Alex Honnold Climbs Taipei 101 Live on Netflix’s ‘Skyscraper Live’
Alex Honnold Achieves World Record by Free Solo Climbing Taipei 101
World-renowned free solo climber Alex Honnold has achieved a remarkable feat by successfully summiting Taipei 101 in Taiwan, marking a lifelong dream and setting a record for the tallest urban free solo climb globally. Honnold stood triumphantly atop the building’s sphere, waving to fans and capturing a selfie from a perch that seemed barely large enough for a single person.
To descend, Honnold donned a neon green harness and gracefully lowered himself from the spire before taking the elevator to the ground. He embraced his visibly relieved spouse, Sanni McCandless, and shared a heartfelt acknowledgment of their two young children.
The much-anticipated Skyscraper Live event, hosted by former SportsCenter anchor Elle Duncan, was originally scheduled to air in real time but was delayed to Wednesday evening Pacific Time due to unfavorable weather conditions. The broadcast, part of Duncan’s multi-year partnership with Netflix, featured contributions from WWE Superstar Seth Rollins, renowned mountaineer Emily Harrington, and NASA alum Mark Rober, who monitored climate and seismic activities throughout the event.
As he prepared for the climb, Honnold was seen stretching and conversing with McCandless. Thousands of spectators gathered outside a designated exclusion zone to cheer him on, with Honnold even taking a moment early in the climb to chalk his hands and wave at the crowd.
The ascent comprised three stages: the Slabs, the Bamboo Boxes, and the Tower. The Slabs represented the easiest portion and served as a warm-up, while the Bamboo Boxes included eight balconies and a rise of 900 feet. The Tower culminated with its complex architecture, including rings, spires, and overhangs, leading to the small sphere crowning the structure.
Throughout the climb, Honnold navigated obstacles, such as irregular protrusions shaped like Chinese talismans, while maintaining a calm demeanor. He engaged with onlookers and shared light-hearted commentary through his microphone, all while contending with noticeable wind. Despite the bright weather, he had previously stated that high winds wouldn’t hinder his performance.
While Netflix managed to avoid significant technical difficulties during the broadcast, minor delays and an interference with the live feed occurred. Viewers were provided with a climb counter and tracker that displayed Honnold’s progress. The event featured a mix of live and pre-taped content, including interviews with McCandless and segments explaining the climb’s technical aspects. A 10-second delay was implemented for safety precautions.
In the days leading to the event, nearby buildings illuminated with “Go Alex!” messages, as local residents offered prayers for his successful ascent. Prior to the live broadcast, a warning was issued to viewers about the dangers of attempting to replicate Honnold’s actions, highlighting the illegality of such endeavors on urban structures.
Throughout the climb, Honnold experienced some communication issues with the broadcast team due to his headset malfunctioning. After completing the Bamboo Boxes, he mentioned the need to “pace myself” while taking into account the wind currents he faced.
At one point during his ascent of the Tower, he humorously remarked, “You know what? I’m kind of tired,” before employing a technique known as "campusing," which involves using only his arms and hands to climb.
Honnold later showcased his agility by resting while dangling off the Tower’s rings, before continuing his ascent using a free-swinging ladder.
In a previous interview, Honnold discussed the complexities surrounding the safety of the Skyscraper Live event, emphasizing that the essence of free solo climbing is rooted in its inherent risks. With 30 years of experience, he first gained fame for his historic ascent of El Capitan’s full route, a feat immortalized in the Oscar and Emmy-winning documentary Free Solo.
