Expert Free Solo Climber Attempts Record-Breaking Ascent of Taiwan’s Iconic Skyscraper
Netflix’s highly anticipated live broadcast of Skyscraper Live is underway as professional climber Alex Honnold takes on Taipei 101, one of the world’s tallest buildings, without ropes or safety equipment. The 40-year-old free solo climber is attempting to scale the 1,667-foot, 101-story Taiwan skyscraper in what he believes would be the biggest urban free solo ever achieved.
After a weather delay forced a 24-hour postponement from January 23, the climb proceeded on January 24 under improved conditions. The livestream event on Netflix has drawn worldwide attention as viewers watch Honnold navigate the building’s distinctive architectural features, including its signature “bamboo boxers”—eight stacked boxes designed to mimic bamboo stalks, with balconies every eight floors.
The Challenge Ahead
Honnold, known for his record-breaking free solo ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park in 2017—documented in the Oscar-winning film Free Solo—faces unique obstacles on this Taiwan skyscraper climb. The building’s glass curtain walls and overhanging architectural elements create climbing challenges unlike traditional rock formations.
“The spectacular climbing is uncontrived,” Honnold told The New York Times, explaining his motivation for tackling the climbing taipei 101 objective. He acknowledged that while he has over 30 years of rock-climbing experience, he has limited adult experience scaling buildings, noting that “basically it’s just really hard to get permission to climb a building.”
Safety and the Fall Factor
When asked what would happen if he fell during the live free solo netflix event, Honnold explained to CNN that the building’s geometry actually provides some protection. “There are balconies every few floors, so you actually could fall in tons of places and not actually die, which makes it in some ways safer than a lot of rock-climbing objectives,” he said.
However, Netflix’s decision to broadcast the high-risk climb has drawn criticism from some viewers concerned about safety. Critics have voiced concerns on social media, with some calling the venture “irresponsible.”
Personal Support
Honnold’s wife, Sanni McCandless, has accompanied him to Taiwan for the climb. During the weather delay, the climber shared photos from his unexpected day off, including a mountainous hike and time spent with friends at a gym while awaiting favorable conditions.
The 508-meter Taipei 101 stands as one of the world’s tallest buildings, having held that title until Dubai’s Burj Khalifa was constructed in 2010. Urban climber Alain Robert previously summited the building—but with ropes. Honnold’s free solo attempt represents an unprecedented challenge in urban climbing.
