Alex Honnold Climbs 101-Story Taipei Tower With No Ropes

A decade-long dream became reality when legendary climber Alex Honnold scaled one of the world's tallest buildings using only his hands and feet.

The 40-year-old American free climbed Taipei 101 on Sunday, ascending 1,667 feet in 91 minutes without ropes or safety equipment. Hundreds of spectators gathered below as Netflix broadcast the historic climb live.

"Sick," Honnold said simply as he reached the summit and took in the view. He then rappelled down to embrace his wife, Sanni McCandless Honnold, who waited below.

The climb wasn't easy to arrange. Honnold first requested permission years ago but was denied. He considered climbing without approval but chose patience and respect instead.

"Out of respect for the building and respect for all the people on the team who'd allowed me access to look at it, I was like, well obviously I'm not going to poach this," he explained. "I'm going to respect the people and just see if it ever comes together."

The wait paid off. More than ten years later, organizers and Netflix partnered to make the climb possible.

Taipei 101 stands as an engineering marvel, designed to withstand both earthquakes and tropical storms in one of the most seismically active regions on Earth. The tower held the title of world's tallest building from 2004 to 2010.

In 2004, French climber Alain Robert, known as the "French Spiderman," reached the building's peak using safety ropes. Honnold's ropeless ascent marks the first of its kind.

Why This Inspires

Honnold became a household name in 2017 after free climbing Yosemite's El Capitan, considered by many the most technically difficult climb in the world. That achievement was documented in the Oscar-winning film "Free Solo."

His latest accomplishment shows what patience and respect can achieve. Rather than forcing his dream, Honnold waited over a decade for the right opportunity.

"Time is finite," he told reporters at a press briefing. People should "use it in the best way."

Even Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te weighed in, calling the challenge "truly moving" in a Facebook post. The climb had been delayed one day due to wet weather, but clear skies finally gave Honnold his moment.

For someone who makes the impossible look routine, Honnold reminds us that the best achievements are worth waiting for.