Taipei, Taiwan — Renowned American rock climber Alex Honnold successfully completed a daring free-solo climb of Taipei 101, Taiwan’s 508-metre (1,667-foot) skyscraper, during a live Netflix broadcast on Sunday, January 25, 2026, officials and media reports confirmed. The event, titled Skyscraper Live, marked one of the most high-profile urban free-solo ascents ever recorded and drew global streaming audiences.
Honnold, best known for his acclaimed 2017 free solo of El Capitan in Yosemite, documented in the Oscar-winning film Free Solo, tackled the towering Taipei landmark without ropes, harnesses, or other safety gear, officials said. The climb took approximately one hour and 31 minutes to complete, with Honnold reaching the spire’s summit amid cheers from spectators and livestream viewers.
The Skyscraper Live event was originally scheduled to air on January 23 but was postponed by 24 hours due to adverse weather conditions, including rain in Taipei that made the building’s glass and metal surfaces dangerously slick, organizers reported. Netflix implemented standard broadcast safety protocols, including a 10-second delay in the live feed to manage risks.
Taipei 101, once the world’s tallest building, served as an unprecedented urban free-solo challenge for Honnold. Although others, including famed climber Alain Robert, have previously scaled the skyscraper with ropes, Honnold’s ropeless ascent represented a significant milestone in urban climbing.
The broadcast featured commentary and production by a Netflix team alongside Honnold’s ascent, capturing close-to-real-time footage as he navigated the building’s exterior structural features. Climbing without any protective equipment, Honnold used only specialized climbing shoes and chalk to maintain grip as he ascended the 101-story tower.
Reactions to the event were mixed in media circles, with some celebrating the feat as a landmark achievement in climbing and live television, while others raised ethical questions about broadcasting high-risk stunts without safeguards for entertainment.
Honnold, age 40, described the climb as both physically demanding and mentally intense, given the verticality and architectural complexity of Taipei 101, which features “bamboo box”-style overhangs and steel corner sections. His successful ascent drew widespread attention and reinforced his reputation as one of the most skilled free solo climbers in the world.
Originally Published By: Variety, Netflix Tudum, People, The Guardian, and AP News coverage of Alex Honnold’s Taipei 101 climb.
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