Alex Honnold free solos Taipei 101 skyscraper in live Netflix climb
US climber takes an hour and half to scale one of Asia’s tallest buildings without ropes or a harness
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'.