American climber Alex Honnold stunned onlookers on Sunday by scaling Taipei 101 in Taiwan without any ropes or protective equipment. The 40-year-old free solo climber completed the 508-meter (1,667-foot) ascent in just over 90 minutes. Taipei 101 was the world’s tallest building when it opened in 2004.
Crowds cheered as Honnold reached the top, describing the view as “incredible” and the day as “beautiful.” He added that high winds made the climb tricky, requiring careful balance along the spire.
Honnold first gained global attention in 2017 when he became the first person to free solo El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, a feat captured in the Oscar-winning 2018 documentary Free Solo.
The climb of Taipei 101 focused mainly on the middle 64 floors, known as the “bamboo boxes,” which give the building its signature design. Honnold tackled the eight segments of the structure, each with eight steep floors, using small L-shaped footholds and occasionally resting on balconies. He also navigated around large ornamental structures that jut out from the tower.
Despite the challenge, Honnold completed the ascent safely, impressing fans and demonstrating why he is one of the world’s most daring climbers.
