American Climber Conquers Taipei 101 in World’s Largest Urban Free Solo
American rock climber Alex Honnold cemented his legacy as the world’s premier free soloist on Sunday, becoming the first person to scale the 508-meter Taipei 101 skyscraper without ropes, harnesses, or safety equipment. The 1,667-foot ascent, completed in approximately 92 minutes, was broadcast globally as part of a Netflix live event titled "Skyscraper Live".
Honnold, 40, reached the pinnacle of the iconic Taiwanese landmark at approximately 10:32 a.m. local time, emerging onto the final spire to the cheers of thousands of spectators gathered in the streets of the Xinyi District. Wearing a simple red short-sleeved shirt and a chalk bag, the climber raised his arms in a victory salute before taking a celebratory selfie above the clouds.
The climb was initially scheduled for Saturday but was postponed by 24 hours due to heavy rain that rendered the building’s steel and glass exterior dangerously slick. On Sunday, despite clear skies, Honnold faced significant wind resistance as he neared the top of the tower, which was once the world's tallest building.
"It was very windy, so I was like, don't fall off the spire. I was trying to balance nicely," Honnold told the Associated Press following the feat. "But it was—what an incredible position, what a beautiful way to see Taipei."
The route required Honnold to navigate the building’s unique "bamboo box" architecture, which consists of eight segments of eight floors each. He relied on narrow, L-shaped metal outcroppings and decorative motifs as handholds, at times pulling his entire body weight around large ornamental structures that jut out from the facade.
Unlike his famous 2017 ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, which took place in near-solitude, the Taipei climb was a high-production spectacle. Netflix utilised a 10-second broadcast delay for safety and featured a commentary team that included WWE star Seth Rollins.
The presence of a crowd provided a different psychological challenge for the climber. Honnold admitted that leaving the ground felt "intense" with so many eyes on him, but said the energy eventually became a positive factor. "Honestly, they're all wishing me well. It just makes the whole experience feel almost more festive," he noted during the broadcast.
While French climber Alain Robert, known as the "French Spiderman", successfully scaled Taipei 101 in 2004, he utilised ropes and a safety belt. Honnold’s achievement marks the first time the tower has been conquered entirely unaided, a feat described by organisers as the largest urban free solo ever attempted.
Following the climb, Honnold reunited with his wife, Sanni McCandless, on a nearby balcony. McCandless said she was "basically having a panic attack the entire time," despite Honnold’s characteristic composure.
