Renowned American rock climber Alex Honnold etched his name into history once again with a breathtaking free-solo ascent of Taipei 101, scaling the iconic skyscraper without ropes or protective equipment.
The daring feat, completed in Taiwan’s capital, showcased Honnold’s extraordinary precision and courage, drawing crowds below and global attention as he conquered one of the world’s tallest buildings.
According to the Associated Press, cheers erupted from street-level spectators on Sunday as Honnold reached the spire of the 508-metre (1,667-foot) tower nearly 90 minutes after beginning his climb. Wearing a red short-sleeve shirt, he celebrated at the summit by waving to onlookers gathered below.
Speaking afterward, Honnold described the moment as unforgettable, calling the panoramic view “incredible” and the day “beautiful,” while admitting strong winds made the final stretch especially challenging.
Despite the pressure of performing before hundreds of spectators, he said the overwhelming support from the crowd transformed the high-risk climb into an uplifting, almost festive experience.
Globally recognized for his rope-free ascent of Yosemite National Park’s El Capitan, Honnold tackled Taipei 101 by climbing along one corner of the skyscraper, relying on small L-shaped ledges as footholds. At several points, he maneuvered around massive ornamental structures protruding from the tower, pulling himself upward using only his hands.
The 101-storey building posed its toughest challenge across the central “bamboo box” section, featuring steep overhangs followed by balcony platforms where Honnold briefly paused before continuing his ascent.
The historic climb was streamed live on Netflix with a short delay. Originally scheduled for Saturday, the attempt was postponed by 24 hours due to rain.
