Daredevil climber Alex Honnold stunned fans around the world when he scaled the iconic Taipei 101 tower in Taiwan — all without ropes.
The 40-year-old American, famous for his ropeless ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite, completed the 1,667-foot climb in just about 90 minutes, wowing crowds and viewers alike.
A Crowd Watches a Death-Defying Feat
Unlike his usual remote climbs, Honnold was cheered on by a lively street-level crowd as he reached the top of the spire.
Wearing a bright red short-sleeve shirt, he waved to onlookers and even snapped selfies at the summit.
The climb was broadcast live by Netflix, though on a brief ten-second delay for safety reasons.
“It was incredible,” Honnold later said. “The view was stunning.
It was windy, so I kept reminding myself not to fall off the spire.
But honestly, having everyone there cheering made it feel festive. It was kind of nice.”
Small Fee, Big Thrill
Despite the global attention and high-risk nature of the stunt, Honnold revealed that his paycheck was modest by Hollywood standards.
Reports indicate he received a mid-six-figure sum for the climb — which he described as “embarrassingly small.”
He also admitted that he would have attempted the climb for free if the building had granted permission without Netflix’s involvement.
“If there was no TV program and the building said I could just do it, I would,” he said.
“I know I can, and it would be amazing.”
Climbing the Tower, Step by Step
Honnold tackled Taipei 101 by hugging one corner of the building, using tiny L-shaped protrusions as footholds.
Along the way, he had to maneuver around the tower’s distinctive ornamental structures, hoisting himself with bare hands.
The middle section, known as the “bamboo boxes,” posed the toughest challenge.
Comprising 64 floors divided into eight segments of eight floors each, these steep, overhanging sections required careful balancing and bursts of strength, with brief rests at balcony intervals.
“I’ve done big climbs before, but this view… wow,” Honnold said.
“It’s a beautiful day, a beautiful city, and the height really puts everything into perspective.”
Risk, Training, and Motivation
Honnold’s climbs are usually remote and quiet, so performing in front of cheering fans was a new experience.
“At first, it was a little unnerving,” he admitted. “But honestly, everyone was rooting for me.
It made the whole experience feel celebratory.”
Some observers questioned why a married father of two would risk such a dangerous stunt.
Honnold, however, trained extensively for months and assured fans the climb was well within his capabilities.
Speaking on a climbing podcast, he said, “I don’t think it’ll be that extreme.
It’s the perfect balance — challenging enough to be fun, but safe enough to actually enjoy.”
A First Without Ropes
While Honnold isn’t the first person to climb Taipei 101 — French climber Alain Robert reached the top in 2004 — he is the first to do so without any safety ropes.
Robert took nearly four hours to finish, battling wind, rain, and an injured elbow, nearly double Honnold’s time.
Honnold’s achievement marks yet another milestone in the world of extreme climbing, demonstrating not only skill and courage but also his unique ability to blend precision with audacity.
What’s Next for Honnold?
After such a high-profile climb, fans are already speculating about his next adventure.
True to form, Honnold remains focused on challenges that excite him rather than chase fame or fortune.
For now, he seems content soaking in the view from the top — and perhaps planning his next jaw-dropping ascent.
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