American rock climber Alex Honnold successfully climbed the Taipei 101 skyscraper on Sunday using no ropes or safety gear. Spectators cheered as he ascended the 508-meter tower, relying on metal beams to pull himself up with his hands. Sporting a distinctive red shirt, Honnold paused during the climb to acknowledge the crowd, eliciting more cheers.
The daring feat was broadcast live on Netflix with a brief delay, as rain had pushed the original Saturday schedule to Sunday. While the climb generated excitement, it also sparked debates about the ethics of showcasing such high-risk activities on live television.
Honnold, renowned for his ropeless climb of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, conquered one side of Taipei 101 by utilizing small outcroppings as footholds. Negotiating around ornamental structures and the challenging “bamboo boxes” section comprising 64 floors, he strategically navigated his way up the building, occasionally pausing on balconies for brief rests.
Although not the first climber to scale the skyscraper, Honnold’s achievement marked the first time it was done without a safety rope. French climber Alain Robert had previously climbed the building on Christmas Day in 2004 as part of its grand opening celebrations.