Daring Ascent: Alex Honnold Scales Taipei 101 Without Safety Gear

Wed Feb 04 2026 08:48:16 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

American climber Alex Honnold has achieved a remarkable feat by climbing Taiwan's iconic Taipei 101 skyscraper without any ropes or safety equipment, completing the ascent in just 1 hour and 31 minutes.

World-renowned free climber Alex Honnold has made headlines by scaling the Taipei 101 skyscraper, known for its 101 floors and height of 508 meters, without using ropes or safety gear. The climb, streamed live on Netflix, showcases Honnold's exceptional climbing skills and determination, finishing in 1 hour and 31 minutes, which is significantly faster than the previous record. The event was met with cheers from spectators, including Honnold's wife, and reflects his continuing legacy in the world of extreme climbing.

American climber Alex Honnold has successfully scaled a Taiwan skyscraper without a rope, harness or safety equipment.

The building, named Taipei 101 for the number of its floors, stands at 508m (1,667ft) and is designed to resemble a stick of bamboo.

Honnold, renowned for being the first person to free solo El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, completed the Taipei 101 climb in one hour and 31 minutes, celebrating with the word, Sick. His ascent was streamed live on Netflix, providing viewers with a breathtaking experience.

The climb was initially scheduled for Saturday but had to be delayed due to wet weather conditions. Honnold's time dwarfs that of Alain Robert, who previously scaled the tower in four hours using safety gear.

Following his successful ascent, Taiwan's Vice President, Hsiao Bi-khim, congratulated him via social media, humorously admitting she couldn't bear to watch. Celebrating at the summit with his wife, Honnold faced the challenges of heat and wind.

As he climbed, overjoyed fans cheered him on from the 89th floor, and video footage captured the incredible moment. Honnold's legacy continues to expand with this incredible accomplishment, following the success of his Oscar-winning documentary, Free Solo.