Alex Honnold’s made-for-Netflix free solo of Taipei 101 draws awe

January 23, 2026

TL;DR

Alex Honnold is preparing for a free solo climb of Taipei 101, an ambition he has held for over ten years.
The climb will be broadcast live globally on Netflix as part of its new sports programming initiative, Skyscraper Live.
Honnold describes the climb as having "no ropes. No gear. No margin of error."
The event has drawn both excitement and criticism, with comparisons made to historical daredevil feats and modern extreme sports.
Netflix's strategy involves 'eventizing' sports with one-off broadcasts to attract viewers to its broader content.
The climb is attracting betting on prediction markets like Polymarket.
Netflix will implement a 10-second delay for the broadcast and Honnold will be in constant communication with his production team.
Critics, including some in the climbing community, have labeled the event 'voyeuristic, ghoulish and irresponsible,' citing the dangers of free soloing and Honnold's family status.
The architecture of Taipei 101, with its stacked segments and balconies, offers predictable rest points for climbers.
French climber Alain Robert, known as 'Spiderman,' who climbed Taipei 101 on top rope in 2004, expressed confidence in Honnold's preparation.

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