Alex Honnold, the renowned American rock climber from Sacramento, California, is no stranger to extreme risk. Famous for his ropeless ascents in some of the world’s most unforgiving locations, Honnold added another historic feat to his résumé on January 24, 2026. This time, his challenge unfolded not in a remote wilderness, but in the middle of a bustling city, as he took on one of the tallest skyscrapers on Earth in Taipei, Taiwan.
Rising 508 meters (1,667 feet) into the sky, Taipei 101 became the stage for Honnold’s daring climb. At 40 years old, he ascended the exterior of the skyscraper entirely alone, without ropes, harnesses, or protective equipment. Weather concerns initially delayed the attempt by 24 hours, as rain posed a serious safety risk. Once conditions improved, Honnold began the climb, relying solely on his skill, balance, and focus to navigate the towering structure.
The ascent lasted approximately 90 minutes and concluded with Honnold standing triumphantly atop the building’s spire, arms raised above his head. The entire climb was broadcast live on Netflix with a brief delay, allowing viewers around the world to witness the moment in near real time. Reflecting on the experience afterward, Honnold described the view as stunning and admitted that the strong winds near the top demanded careful control and composure as he balanced high above the city.
Throughout the climb, Honnold made use of small architectural features built into Taipei 101, including narrow ledges, L-shaped outcroppings, and balconies that offered brief moments of rest. While he is accustomed to scaling massive rock faces like Yosemite’s 3,000-foot El Capitan, the urban setting introduced a different kind of pressure. The presence of large crowds watching from below initially felt overwhelming, but that tension soon shifted into motivation as he realized the audience was cheering him on.
Although Taipei 101 had been climbed before, Honnold’s ascent marked the first time the skyscraper was scaled completely free solo. Despite a temporary loss of audio contact with his team—leaving him briefly without his music—the issue was quickly resolved, and the climb continued without further complications. For those who missed the live broadcast, the event remains available to stream on Netflix, offering a lasting record of one of the most daring urban climbs ever completed.
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