American rock climber Alex Honnold achieved what many considered impossible on January 25, 2026, becoming the first person to free solo climb Taiwan’s iconic Taipei 101 skyscraper without any safety equipment. The 40-year-old mountaineer completed the death-defying 1,667-foot (508-meter) ascent in just 92 minutes, captivating thousands of onlookers in Taipei and millions of Netflix viewers worldwide who watched the historic climb unfold live.
Breaking New Ground in Urban Climbing
The feat marks what Honnold himself described as “the largest urban free solo climb ever,” representing a significant milestone in both his decorated career and the sport of climbing. Free soloing—ascending without ropes, harnesses, or any protective equipment—is considered one of the most dangerous activities in extreme sports, where a single mistake can prove fatal.
Honnold reached the summit of Taipei 101’s metal spire at 10:43 AM local time on Sunday morning, greeting the enthusiastic crowd below with a broad smile and a wave before celebrating his accomplishment with a single word: “Sick”. The building, designed to emulate a bamboo stalk and constructed of steel, glass, and concrete, presented unique architectural challenges that Honnold navigated with precision.
A Decade in the Making
While Honnold had eyed Taipei 101 for over a decade, the opportunity to attempt this unprecedented climb materialized only when Netflix approached him about broadcasting the event live. The streaming platform’s “Skyscraper Live” special, originally scheduled for January 23, was postponed by one day due to unfavorable weather conditions. Fortune smiled on the climber when Sunday delivered clear skies and minimal wind—ideal conditions for such a demanding ascent.
“It’s unbelievable; I’m sure I’ll be glowing for days. It’s incredible,” Honnold told reporters during a press conference immediately following his climb. “You spend so long contemplating it and envisioning it as possible, but actually accomplishing it always feels different.”
Shattering Previous Records
Honnold’s 92-minute ascent dramatically outpaced the only previous recorded climb of Taipei 101. French climber Alain Robert, who calls himself “Spiderman,” reached the summit in 2004 during the building’s official public inauguration, but his climb took four hours and utilized ropes and a harness for safety. Robert also faced significantly worse weather conditions, including rain and strong winds, making Honnold’s achievement even more remarkable by comparison.
A Legacy Built on Fearless Ascents
Honnold first gained worldwide recognition in 2017 when he became the first person to free solo El Capitan’s Freerider route in Yosemite National Park—a 3,300-foot granite cliff that National Geographic described as “perhaps the greatest feat of pure rock climbing in the history of the sport”. That climb was immortalized in the 2018 Academy Award-winning documentary “Free Solo,” which brought Honnold’s meticulous preparation process and remarkable mental fortitude to mainstream audiences.
Earlier achievements include becoming the first person to free solo Yosemite’s Regular Northwest Face of Half Dome in 2008, a climb that legendary climber Dean Potter called “the most impressive ropeless ascent ever done” at the time.
Global Audience Witnesses History
The two-hour Netflix broadcast allowed viewers around the world to experience the tension and triumph of Honnold’s ascent in real-time. Thousands gathered on the streets of Taipei, craning their necks skyward to watch the climber progress up one of their city’s most recognizable landmarks, while millions more watched from the safety of their homes—a stark contrast to the exposed position Honnold occupied hundreds of feet above the ground.
At 40 years old, Honnold continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in climbing. His latest accomplishment at Taipei 101 demonstrates that his appetite for challenging climbs remains undiminished, even as he continues to inspire a new generation of climbers while reminding the world why he remains one of the most respected and daring athletes in extreme sports history.
The successful completion of this urban free solo not only adds another extraordinary achievement to Honnold’s already legendary career but also expands the possibilities of what can be accomplished when human determination meets architectural grandeur.
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