U.S. rock climber Alex Honnold reaches prime of Taipei skyscraper with out ropes : NPR

TAIPEI, Taiwan — American rock climber Alex Honnold ascended the Taipei 101 skyscraper on Sunday with none ropes or protecting tools.

Cheers erupted from a street-level crowd as he reached the highest of the spire of the 508-meter (1,667-foot) tower about 90 minutes after he began. Carrying a crimson short-sleeve shirt, Honnold waved his arms backwards and forwards over his head.

“It was like what a view, it is unimaginable, what an attractive day,” he mentioned afterward. “It was very windy, so I used to be like, do not fall off the spire. I used to be making an attempt to stability properly. Nevertheless it was, what an unimaginable place, what an attractive option to see Taipei.”

Rock climber Alex Honnold, of the U.S., raises his fist as he climbs on prime of the Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taipei, Taiwan, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026.

Chiang Ying-ying/AP

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Chiang Ying-ying/AP

Honnold, recognized for his ropeless ascent up Yosemite Nationwide Park’s El Capitan, climbed up one nook of Taipei 101 utilizing small L-shaped outcroppings as footholds. Periodically, he needed to maneuver round and clamber up the perimeters of huge decorative buildings that jut out from the tower, pulling himself up together with his naked arms.

The constructing has 101 flooring, with the toughest half being the 64 flooring of the center part — the “bamboo packing containers” that give the constructing its signature look. Divided into eight, every section has eight flooring of steep, overhanging climbing adopted by balconies, the place he took brief rests as he made his means upward.

Honnold’s free solo climb of the long-lasting constructing in Taiwan’s capital metropolis was broadcast dwell on Netflix with a 10-second delay. The ascent, initially scheduled for Saturday, was delayed for twenty-four hours as a consequence of rain.

Having a cheering crowd was uncommon and a bit unnerving at first for Honnold, whose climbs are normally in distant areas.

“After I was leaving the bottom, you are like oh it is type of intense, there’s so many individuals watching,” he mentioned. “However then actually, they’re all wishing me effectively. I imply principally it simply makes the entire expertise really feel nearly extra festive, all these good persons are out supporting me and having an excellent time.”

The climb drew each pleasure and concern over the moral implications of making an attempt such a high-risk endeavor on dwell broadcast.

Honnold is not the primary climber to ascend Taipei 101, however he’s the primary to take action with no rope. French rock climber Alain Robert scaled the constructing on Christmas Day in 2004 as a part of the grand opening of what was then the world’s tallest constructing.