TAIPEI, Taiwan — American professional climber Alex Honnold made history, by becoming the first person to “free solo”—climb without ropes, harnesses, or safety gear—the iconic Taipei 101 skyscraper.
The death-defying feat, titled “Skyscraper Live,” was broadcast globally to millions via Netflix, capturing the world’s attention as Honnold scaled one of the tallest buildings in Asia.
The Ascent Dressed in a simple red T-shirt and custom yellow climbing shoes, the 40-year-old Honnold began his ascent of the 1,667-foot (508-meter) tower on Sunday morning after a one-day delay due to poor weather.
- Duration: The climb took exactly 1 hour and 35 minutes to reach the summit.
- Route: Honnold scaled the building’s southeast face, moving swiftly across the glass and steel exterior.
- The Experience: At the 89th-floor observation deck, stunned tourists watched from the other side of the glass as Honnold scrambled past. He even paused midway up the building to wave at the crowds gathered at the base.
The Reaction Hundreds of spectators gathered at the foot of the tower, with some traveling from as far as Singapore and Hong Kong to witness the event.
- “Sick”: Upon reaching the top and looking down at the city, Honnold’s first words were a succinct “Sick,” as captured by his body-worn microphone.
- A Lifelong Dream: Honnold described the climb as a “lifelong dream” and the “biggest urban free-solo climb” ever attempted.
- Comparison: While “French Spiderman” Alain Robert climbed the building in 2004, he did so using safety ropes in rainy conditions. Honnold’s feat is distinguished by the total absence of safety equipment.
Legacy of a Daredevil Alex Honnold gained worldwide fame for his 2017 free solo of Yosemite’s El Capitan, featured in the Oscar-winning documentary Free Solo. His successful ascent of Taipei 101 marks a significant transition from natural rock monoliths to the world’s most challenging man-made structures.
Taipei 101 chairwoman Janet Chia praised the event as “epic” and thanked the fans who waited through the weather delay to see the historic moment. The climb is expected to be featured in a future Netflix documentary detailing the preparation and technical challenges of “urban free soloing.”