TAIPEI, TAIWAN — In a display of physical prowess and mental fortification that left a global audience breathless, American rock climber Alex Honnold successfully scaled the Taipei 101 skyscraper on Sunday, becoming the first person to summit the 1,667-foot (508-meter) tower without ropes or safety equipment.
The 40-year-old athlete, world-renowned for his ropeless ascent of Yosemite’s El Capitan, completed the “urban free solo” in one hour, 31 minutes, and 35 seconds. The feat, broadcast live to millions on Netflix under the title Skyscraper Live, was originally scheduled for Saturday but was delayed 24 hours due to inclement weather—a rain-slicked surface being the one variable even Honnold cannot negotiate.
“It was very windy up there,” a characteristically calm Honnold said after hauling himself over the final steel ledge of the spire. “I was just telling myself, ‘Don’t fall off the spire.’ But what an incredible position—what a beautiful way to see Taipei.”
The Anatomy of the Ascent
Climbing a skyscraper presents a set of challenges far removed from the granite cracks of the Sierra Nevada. Honnold described the building’s geometry as repetitive, requiring a “metronomic” focus to avoid a fatal lapse in concentration.
- The Bamboo Boxes: The most grueling segment involved the 64 floors of the central tower, designed to resemble segments of a bamboo stalk. These eight sections feature steep, overhanging angles of 10 to 15 degrees, requiring immense upper-body strength.
- The L-Ledge Technique: Honnold moved primarily along one corner of the building, utilizing small, L-shaped protrusions as finger-holds and footholds.
- The Spire Finish: The final stage saw Honnold contending with high-altitude gusts as the building narrowed into a needle-like peak. At several points, he was seen “campusing”—climbing with only his hands while his feet dangled over the abyss.
Image source: Netflix
A Global Spectacle on a 10-Second Delay
The live-streamed nature of the climb drew both awe and ethical debate. To protect viewers from a potential tragedy, Netflix operated on a 10-second delay, though the tension was palpable for the commentators—which included WWE’s Seth Rollins and climbing legend Emily Harrington.
Throughout the climb, Honnold remained mic’d up, offering surreal commentary to his wife, Sanni McCandless, and the millions watching. “The view’s amazing,” he remarked while passing the 60th floor. “Look at Taipei, it’s so cool.”
| Milestone | Time (Local) | Event |
| 09:11 AM | Start | Honnold begins ascent at the corner base. |
| 09:45 AM | Halfway | Reaches the midpoint of the “Bamboo Box” section. |
| 10:15 AM | The Spire | Begins the final, wind-whipped vertical spire. |
| 10:43 AM | Summit | Reaches the 101st floor; reunites with Sanni. |
The Urban Frontier
While French “Spider-Man” Alain Robert scaled Taipei 101 in 2004, he utilized ropes and took four hours to reach the top. Honnold’s barehanded, ropeless approach marks the pinnacle of “urban soloing.”
“I’m not getting paid to climb the building; I’m getting paid for the spectacle,” Honnold told reporters, addressing the rumored mid-six-figure fee he received for the broadcast. He insisted that if the cameras hadn’t been there, he would have done it anyway for the “pure joy” of the movement.
As the sun set over Taipei, the iconic green tower stood as a monument to a man who has spent his life widening his “comfort zone” until it encompasses the sky itself. For Honnold, it was just another day at the office—albeit one with a significantly higher window.