Alex Honnold Completes Free Solo Climb of Taipei 101

American rock climber Alex Honnold achieved a free solo ascent of Taipei 101 in Taipei, Taiwan, on Sunday, scaling the 508-meter (1,667-foot) skyscraper without ropes or protective equipment. The climb, which took approximately 90 minutes, was broadcast live on Netflix.

Honnold began his ascent at 9:00 a.m. local time, navigating the building's exterior using small L-shaped outcroppings and balconies as footholds. He reached the spire at 10:43 a.m., where he took a selfie and expressed his excitement, stating, "This is so cool. I'm so psyched. And you know what, pretty tired actually. The whole top of the building is pretty physical. So amazing."

The event attracted a large crowd in Taipei's Xinyi District, who cheered as Honnold progressed. The climb was initially scheduled for Saturday but was postponed by 24 hours due to rain.

Honnold, renowned for his ropeless ascent of Yosemite's El Capitan, described the view from the top as incredible and noted the challenge of balancing in strong winds. He is the first to climb Taipei 101 without safety equipment, following French climber Alain Robert's roped ascent during the building's opening in 2004.

The live broadcast of such a high-risk endeavor has sparked both excitement and ethical concerns regarding the implications of televising dangerous stunts. Critics question the morality of broadcasting life-threatening feats, while supporters view Honnold's efforts as a form of artistic expression and a hallmark of climbing culture.