Alex Honnold free-solo climbs Taipei 101
艾力克斯霍諾德（Alex Honnold）赤手攀登台北101
| TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — American rock climber Alex Honnold scaled Taipei 101 on Sunday morning in a televised event hosted by Netflix, taking advantage of clear weather and calm conditions.
Honnold, best known for his free-solo ascents, encountered few difficulties during the nearly 91-minute climb and frequently waved to spectators gathered below. He also interacted with people inside the building and spoke to viewers through a live microphone as the ascent was broadcast. The exterior of Taipei 101, often likened to a stack of bamboo segments, proved manageable for Honnold, who used the building’s metal detailing as handholds. Along the route, he passed decorative “ruyi” (如意) motifs and 10 stylized dragon designs on the facade, moments that prompted visible tension among onlookers. Each completed section allowed Honnold to address the audience. The second major section presented greater difficulty due to an overhanging gradient that exceeded vertical. To conserve strength, Honnold employed heel hooks to reduce strain on his forearms and used “smearing” techniques, pressing the soles of his climbing shoes against the smooth exterior for friction. Honnold said preparation for the climb differed significantly from outdoor rock climbing, emphasizing mental conditioning and endurance training over technical complexity. He described simulating deep fatigue and repeatedly practicing on identical holds to prepare for the roughly 508-meter ascent. “Preparation is one thing, but you never really know if you’re totally ready,” he said during the broadcast. Despite the challenges, Honnold maintained a steady pace and appeared relaxed throughout the climb. Organizers at one point encouraged him to slow down as he moved ahead of schedule. In a live interview near the upper sections of the tower, Honnold described the experience as surreal. “The view is amazing,” he said. “It’s pretty incredible to have people watching from everywhere on such a beautiful day.” He added that climbing a skyscraper was technically less complex than natural rock but required constant focus due to wind conditions and the presence of people working inside the building. “Slow and steady, nice and controlled,” Honnold said. “Every move matters, but I’m just trying to pace myself and enjoy it.” Upon reaching the pinnacle, Honnold lost radio communication with his team, though the livestream audience was able to continue listening to his commentary. He took a few minutes to savor the view and the crowds of onlookers at street level, then snapped a few selfies for posterity. The climb added a skyscraper ascent to Honnold’s resume, following his pioneering free-solo ascent of Yosemite’s El Capitan, and cemented his status as the best free-solo climber in the world. At a press conference after the climb, Honnold admitted he felt nervous when he stood on the ground preparing to climb. "Standing below and seeing so many people, the pressure was immense," per SETN. However, as the climb progressed, his mood gradually calmed and relaxed, and he frequently smiled. "Once you get into the rhythm, focus blocks out all distractions, and it even becomes enjoyable." His biggest concern was whether the rain and wind from the first day would affect today's climb. Honnold frankly said that free solo climbing is usually a solitary activity. "But today was different. I could feel the kindness and support from below; that energy was actually pushing me upwards." Reflecting on the challenge, Honnold stated that the structure of Taipei 101's exterior tested both his physical and mental strength. He said that completing the climb in such a public manner made it all the more worthwhile, leaving an unforgettable mark on his life and the history of extreme sports. |
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| Sean Scanlan Taiwan News, Staff Reporter | |
| 2026-01-25 |
