{"id":431572,"date":"2026-01-25T03:55:28","date_gmt":"2026-01-25T03:55:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/431572\/"},"modified":"2026-01-25T03:55:28","modified_gmt":"2026-01-25T03:55:28","slug":"netflixs-skyscraper-live-updates-alex-honnold-makes-history-as-he-reaches-top-of-1667ft-tower-without-ropes-or-safety-gear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/431572\/","title":{"rendered":"Netflix\u2019s Skyscraper Live updates: Alex Honnold makes history as he reaches top of 1,667ft tower without ropes or safety gear"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Alex Honnold reveals Skyscraper Live Taipei 101 climb is postponedYour support helps us to tell the story<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-1uza6dc-0 iCTyfe\">From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it&#8217;s investigating the financials of Elon Musk&#8217;s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, &#8216;The A Word&#8217;, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-1uza6dc-0 iCTyfe\">At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-1uza6dc-0 iCTyfe\">The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.<\/p>\n<p>Your support makes all the difference.Read more<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.the-independent.com\/arts-entertainment\/tv\/news\/alex-honnold-taipei-skyscraper-netflix-pay-b2906694.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Alex Honnold<\/a> has sensationally scaled one of the tallest skyscrapers on Earth without ropes or safety gear.<\/p>\n<p>The American rock climber took one hour, 31 minutes and 43 seconds to complete 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.<\/p>\n<p>Fans of 40-year-old Honnold tuned in to watch the professional rock climber take on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.the-independent.com\/news\/world\/asia\/mile-high-skyscraper-set-to-be-world-s-tallest-and-twice-as-tall-as-the-burj-khalifa-a6858061.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Taipei 101<\/a>, the 1,667-foot, 101-story tower that dominates the skyline of Taiwan\u2019s capital.<\/p>\n<p>Built in 2004, Taipei 101 features mostly glass curtain walls, with balconies near the top that taper to a pointed peak. It was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.the-independent.com\/news\/world\/asia\/mile-high-skyscraper-set-to-be-world-s-tallest-and-twice-as-tall-as-the-burj-khalifa-a6858061.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">once the world\u2019s tallest building<\/a> until the construction of Dubai\u2019s Burj Khalifa in 2010.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>He has noted that Taipei 101 was previously climbed by French urban climber Alain Robert \u2014 but with ropes. Honnold believes that reaching the top unaided would make it \u201cthe biggest urban free solo ever.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Follow along below for live updates on the climb<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#post-2324589\" class=\"sc-1wyow5i-1 eSNdzi\"><\/a>Honnold celebrates with his wife Sanni<\/p>\n<p>After rappeling down from the spire, Alex Honnold celebrated with his wife Sanni McCandless, a life coach, writer and climber.<\/p>\n<p>The 33-year-old met her future husband at a book signing in 2015. They now have two daughters together, June and Alice \u2013 and sent them their love from Taipei 101, albeit acknowledging that they were too young to be watching.<\/p>\n<p>Phil Thomas25 January 2026 03:34<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#post-2324581\" class=\"sc-1wyow5i-1 eSNdzi\"><\/a>King of the world<\/p>\n<p>Alex Honnold stands atop Taipei 101, the 11th tallest building in the world, after his sensational free-climbing ascent.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/TAIWAN-CLIMBING-HONNOLD-zlup2z99.jpeg\"  loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE\"\/>(AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p>Phil Thomas25 January 2026 03:11<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#post-2324573\" class=\"sc-1wyow5i-1 eSNdzi\"><\/a>The moment of triumph<\/p>\n<p>Netflix streamed the daredevil stunt live, culminating in the electrifying moment Alex Honnold reached the top of the 1,667ft Taipei 101, once the tallest building in the world.<\/p>\n<p>Phil Thomas25 January 2026 02:56<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#post-2324570\" class=\"sc-1wyow5i-1 eSNdzi\"><\/a>Now to get down again &#8230;<\/p>\n<p>And now for the descent. To spare his energy \u2013\u00a0and our nerves \u2013\u00a0Alex Honnold is now strapping on a harness so that he can start rappeling down the building he has just scaled without so much as a rope.<\/p>\n<p>Phil Thomas25 January 2026 02:51<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#post-2324568\" class=\"sc-1wyow5i-1 eSNdzi\"><\/a>Selfie time<\/p>\n<p>Standing atop one of the tallest buildings in the world after climbing up without any ropes or safety equipment, a calm Alex Honnold reaches for his phone and takes a triumphant selfie. Expect that picture to go around the world (once he\u2019s got down again).<\/p>\n<p>Phil Thomas25 January 2026 02:47<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#post-2324566\" class=\"sc-1wyow5i-1 eSNdzi\"><\/a>He&#8217;s done it!<\/p>\n<p>Alex Honnold reaches the top of Taipei 101 after an astonishing climb that took him one hour, 31 minutes and 43 seconds.<\/p>\n<p>Phil Thomas25 January 2026 02:44<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#post-2324563\" class=\"sc-1wyow5i-1 eSNdzi\"><\/a>&#8216;He&#8217;s playing with our emotions at this point&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>Gasps, shock \u2013 and then laughter \u2013\u00a0as Honnold pauses and leans back on one of the\u00a0eight big metal rings that provide a sloping circumference below the spire. Honnond said these were one of his biggest concerns.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe\u2019s playing with our emotions at this point,\u201d says presenter Elle Duncan.<\/p>\n<p>Phil Thomas25 January 2026 02:41<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#post-2324560\" class=\"sc-1wyow5i-1 eSNdzi\"><\/a>&#8216;Kind of tired&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou know what, I\u2019m kind of tired.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>The wind is now visibly blowing his T-shirt.<\/p>\n<p>Phil Thomas25 January 2026 02:35<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#post-2324557\" class=\"sc-1wyow5i-1 eSNdzi\"><\/a>Here come the overhangs<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019s past the \u201cbamboo boxes\u201d that made up most of the climb so far.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Climber-Alex-Honnold-free-soloing-Taipei-101-Skyscraper-6cyikema.jpeg\"  loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Another dragon bested further down the tower\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE\"\/>Another dragon bested further down the tower (REUTERS)<\/p>\n<p>Phil Thomas25 January 2026 02:31<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#post-2324556\" class=\"sc-1wyow5i-1 eSNdzi\"><\/a>&#8216;I&#8217;m so psyched&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>Honnold is in good spirits as he sits for a quick rest: \u201cI don\u2019t know if you guys can hear me, I can\u2019t hear you right now, perhaps I\u2019ve climbed too high. But I\u2019m so psyched.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Making contact again with the team below he says: \u201cI\u2019m good, I\u2019m tired for sure. &#8230; It\u2019s tiring, it\u2019s a big building. Honestly I\u2019ve just been trying to pace myself.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s quite windy &#8230; I\u2019m just trying not to get buffeted and taking my time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He\u2019s past the 89th floor and has the tower in his sights.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ll try and pace myself and have a good time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Phil Thomas25 January 2026 02:26<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Alex Honnold reveals Skyscraper Live Taipei 101 climb is postponedYour support helps us to tell the story From&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":431573,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[76,354,355,49,48,356,75],"class_list":["post-431572","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-arts-and-design","tag-arts","tag-arts-and-design","tag-artsanddesign","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-design","tag-entertainment"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/431572","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=431572"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/431572\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/431573"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=431572"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=431572"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=431572"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}