Alex Honnold Achieves Historic Urban Free-Solo Climb of Taipei 101
In a breathtaking feat that captivated global audiences, renowned climber Alex Honnold successfully completed what is believed to be the largest urban free-solo climb in history on Saturday. Scaling the towering 508-meter (1,667-foot) exterior of Taipei 101 in Taiwan, Honnold accomplished this daring ascent in less than 90 minutes during a live special broadcast on Netflix.
A Dream Realized After Years of Aspiration
The climb commenced at 9:17 am local time (0107 GMT), marking the first instance where Honnold has free-soloed a skyscraper. For years, the iconic tower had held a powerful allure for the climber. "I've always wanted to climb the coolest thing I could find," Honnold revealed in a pre-recorded interview, adding that his dream of conquering Taipei 101 dates back as far as twelve years ago.
Honnold rose to international fame following his 2017 ascent of Yosemite National Park's El Capitan without any ropes, a monumental achievement documented in the Academy Award-winning film Free Solo. While Taipei 101 has previously attracted elite climbers, such as Alain Robert's roped climb in 2004, Honnold's approach was distinctly different, executed live and entirely without protective systems.
The Three-Stage Ascent: Challenges and Highlights
The historic climb unfolded across three distinct and demanding stages:
- The Slabs: This initial phase involved 113 meters of sloped steel and glass. As office workers gathered at windows to film and wave, commentator Elle Duncan noted that the building remained open to the public. In a memorable moment around the 13-minute mark, Honnold offered a high-five to a child through a window upon completing this stage.
- The Bamboo Boxes: The second stage consisted of eight stacked "bamboo boxes," totaling 274 meters of vertical climbing, each featuring a seven-degree overhang. Crowds below chanted "Add oil" in encouragement. Honnold's wife, Sanni McCandless, observed that he appeared energized, stating, "There's great energy here, and he's doing what he loves." As he passed the halfway point, his heart rate climbed to approximately 165 beats per minute. He briefly paused to clean grime and fireworks residue from his shoes and fingers, reflecting on the unique experience of climbing past occupied offices: "We're all sharing the crazy experience together."
- The Spire: The final stage presented a unique challenge. Commentators highlighted that the overhang required immense upper body strength, with limited holds on the rings. Part of the narrow structure was physically impossible to climb directly, necessitating a transition onto a ladder that was not fully secure.
A Landmark Achievement Concluded Smoothly
Moments after reaching the summit, Honnold celebrated his success, exclaiming, "Sick. It's windy. If you guys can hear me, I can still see you, and I'm so psyched." He capped off the landmark ascent by taking a selfie from the peak of Taipei 101, completing the climb smoothly and without incident.
This historic event not only showcases Honnold's extraordinary skill and courage but also sets a new benchmark in the world of urban climbing, captivating viewers worldwide through its live broadcast.
