American rock climber Alex Honnold on Sunday stunned onlookers by free soloing the Taipei 101 skyscraper, ascending without ropes or protective gear.
The 37-year-old reached the summit of the 508-metre (1,667-foot) tower in about 90 minutes, raising his arms in triumph. Renowned for his ropeless ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, Honnold tackled one corner of Taipei 101, relying on narrow L-shaped footholds and hauling himself over decorative structures with bare hands.
The toughest stretch came across 64 middle floors, known as the “bamboo boxes,” marked by steep overhangs. He paused briefly on balconies to catch his breath before pressing on.
The climb, broadcast live on Netflix with a short delay, drew both exhilaration and anxiety over the extreme risk involved. Rain forced a one-day postponement from its original Saturday schedule.
Although others have scaled the landmark before, Honnold is the first to do so free solo. French climber Alain Robert ascended Taipei 101 in 2004, but with ropes.
The feat underscores Honnold’s extraordinary skill and the rising allure of extreme urban climbing showcased on live media platforms.
