American rock climber Alex Honnold on Sunday successfully climbed Taipei 101, one of the world’s tallest skyscrapers, without using ropes or protective equipment, drawing cheers from crowds below and global attention online.
Honnold reached the top of the 508-metre (1,667-foot) tower approximately 90 minutes after beginning the ascent. Wearing a red short-sleeve shirt, he celebrated at the summit by waving to spectators gathered at street level.
“It was incredible what a beautiful day,” Honnold said after completing the climb. “It was very windy, so I was thinking, don’t fall off the spire. But what an incredible position and what a beautiful way to see Taipei.”
The climber ascended one corner of the building, using small L-shaped architectural outcroppings as footholds. He also maneuvered around large ornamental structures protruding from the tower, pulling himself upward using only his hands.
Taipei 101’s design posed a significant challenge, particularly the middle section known as the “bamboo boxes”, which give the building its iconic appearance. This portion consists of eight stacked segments, each containing eight floors of steep, overhanging surfaces followed by balcony sections where Honnold briefly rested before continuing.
The climb was broadcast live on Netflix with a 10-second delay. Originally scheduled for Saturday, the ascent was postponed by a day due to rain.
Honnold, best known for his historic free solo climb of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, said the presence of a cheering crowd was unusual and initially unsettling.
“When I was leaving the ground, it felt intense because there were so many people watching,” he said. “But honestly, everyone was wishing me well. It made the experience feel almost festive.”
While the climb generated excitement, it also reignited debate over the ethical concerns of broadcasting high-risk stunts live.
Honnold is not the first climber to scale Taipei 101. French climber Alain Robert ascended the building with ropes on Christmas Day in 2004, during its grand opening celebrations. However, Honnold is the first to complete the ascent without any safety equipment.
Short Summary
American climber Alex Honnold climbed Taipei 101 without ropes or protective gear, completing the 508-metre ascent in about 90 minutes. Broadcast live on Netflix, the climb drew global attention and renewed debate over the risks of live extreme sports.
