Professional climber Alex Honnold has completed a landmark ascent of Taipei 101, becoming the first person to free solo the 1,667-foot (508-meter) skyscraper and setting a record for the largest urban free solo climb in history. The climb, completed without ropes, took 1 hour, 31 minutes, and 34 seconds and was streamed live globally on Netflix.
Originally scheduled for January 23, the ascent was delayed due to weather and ultimately completed just before 7:45 p.m. local time on January 24. Reaching the summit, Honnold described the final section as physically demanding, noting that the upper portions of the building required sustained strength and focus.
The live broadcast, titled Skyscraper Live, combined real-time footage of the climb with commentary from a panel of sports and climbing experts, including engineer and former NASA collaborator Mark Rober, professional climber Emily Harrington, and others. Viewers also saw pre-recorded segments documenting Honnold’s training, daily life, and preparation for the ascent.
Taipei 101’s distinctive façade presented unique challenges, including a series of large steel dragon sculptures integrated into the exterior. These architectural features required adaptive climbing techniques more akin to natural rock formations than conventional building surfaces, highlighting how expressive high-rise façades can create unexpected interactions between architecture and the human body.
Throughout the climb, Honnold wore a microphone while being filmed from above, allowing real-time insight into the physical and mental demands of navigating one of the world’s most recognizable skyscrapers. Upon reaching the top, he paused to take in the city skyline before addressing the cheering crowd below.
Taipei 101 stood as the tallest building in the world upon completion in 2004 and held the title through 2010. In 2011, the building achieved a LEED Platinum certification for operations and maintenance, an impressive feat for its size and complexity and demonstrates the extremely high standards for the building’s sustainability. While free solo climbing remains an extreme and highly specialized pursuit, the event drew global attention to Taipei 101 not only as an engineering and architectural landmark, but also as a stage for public spectacle—underscoring how iconic tall buildings can serve as platforms for cultural moments that reshape how cities are experienced and perceived.
Read more at Outside.
*Please note that this climb was sanctioned and coordinated with the building owners. CVU does not encourage the climbing of any skyscrapers without the direct consent and authorization of the building’s owner(s).