Alex Honnold Completes Ropeless Ascent of Taipei 101 Skyscraper
American rock climber Alex honnold achieved a historic feat on Sunday, scaling the 508-meter (1,667-foot) Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taiwan without the use of ropes or protective equipment.
The daring climb, broadcast live on Netflix with a 10-second delay, captivated audiences worldwide as Honnold reached the spire approximately 90 minutes after beginning his ascent. Cheers erupted from a large crowd gathered below, witnessing the extraordinary accomplishment.
A Challenging Ascent
Honnold,renowned for his groundbreaking ropeless climb of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park,navigated the Taipei 101’s exterior using small,L-shaped outcroppings as footholds. The climb required significant physical exertion adn precise maneuvering, particularly around the tower’s ornamental structures. He periodically pulled himself up using only his bare hands.
According to reports, the most challenging section of the climb involved the building’s middle 64 floors – the distinctive “bamboo boxes” that define Taipei 101’s architecture. These segments consist of eight sections,each with eight floors of steep,overhanging climbing interspersed with balconies used for brief rests.
“It was like what a view, it’s incredible, what a gorgeous day,” Honnold stated after reaching the summit. “It was very windy, so I was like, don’t fall off the spire. I was trying to balance nicely. But it was,what an incredible position,what a beautiful way to see taipei.”
A Unique Climbing Experience
The presence of a cheering crowd proved to be an unusual element for Honnold, whose climbs typically take place in remote, isolated environments. “When I was leaving the ground, you’re like oh it’s kind of intense, there’s so many people watching,” he explained. “But then honestly, they’re all wishing me well. I mean basically it just makes the whole experience feel almost more festive, all these nice people are out supporting me and having a good time.”
The climb, initially scheduled for Saturday, was postponed by 24 hours due to inclement weather. While Honnold is not the first climber to ascend Taipei 101 – French climber Alain Robert scaled the building in 2004 during its grand opening – he is the first to accomplish the feat without ropes.
Ethical Considerations and Future Climbs
The live broadcast of such a high-risk endeavor sparked debate regarding the ethical implications of showcasing extreme sports in this manner. Despite the concerns, the event drew significant excitement and attention.
The ascent underscores Honnold’s continued pursuit of pushing the boundaries of free solo climbing and solidifie
Associated Press video journalist Taijing Wu and writer Ken Moritsugu in Beijing contributed.
Here’s a breakdown of how the article now answers the requested questions:
* Why: Honnold completed the climb to push the boundaries of free solo climbing and achieve a historic feat.
* Who: Alex Honnold,an American rock climber,completed the ascent. Alain Robert previously climbed the building with ropes in
