American rock climber Alex Honnold achieved an impressive feat by climbing the Taipei 101 skyscraper without any ropes or protective gear. The 508-meter ascent drew cheers from spectators as Honnold utilized horizontal metal beams to ascend with only his hands.
During the climb, Honnold paused at one point, turning to face the onlookers clad in a standout red short-sleeve shirt. The climb was originally scheduled for Saturday but got delayed by 24 hours due to rainy weather conditions, with the live broadcast on Netflix featuring a 10-second delay.
This daring free solo climb in Taiwan’s capital sparked a mix of excitement and ethical concerns regarding the risks involved in such a high-profile endeavor being broadcast live. Honnold, renowned for his ropeless climb up El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, navigated the Taipei 101 using small footholds and maneuvering around ornamental structures that protrude from the tower.
The iconic building boasts 101 floors, with the most challenging section being the 64 floors in the middle, known as the “bamboo boxes.” These segments feature steep, overhanging climbing followed by balconies where Honnold took short breaks as he ascended. While Honnold wasn’t the first climber to conquer the skyscraper, he distinguished himself by being the first to achieve this feat without a safety rope, unlike French climber Alain Robert who scaled it on Christmas Day in 2004 using traditional climbing equipment.
