No Rope, No Harness: Alex Honnold Free Solos Taipei 101 In One Of The Boldest Urban Climbs Ever

American rock climber Alex Honnold has once again stunned the world by completing a free solo climb of Taipei 101, one of the tallest skyscrapers on the planet. The 508-metre ascent was done without any rope, harness, or safety equipment, marking one of the boldest urban climbs ever attempted.

The climb took place in Taipei, Taiwan, and was completed in just one hour and 31 minutes. After reaching the top, Honnold described the experience in his trademark understated style, calling it simply, "Sick."

A Skyscraper, No Safety Gear

Taipei 101, designed to resemble a bamboo stalk, was once the tallest building in the world and remains a global architectural icon. Honnold's climb was originally planned for Saturday but had to be postponed due to wet weather, which would have made the glass and steel surface extremely dangerous.

The ascent was livestreamed on Netflix, with the platform later revealing that the broadcast would have been delayed if anything had gone wrong during the climb. The event drew massive attention online as viewers watched Honnold scale the tower floor by floor, relying solely on his strength, balance, and mental focus.

Breaking Records and Past Limits

With this climb, Honnold shattered the previous best-known ascent of Taipei 101. French climber Alain Robert, often called "Spiderman," had earlier climbed the building in about four hours, using ropes and a harness. Honnold's rope-free climb took less than half that time.

During the ascent, Honnold briefly stopped near the 89th floor, where people inside the building spotted him through the glass and waved. Unfazed by the cheers or the height, he continued climbing steadily toward the top.

Support, Reactions, and a Familiar Fear

Taiwan's Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim congratulated Honnold on social media, admitting that watching the climb made her nervous. At the summit, Honnold was welcomed by his wife, who had earlier shared concerns about strong winds and high temperatures during the climb.

Honnold is no stranger to fear-inducing feats. He rose to global fame after becoming the first person to free solo El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. That climb was later featured in the Oscar-winning documentary Free Solo, cementing his status as one of the greatest climbers of all time.

Pushing the Boundaries Again

Widely regarded as one of the most accomplished climbers in history, Honnold continues to push the limits of what the human body and mind can achieve. His climb of Taipei 101 is not just a personal milestone but a moment that redefines what is possible in urban climbing.

Once again, Honnold has shown that for him, extreme heights and impossible challenges are simply part of the climb.