Taipei, January 28, 2024 – Alex Honnold, the famed American rock climber, completed a breathtaking ascent of the Taipei 101 skyscraper on Sunday, scaling the 508-meter tower without the use of ropes or any protective gear. The daring feat captivated onlookers and sparked debate about the ethics of such a high-stakes broadcast event.
A Gravity-Defying Climb Broadcast to the World
Honnold’s ropeless climb of taipei 101 drew both awe and scrutiny, raising questions about risk and spectacle.
- Honnold successfully free-soloed Taipei 101, a feat previously accomplished with ropes by Alain Robert in 2004.
- The climb was broadcast live on Netflix with a 10-second delay, after being postponed 24 hours due to inclement weather.
- The most challenging section of the climb was the middle 64 floors, known as the “bamboo boxes,” featuring steep, overhanging sections.
- The ascent drew attention to the ethical considerations of broadcasting extreme stunts live.
Cheers erupted from the crowd gathered below as Honnold began his climb, utilizing the building’s horizontal metal beams to pull himself upward with his bare hands. He paused mid-ascent to acknowledge the cheering crowd, a flash of red from his short-sleeved shirt against the steel and glass of the iconic skyscraper. What is free solo climbing? It’s a form of rock climbing where the climber ascends without any ropes, harnesses, or other protective equipment, relying entirely on skill, strength, and mental fortitude.
While Honnold’s achievement is remarkable, he wasn’t the first to scale Taipei 101.French rock climber Alain Robert completed a similar ascent on Christmas Day in 2004, during the building’s grand opening when it held the title of the world’s tallest structure. Though,Robert utilized ropes and safety equipment,setting Honnold’s feat apart as the first ropeless climb of the iconic tower.
