Alex Honnold reveals Skyscraper Live Taipei 101 climb is postponedYour support helps us to tell the story
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Alex Honnold’s attempt to scale one of the tallest skyscrapers on Earth without ropes or safety gear is now under way, after being delayed by 24 hours.
The American rock climber began the hair-raising stunt on Saturday evening. On Friday night, just minutes before Skyscraper Live was due to air on Netflix on Friday (January 23), it was announced that the special had been postponed due to wet weather conditions in Taipei.
Fans of 40-year-old Honnold tuned in to watch the professional rock climber take on Taipei 101, the 1,667-foot, 101-story tower that dominates the skyline of Taiwan’s capital.
Built in 2004, Taipei 101 features mostly glass curtain walls, with balconies near the top that taper to a pointed peak. It was once the world’s tallest building until the construction of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa in 2010.
Honnold is known for his record-breaking ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park in 2017, which was captured in the Oscar-winning documentary, Free Solo.
He has noted that Taipei 101 was previously climbed by French urban climber Alain Robert — but with ropes. Honnold believes that reaching the top unaided would make it “the biggest urban free solo ever.”
Follow along below for live updates on the climb
“You know what, I’m kind of tired.”
Honnold gives an understated quip as he continues to negotiate the overhangs ahead of him before reaching the spire at the top of the tower, which is now in sight just a few hundred feet away.
The wind is now visibly blowing his T-shirt.
Phil Thomas25 January 2026 02:35
A big round of applause and cheering as Honnold glides through his first overhang, a terrifying test of his upper body strength. He has several more to go now that he’s past the “bamboo boxes” that made up most of the climb so far.
Another dragon bested further down the tower (REUTERS)
Phil Thomas25 January 2026 02:31
Honnold is in good spirits as he sits for a quick rest: “I don’t know if you guys can hear me, I can’t hear you right now, perhaps I’ve climbed too high. But I’m so psyched.”
Making contact again with the team below he says: “I’m good, I’m tired for sure. … It’s tiring, it’s a big building. Honestly I’ve just been trying to pace myself.
“It’s quite windy … I’m just trying not to get buffeted and taking my time.”
He’s past the 89th floor and has the tower in his sights.
“I’ll try and pace myself and have a good time.”
Phil Thomas25 January 2026 02:26
The hardest discipline is a mental one
The hardest discipline in climbing, according to Honnold? Letting your mind arrive before your body does, meaning you lose your concentration.
That’s according to the Netflix commentators, who are telling us that the hardest part of the climb is behind him.
Honnold is pausing from time to time to get some chalk on to his hands. He’s not been climbing for one hour and eight minutes ….
Phil Thomas25 January 2026 02:21
A quick break so that Honnold can clean his shoes and his fingers. The building is dirty because of the residue of a fireworks display, the Netflix presenters tell us.
As the daring climber resumes his ascent he comes faces to face with some sign-waving fans behind the windows on the Google floor. He gives them a good-natured wave and smile – and then presses on with the task at hand.
Phil Thomas25 January 2026 02:12
Honnold making good progress (and putting his heart into it)
Honnold has been going for just over 50 minutes, without much of a break except for a quick casual chat with the presenters earlier. His heart rate is about 166 according to Netflix’s onscreen graphic, pretty normal for someone who is exercising, and he appears to be past the halfway mark.
(AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)
Phil Thomas25 January 2026 02:07
“The view’s amazing,” says our intrepid hero as he pauses to look down and chat after scaling the fourth “dragon.”
“Look at Taipei, it’s so cool.”
(”Can you take a step back, you’re making me nervous,” says one of the commentators. Honnold chuckles and obliges.)
Honnold conquers a dragon (REUTERS)
Phil Thomas25 January 2026 01:50
Honnold: ‘Wholesome, endearing, optimistic’
Honnold is “wholesome” and “endearing,” the Netflix commentary team are telling us – also “optimistic,” which is just as well given the scale of the challenge he has set himself.
He’s now negotiating his fourth “dragon” – the 15ft dragon head features on the corners of the massive building.
Phil Thomas25 January 2026 01:48
Alex Honnold isn’t the first person to climb Taipei 101. On Christmas Day 2004 the French climber Alain Robert scaled the 1,667ft tower in four hours.
But there’s a big difference in the American’s approach – he isn’t using any ropes or safety equipment. So this bid is a first of its kind.
Taipei 101 was ranked as the tallest building in the world from its opening in 2004 until it was supplanted by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2009.
Phil Thomas25 January 2026 01:46
Hundreds of fans turned out in the Taiwanese capital to witness the spine-tingling stunt, with a possible audience of millions around the world watching on Netflix. One group of fans at the tower were holding a homemade sign reading “Taiwan loves Alex.”
craper (REUTERS)
(AFP via Getty Images)
(REUTERS)
(REUTERS)
Phil Thomas25 January 2026 01:34