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
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
“What a day in Taipei,” quips Honnold through his mic after successfully conquering the first dragon feature on the side of the skyscraper. He only has nine more to get the better of …
Phil Thomas25 January 2026 01:33
The next big obstacle is a 16ft steel structure modeled after a dragon. The building features the dragon heads on several corners.
In Taiwanese culture, dragons symbolize power, wisdom and – something Honnold will need a touch of – good fortune.
Phil Thomas25 January 2026 01:28
Ornamental carvings fail to ruyi-n climber’s ascent
First climbing comment from the daredevil during his ascent: “Is anyone going to start the music?”
Honnold has successfully negotiated the first obstacles, the first two of the tower’s ruyis – huge ornamental carved objects on the side of the building.
Phil Thomas25 January 2026 01:24
The first stage is probably as easy for this expert climber as it’s going to get. Honnold is stepping up on to ledges about three feet apart.
About 100ft up he stops, smiles and waves at the crowds below, eliciting a huge cheer.
Climbing – Climber Alex Honnold free soloing Taipei 101 Skyscraper – Taipei, Taiwan – January 25, 2026 Climber Alex Honnold reacts before free soloing Taipei 101 Skyscraper (REUTERS)
Phil Thomas25 January 2026 01:15
Alex Honnold is on his way ….
He changed his shoes and glanced upwards at the task ahead of him. He’s wearing a microphone meaning we might hear from him at some point during his climb.
Dress code: casual. Honnold is wearing loose black track pants, a red T-shirt.
Phil Thomas25 January 2026 01:13