American climber Alex Honnold pulled off a breathtaking feat on Sunday after successfully climbing Taiwan’s tallest building, Taipei 101, without ropes or safety equipment in a live free-solo ascent broadcast by Netflix.
The daring climb, which lasted about 91 minutes, drew thousands of spectators who watched and cheered as Honnold made his way up the iconic skyscraper. The event had initially been scheduled for a day earlier but was postponed due to wet weather conditions.
Reaching the summit of the 508-metre (1,667-foot) tower, Honnold described the moment as “sick,” later telling reporters it was a stunning way to experience the city from above.
Taipei 101, which held the title of the world’s tallest building between 2004 and 2010, remains one of Taiwan’s most recognizable landmarks. The climb was carried out with full approval and support from the building’s management and the Taipei city government.
Honnold revealed that he had once thought about climbing the structure without permission but ultimately chose to respect the site and the team that granted him access. Netflix executive producer James Smith described the trust placed in Honnold as rare, calling Taipei 101 a national symbol.
Taiwanese officials welcomed the global attention generated by the event. President Lai Ching-te congratulated Honnold on social media, saying the live broadcast showcased not only Taipei 101 but also the enthusiasm and hospitality of the Taiwanese people.
The skyscraper has been climbed before. In 2004, French climber Alain Robert, popularly known as “Spiderman,” scaled Taipei 101 using a safety rope, completing the ascent in about four hours.