The Taipei 101 skyscraper was the tallest building in the world until 2004.Image: keystone
US free climber Alex Honnold has fulfilled his dream of climbing a skyscraper. The 40-year-old climbed the 508-meter-high Taipei 101 in Taiwan’s capital in around an hour and a half without any protection.
January 25, 2026, 05:5801/25/2026, 06:06
“I’m totally hyped, unbelievable!” said Honnold after he finally made it. The extreme athlete first took a selfie at the top of the building before waving to the cheering crowd on the ground. Honnold, who is considered one of the best free climbers in the world, needed one hour and almost 32 minutes to climb the facade of the pagoda-like high-rise building.
Honnold at the top of the 508 meter high tower.Image: x
The campaign, which was broadcast live on Netflix, had attracted criticism in advance – because of the commercialization of a potentially life-threatening undertaking, but also because of Honnold’s handling of the risk. The American is the father of two small children. More about the classification can be found here:
First attempt was postponed
Due to rain, a first climbing attempt on Saturday morning in Taipei was canceled and postponed to Sunday. They are dependent on the grace of nature, emphasized the star climber, who had practiced with rope on Taipei 101 in the previous days. Honnold spent around two and a half months preparing specifically for the skyscraper.
Honnold became known as a free climber, i.e. a climber who forgoes safety. Before his projects, however, he practices with normal security methods – including in the run-up to the live spectacle in Taipei, which Netflix called “Skyscraper live”.
During the climb, Honnold was repeatedly photographed and loudly cheered on by onlookers behind the windows of the office floors. However, he didn’t let that deter him: It was cool to share the experience with all the people, said Honnold.
Honnold during the “ascension”.Image: x
Understanding of criticism
Honnold is expected to receive a mid-six-figure dollar amount from Netflix for the campaign, as the New York Times reported, citing anonymous sources. He himself simply told the US daily that it would be an “embarrassingly high amount,” but that he would also climb the skyscraper for free.
“If you fall, you die,” he said before the climbing event.
“I’m used to the fear now. She always climbs with me.”
He can “totally understand” criticism of his skyscraper project. But if other free climbers had the opportunity to climb it, they would do it too. “People look at the project and say: This is risky or dangerous. But for me it’s not that different from what I usually do,” he said.
Honnold gained great fame beyond the free climbing scene through the film “Free Solo”. The production won the Oscar for best documentary in 2019. It shows Honnold conquering the 915-meter wall of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. The extreme athlete has been climbing for around 30 years. (con/sda/dpa)