During the climb, Honnold relied on small L-shaped outcroppings for footholds and occasionally maneuvered around large ornamental structures that protrude from the corners of the tower. Balconies at the transition points between segments provided short platforms where he could stand fully upright for limited rest. Witnesses reported that he used these breaks to shake out his arms before committing to the next overhanging stretch.
Honnold rose to international prominence in 2017 after completing a free-solo ascent of El Capitan in California’s Yosemite National Park, a climb later featured in an Academy Award–winning documentary. Sunday’s performance in Taipei extends his record of tackling vertical challenges without conventional safety measures. Although other climbers have previously reached the summit of Taipei 101, including French athlete Alain Robert during the building’s grand opening in 2004, Honnold is the first to do so without any rope support.
The live broadcast attracted widespread attention and sparked debate over the ethics of televising an extreme activity with life-threatening consequences. Some viewers expressed enthusiasm for witnessing a unique feat in real time, while others questioned whether airing a climb of this magnitude might encourage copycat attempts or place undue pressure on the participant. Netflix implemented a short broadcast delay designed to mitigate the risk of showing any potential accident as it happened.
Local authorities coordinated security around the site, closing nearby sidewalks and deploying emergency personnel as a precaution. Weather conditions on Sunday were clear, a necessary change from the rain that had forced the original Saturday start time to be abandoned. Organizers emphasized that the climb would not proceed in wet or windy conditions, citing safety concerns on the smooth exterior surfaces.
Taipei 101 remains a focal point of Taiwan’s skyline and is certified by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat as one of the world’s tallest completed structures. Its steel-and-glass façade is punctuated by aluminum cladding and decorative motifs, all of which contributed handholds and footholds that Honnold exploited during the ascent. Observers noted that the tower’s tapering profile reduces in width toward the top, creating a subtle decrease in overhang for the final segments.
On reaching the summit platform, Honnold briefly raised an arm in acknowledgment of the crowd before stepping back onto a secured area staffed by event personnel. No official time for the climb was immediately released, though preliminary estimates placed the effort at just over two hours from ground to rooftop. Medical staff conducted standard post-climb checks; no injuries were reported.
The event concludes a multi-month planning process that included permits from building management, consultations with structural engineers and coordination with Taiwanese authorities. While organizers framed the climb as a showcase of human potential and urban architecture, critics in climbing circles reiterated concerns about presenting high-risk solo ascents as entertainment. Honnold, who maintains a public stance that risks are carefully calculated and personal, has yet to announce any similar projects following the Taipei success.
For Taipei 101, the climb offered a moment of renewed international focus more than two decades after the tower’s inauguration. Visitor numbers at its observation decks remain strong, and building representatives stated that regular tourist operations resumed shortly after the event. Future special activities will continue to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, the management said, weighing promotional benefits against safety considerations.
Crédito da imagem: Associated Press
