Alex Honnold free solos Taipei 101 skyscraper in live Netflix climb

January 25, 2026

TL;DR

Alex Honnold climbed the 508-meter Taipei 101 building without ropes or a harness.
The ascent took 91 minutes and was broadcast live by Netflix.
Honnold hoped the feat would inspire people to pursue their own challenges, emphasizing that 'time is finite'.
Critics raised ethical concerns about broadcasting a high-risk free solo climb, citing Honnold's personal life and the dangers of the activity.
The challenge received support and permission from Taipei 101 and the city's government.
Taiwanese politicians viewed the event as a positive way to put Taiwan in the international spotlight.
Alain Robert, who previously climbed Taipei 101 with a rope, congratulated Honnold.
The climb involved ascending the building's horizontal metal beams, with difficult sections in the middle 'bamboo boxes'.

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