Rock climber Alex Honnold, of the U.S., performs a free solo climb of the Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taipei, Taiwan, Sunday, Jan. 25. 2026.
Chiang Ying-ying/AP
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Chiang Ying-ying/AP
TAIPEI, Taiwan — American rock climber Alex Honnold ascended the Taipei 101 skyscraper on Sunday with none ropes or protecting gear.
Cheers erupted from a street-level crowd as he reached the highest of the spire of the 508-meter (1,667-foot) tower about 90 minutes after he began. Carrying a pink short-sleeve shirt, Honnold waved his arms backwards and forwards over his head.
“It was like what a view, it’s incredible, what a beautiful day,” he stated afterward. “It was very windy, so I was like, don’t fall off the spire. I was trying to balance nicely. But it was, what an incredible position, what a beautiful way to see Taipei.”
Rock climber Alex Honnold, of the U.S., raises his fist as he climbs on prime of the Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taipei, Taiwan, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026.
Chiang Ying-ying/AP
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Chiang Ying-ying/AP
Honnold, identified for his ropeless ascent up Yosemite Nationwide Park’s El Capitan, climbed up one nook of Taipei 101 utilizing small L-shaped outcroppings as footholds. Periodically, he needed to maneuver round and clamber up the perimeters of huge decorative constructions that jut out from the tower, pulling himself up together with his naked arms.
The constructing has 101 flooring, with the toughest half being the 64 flooring of the center part — the “bamboo boxes” that give the constructing its signature look. Divided into eight, every section has eight flooring of steep, overhanging climbing adopted by balconies, the place he took quick rests as he made his approach upward.
Honnold’s free solo climb of the enduring constructing in Taiwan’s capital metropolis was broadcast reside on Netflix with a 10-second delay. The ascent, initially scheduled for Saturday, was delayed for twenty-four hours resulting from rain.
Having a cheering crowd was uncommon and a bit unnerving at first for Honnold, whose climbs are often in distant areas.
“When I was leaving the ground, you’re like oh it’s kind of intense, there’s so many people watching,” he stated. “But then honestly, they’re all wishing me well. I mean basically it just makes the whole experience feel almost more festive, all these nice people are out supporting me and having a good time.”
The climb drew each pleasure and concern over the moral implications of trying such a high-risk endeavor on reside broadcast.
Honnold is not the primary climber to ascend Taipei 101, however he’s the primary to take action with no rope. French rock climber Alain Robert scaled the constructing on Christmas Day in 2004 as a part of the grand opening of what was then the world’s tallest constructing.
