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Alex Honnold Conquers Taipei 101 in Historic free Solo Climb
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A breathtaking feat of athleticism and courage unfolded on January 25, 2026, as Alex Honnold became the first person known to free solo – climb without ropes or safety nets – the iconic Taipei 101 skyscraper. The climb,a live-streamed spectacle watched by a global audience,captivated viewers and cemented Honnold’s legacy as one of the world’s most daring adventurers.
The american rock climber reached the summit of the 508-meter (1667-foot) building in one hour and 32 minutes, exceeding his own estimate by a mere two minutes. Upon reaching the top, Honnold was greeted by his wife, Sanni McCandless, in a heartwarming moment captured on camera.
Honnold’s accomplishment builds upon his already legendary status in the climbing world. He is widely recognized for his 2017 free solo ascent of El Capitan, a 914-meter (3000-foot) granite monolith in Yosemite National Park. This latest challenge, however, presented a unique set of obstacles.
Weather Adds to the Challenge
The climb was initially scheduled for Saturday, but was postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions. According to honnold, the delay ultimately enhanced the experience. “The inclement weather kind of makes it feel more like rock climbing,” he explained at a post-climb press conference. “It really feels like we’ve been here on a climbing expedition, climbing in the mountains, as of the weather swirling and the rain and the wind and everything.” He added that the conditions transformed the ascent into a “grand adventure.”
Despite the challenging conditions, Honnold remained focused and resolute. “I thought I was going pretty slow,” he admitted, while his wife confessed she was “basically having a panic attack the entire time.”
A moment of Inspiration
The climb resonated far beyond the climbing community. Taiwan’s president Lai Ching-te extended his congratulations to Honnold, acknowledging the spectacle as “truly nerve-wracking” to watch and praising its contribution to elevating Taiwan’s international profile.
Honnold himself hopes his achievement will inspire others to pursue their own goals. Reflecting on the impact of the 2018 documentary Free Solo, which chronicled his El Capitan climb, he stated, “One of the things that I learned…is that people frequently enough take the message that they need from it.” He continued, “It’s ofen the kick they need to do whatever it is that they want to do in their life…a reminder that their time is finite and they should use it in the best way, the most meaningful way that they can.”
Netflix Expands into Live Event Programming
The Taipei 101 climb marked a meaningful step for Netflix as it ventures into live event programming. The streaming giant broadcast the ascent under the banner of “Skyscraper Live,” utilizing a 10-second delay to ensure viewer safety. Netflix co-chief executive Ted Sarandos described the event as an “edge-of-your-seat TV experience” and highlighted the company’s ambition to become a live TV powerhouse, having already executed over 200 live events, including comedy shows and wrestling matches.
The successful broadcast of Honnold’s climb demonstrates Netflix’s strategy of leveraging captivating live content to attract and retain subscribers. The event served as Netflix’s first international live event, signaling a broader expansion of its live programming offerings.
Alex Honnold’s daring ascent of Taipei 101 is more than just a remarkable athletic achievement; it’s a testament to the power of human ambition and a reminder
