It wasn’t a typical Sunday morning in Taipei when daredevil climber Alex Honnold decided to challenge one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
The 40-year-old American stunned spectators worldwide by scaling the 101-story Taipei 101 skyscraper without any ropes—a feat that had adrenaline junkies holding their breath and the city’s streets cheering him on.
A Staggering Ascent on Live Stream
Honnold’s jaw-dropping climb, which reached 1,667 feet, was broadcast by Netflix with a precautionary 10-second delay, just in case the unimaginable happened.
About 90 minutes after starting, Honnold emerged at the spire, wearing a bright red short-sleeve shirt, waving to the crowd, and snapping selfies.
Street-level spectators erupted in cheers, witnessing the nerve-wracking spectacle unfold in real time.
Small Pay, Big Passion
Despite the global attention, Honnold revealed to The New York Times that he earned a “mid six-figure sum” for the stunt—a figure he described as “embarrassingly small.”
He admitted that he would have attempted the climb even without any TV coverage if Taipei 101 had given him permission.
“If there was no TV program and the building gave me permission to go do the thing, I would do the thing because I know I can, and it’d be amazing,” he said.
Technical Challenges on the Tower
Honnold’s climb required intense precision and strength.
He navigated a corner of Taipei 101 using tiny L-shaped ledges as footholds, occasionally pulling himself around large ornamental structures jutting from the tower with nothing but his bare hands.
The most challenging segment was the 64 floors of the middle section, known as the “bamboo boxes” that define the building’s unique appearance.
Each of the eight segments combined eight floors of steep, overhanging climbs with short balcony rests—a rhythm that kept both climber and audience on edge.
Experiencing Taipei from the Top
After completing the climb, Honnold reflected on the experience with his trademark mix of awe and humor.
“It was like… what a view. Incredible. Such a beautiful day,” he said.
“It was very windy, so I was like, don’t fall off the spire. I was trying to balance nicely. But it was an incredible position—a beautiful way to see Taipei.”
The cheering crowd, unusual for Honnold’s usual remote climbs, added an extra layer of intensity.
“When I was leaving the ground, you’re like, oh, it’s kind of intense, there’s so many people watching.]
But honestly, they’re all wishing me well. It makes the experience feel festive—people out supporting me and having a good time.”
A History of Skyscraper Climbs
While Honnold is not the first person to scale Taipei 101, he is the first to do so without ropes.
French climber Alain Robert previously ascended the building in 2004 during the grand opening of the then-world’s tallest skyscraper, taking nearly four hours while nursing an injured elbow in harsh weather—almost double Honnold’s time.
Training, Strategy, and Confidence
Months of preparation paid off for Honnold, who had practiced moves on the building itself.
Speaking on a climbing podcast, he admitted that he didn’t anticipate major difficulties.
“I don’t think it’ll be that extreme,” he said.
“It’s the perfect sweet spot—hard enough to be engaging for me, but still an interesting climb.”
What’s Next for the Climbing Icon?
Fans are left wondering what Honnold’s next adventure will be.
Married with two young daughters, the stakes are higher, but his appetite for challenging climbs shows no signs of slowing down.
For now, Taipei 101 has become a new benchmark in a career defined by courage, skill, and a hint of calculated risk.
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