of Asia’s most distinctive architectural landmarks to viewers worldwide through the lens of extreme sports.
For Honnold, whose previous urban climbs have included skyscrapers in New York and San Francisco, the successful ascent of Taipei 101 represents another boundary-pushing achievement in a career defined by redefining what’s humanly possible in the vertical world.
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10 Comments
Wow, Alex Honnold’s free solo climb of Taipei 101 is absolutely jaw-dropping. The sheer skill and bravery required to scale a 1,667-foot skyscraper without any ropes or safety gear is truly remarkable. This man is in a league of his own when it comes to death-defying feats of rock climbing.
This is the kind of record-breaking achievement that really captures the public’s imagination. Honnold’s free solo ascents have already made him a legend in the climbing world, and this latest feat will only cement his status as one of the true pioneers of the sport.
As someone who has followed Honnold’s career closely, I’m both amazed and slightly concerned by this latest achievement. While his skill and bravery are undeniable, the risks involved in free soloing a major skyscraper are immense. I hope he and his team are taking every possible precaution to ensure his safety, both during the climb and in the aftermath.
Kudos to Alex Honnold for pushing the boundaries of human capability yet again. As someone who has followed his career, I’m always amazed by his relentless pursuit of the next big challenge. This skyscraper climb is a true testament to his skill, focus, and sheer physical and mental strength.
I can’t even imagine the mental focus and physical conditioning it takes to pull off a stunt like this. Honnold’s calm demeanor and apparent enjoyment of the views from the top are a testament to his mastery of the sport. This is the kind of achievement that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in climbing.
Absolutely. Honnold’s ability to remain so composed and in control during such a high-stakes climb is simply astonishing. It’s no wonder he’s considered one of the greatest rock climbers of all time.
I’m curious to know more about the specific techniques and preparation Honnold used to tackle the unique architectural challenges of Taipei 101. The article mentions the building’s features required some creative maneuvering – I’d love to hear the details of how he approached that.
While the thrill-seeking aspect of Honnold’s climbs is undeniable, I hope he and his team are also considering the broader implications and potential impact of these high-profile stunts. Free soloing a major skyscraper, no matter how skilled the climber, could set a dangerous precedent or inspire copycat attempts.
Honnold’s Taipei 101 climb is yet another example of the incredible feats he’s capable of. The fact that he was able to scale a 1,667-foot tower in just 90 minutes, without any ropes or safety gear, is simply mind-blowing. This guy is operating on a completely different level when it comes to rock climbing.
While I’m in awe of Honnold’s skill, I can’t help but feel a bit uneasy about the safety implications of this climb. Free soloing a skyscraper, no matter how skilled the climber, seems incredibly risky and dangerous. I hope he and his team took every possible precaution to ensure this was as safe as such a feat can be.