Alex Honnold Free-Solos Taipei 101 in Daring Live Climb

American rock climber Alex Honnold made it to the top of Taipei 101, Taiwan's tallest building, without ropes or any safety gear. The 40-year-old completed the 1,667-foot ascent in about 90 minutes on Sunday, after a one-day delay due to rain. The event aired live on Netflix's Skyscraper Live show, watched by millions around the world.

Background

Alex Honnold has built a name in climbing over 30 years. He first caught wide attention in 2017 by free soloing El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. That meant climbing the 3,000-foot granite wall with no ropes, a move that won him an Oscar for the film Free Solo in 2018. Free soloing leaves no room for error—one slip ends it all.

Taipei 101 stands in Taiwan's capital as a symbol of modern engineering. Opened in 2004, it held the title of world's tallest building until 2010. The tower rises 101 stories with a spire that pushes it to 508 meters. Its design includes stacked "bamboo box" sections in the middle, plus balconies every few floors. Those features helped make the climb possible, though still extremely risky.

Honnold had never free soloed a man-made structure like this before. He picked one corner of the building to scale, using small L-shaped metal outcroppings for his feet and hands. Large decorative elements stuck out from the sides, forcing him to pull his body weight up around them. The middle 64 floors, with their overhanging sections, proved the toughest part.

The climb came as part of a Netflix special called Skyscraper Live. It drew a crowd to the streets below, who watched him start in a red short-sleeve shirt. Organizers added a 10-second broadcast delay for safety reasons. Rain the day before pushed the start from Saturday to Sunday.

French climber Alain Robert had gone up the same building in 2004, but with ropes. His climb marked the grand opening when Taipei 101 was still the tallest on earth. Honnold's effort stands as the first ropeless version.

Key Details

Honnold started the climb early Sunday morning local time. He moved steadily up the lower sections, gripping metal beams and footholds. Crowds below cheered as he paused now and then on balconies to catch his breath. One moment caught everyone's eye: he hung from his legs off a balcony edge, facing the onlookers before continuing.

The bamboo box sections came next. Each of the eight segments meant eight floors of steep overhangs. He had to climb nearly straight up, using just his arms and chalked hands. Balconies at the end of each let him rest briefly. From there, he pushed to the upper floors and finally the spire.

At the top, he waved his arms over his head. Cheers exploded from the street crowd. The whole thing took 90 minutes, a pace that showed his skill and preparation.

Payment and Motivation

Honnold spoke openly about why he did the climb. He told reporters he would have scaled the building for free if given permission. The Netflix deal changed that.

"I'm not getting paid to climb the building. I'm getting paid for the spectacle. I'm climbing the building for free." – Alex Honnold

He called his pay an "embarrassing amount," especially compared to big sports contracts. Reports put it in the mid-six figures. Honnold stressed the thrill of the top: sitting alone on the spire would have been enough reward.

Risks and Safety Notes

Free solo means total commitment. A fall from high up would kill, though the building's balconies offered catch points in spots. Honnold noted this made it safer than some rock faces. Still, the live broadcast raised questions. Some worried about turning extreme risk into entertainment. Others praised the display of human limits.

What This Means

Honnold's climb shifts his career from wild rocks to city skylines. It tests skills on smooth metal and planned geometry, different from jagged cliffs. Success opens doors to more urban challenges, where permits and crowds add layers.

For Taipei 101, the event spotlights the building anew. Once a record-breaker, it now hosts stunts that mix danger with tourism. Local officials allowed the climb under tight controls, balancing thrill and public safety.

The Netflix broadcast reaches a huge audience. It builds on Free Solo's fame, pulling in climbers and casual viewers. Debates over ethics linger: does paying for danger glorify recklessness? Honnold sees it as sharing what drives him.

Climbing communities watch closely. Free solo remains elite and rare. Honnold's clean run reinforces his top status. Younger climbers may draw inspiration, though mentors stress years of training behind such feats.

Taiwan's scene gets a boost too. The crowd's energy showed local pride. Events like this could draw more international eyes to the island's landmarks.

Broader talks on risk in sports continue. Extreme acts on live TV mix awe with concern. Organizers point to delays and safety nets in production. Honnold keeps focus on the act itself: pure movement against gravity.

His words sum the pull.

"Just sitting by yourself on the very top of the spire is insane." – Alex Honnold

The climb ends one chapter. Eyes turn to what peak he picks next.