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Alex Honnold Scales Taipei 101 Without Ropes in Live Netflix Broadcast

Published January 25, 2026, 07:15
Alex Honnold Scales Taipei 101 Without Ropes in Live Netflix Broadcast

American climber Alex Honnold completed a remarkable free solo ascent of the Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taiwan, without the use of ropes or any protective equipment. The climb took approximately 90 minutes and was broadcast live on Netflix, after being initially postponed due to weather conditions. Honnold utilized small protrusions and side structures to scale the building, facing particular difficulty in the middle sections of the tower. The ascent sparked mixed reactions, with many expressing admiration, but also raising concerns about the risks and ethical implications of such an undertaking. While not the first to climb the skyscraper, Honnold is the first to do so without ropes, surpassing French climber Alain Robert who completed an ascent in 2004 using equipment.