Crowds Gather to Watch as Netflix Broadcasts "Free Solo Building Climb" Live

Alex Honnold Climbs Taipei 101
Reaches the Summit Without Safety Gear in Just 1 Hour and 31 Minutes

World-renowned rock climber Alex Honnold (40) has successfully free solo climbed the landmark Taipei 101 building in Taiwan.

Honnold's challenge was broadcast live worldwide through the Netflix program "Skyscraper Live: Scaling the World's Tallest Buildings." On the 24th (local time), Honnold began his ascent of Taipei 101 at 9:10 a.m. The Taipei 101 building, completed in 2004, stands at 508 meters and is currently the 11th tallest building in the world. He reached the top of the building 1 hour and 31 minutes after he began his climb.

World-renowned rock climber Alex Honnold (40) is free solo climbing the landmark Taipei 101 building in Taiwan on the 24th (local time). Photo by AP Yonhap News

Climbing the 101-story skyscraper without a rope, Honnold is considered a living legend in the field of "free solo" climbing, which involves scaling rock faces without any safety equipment. In 2017, he became the first person in history to climb the massive El Capitan rock face in Yosemite National Park, USA, without equipment, gaining global recognition. The documentary "Free Solo," which chronicles this challenge, won the Best Documentary Feature at the 91st Academy Awards.

Taipei 101 building exterior. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

The exterior of Taipei 101 is made of smooth glass and steel, requiring a level of grip strength and endurance far beyond that needed for natural rock faces. Previously, in 2004, Alain Robert, known as "Spider-Man," climbed the building in four hours, but Honnold shattered that record with much more precise and daring technique, setting a nearly unbelievable new mark.

Crowds gathered around the building to watch Honnold's climb in real time. Many citizens came out holding banners to cheer him on. Inside the building, numerous people filmed Honnold, who even took time to wave at them. Upon safely reaching the top of the building, Honnold took a selfie to celebrate his success. In an interview with the Netflix broadcast team at the summit, he said, "I'm a little tired, but it was an incredible experience." Honnold used a rope to descend from the building.

This was Honnold's first time climbing a man-made structure rather than a natural rock face. Since establishing his own foundation in 2012, he has worked to provide solar energy to underserved regions around the world. It is reported that he will receive approximately 900 million won for this climb.