US Climber Alex Honnold Conquers Taipei 101 Without Safety Gear

A remarkable ascent took place in Taipei when US rock climber Alex Honnold successfully scaled the 101-storey Taipei 101 skyscraper without the use of ropes, harnesses, or safety nets. This unprecedented feat drew cheers from hundreds of onlookers gathered below as Honnold reached the spire of the 508 metre (1,667 ft) structure approximately 90 minutes after beginning his climb.

Dressed in a red short-sleeve shirt, Honnold celebrated his achievement by waving his arms in triumph. Later, he shared his exhilaration, stating, “It was like what a view, it’s incredible, what a beautiful day. It was very windy, so I was like, don’t fall off the spire.” The climber expressed his gratitude for the stunning vantage point, describing the experience as “incredible” and a beautiful way to see Taipei.

Honnold, renowned for his ropeless ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, utilized small L-shaped outcroppings on the corner of Taipei 101 as footholds. He navigated around and scaled large ornamental structures that protrude from the tower, relying solely on his bare hands. The most challenging section of the climb involved the 64 floors of the building’s middle section, characterized by the “bamboo boxes” that define its unique appearance.

Each segment of the building comprises eight floors of steep, overhanging climbing, interspersed with balconies where he took brief rests during the ascent. Honnold’s free solo climb was broadcast live on Netflix with a 10-second delay. Initially planned for the previous day, the event was postponed for 24 hours due to rain.

The presence of a cheering crowd was a departure from Honnold’s typical climbs, which often occur in secluded locations. “When I was leaving the ground, you’re like ‘oh it’s kind of intense, there’s so many people watching,’” he remarked. “But then honestly, they’re all wishing me well. It just makes the whole experience feel almost more festive.”

While Honnold’s ascent generated excitement, it also sparked discussions about the ethical implications of undertaking such a high-risk challenge during a live broadcast. Although he is not the first climber to tackle Taipei 101, he is the first to do so without any safety equipment. French climber Alain Robert, known as “the French Spiderman,” scaled the same building on December 25, 2004, using safety ropes due to rainy conditions.

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te publicly congratulated Honnold via a Facebook post, describing the challenge as “truly moving” and noting that “the climb was tense, setting hearts racing.” The chairwoman of Taipei 101, Janet Chia, expressed her appreciation on social media for the fans who traveled from places like Singapore and southern Taiwan to witness the climb, while also apologizing for the event’s delay.

Honnold’s successful ascent stands as a testament to his extraordinary climbing skills and determination, further solidifying his status as one of the world’s leading climbers.