Discover everything you need to know about Alex Honnold's record-breaking Taipei 101 climb
Taipei 101 is an iconic building in Taiwan’s capital city, Taipei. It’s also not something you’d expect someone to climb – yet that’s exactly what Alex Honnold did.
In January 2026, Honnold became the first person to scale the exterior of one of the world’s tallest skyscrapers without ropes, using only the building’s tiny architectural features and narrow ledges.
So why did Honnold do it? How did the climb go? And what makes Taipei 101 such a unique challenge compared to natural walls like El Capitan?
Let’s find out.
What you’ll learn:
- The reasons behind Honnold’s climb, from fulfilling a dream to promoting the Honnold Foundation
- What happened on the day of the climb, including the key moments and technical challenges
- The aftermath and historic significance of being the first to free solo a skyscraper
- FAQs comparing Taipei 101 and El Capitan, and insights into why Honnold is still climbing
- How you can experience your own adventure through Kandoo Adventures
What is Taipei 101, and how tall is it?
Taipei 101 is an iconic skyscraper, rising 508 metres (1,667 feet) above Taipei in Taiwan. The building has 101 floors of offices, shops, restaurants, and observation decks.
Designed to resemble a bamboo stalk, the tower symbolises growth, strength, and resilience. Sitting in a region prone to earthquakes and typhoons, its structure is certainly something to marvel at.
When it opened in 2004, it was the world’s tallest building. Today, it remains a standout example of bold, modern architecture. It’s technically complex, architecturally iconic, and absolutely not the sort of structure you’d expect anyone to climb – especially without ropes.
Enter: Alex Honnold.
What did Alex Honnold do on Taipei 101?
In January 2026, Alex Honnold became the first person to free solo Taipei 101.
Free soloing involves climbing without ropes, a harness, or any safety equipment.
To put this into perspective, Alex climbed the exterior of one of the world’s tallest skyscrapers using its tiny architectural features, narrow ledges, and structural details.
Here are some of the highlights from the day:
The climb was carefully coordinated and broadcast live on Netflix, but there was no safety net once he left the ground. It was a unique kind of free solo: urban, unconventional and very different from the El Capitan free solo he did in 2017!
Alex Honnold Taipei 101: The reasons behind it
Wondering why anyone would willingly climb a huge skyscraper of their own free will?
At first glance, watching Alex Honnold climb Taipei 101 feels like looking at someone casually ignoring the laws of self-preservation. But the reasons behind it are way more intentional and, honestly, very on brand.
Let’s find out more about Alex Honnold's motivations:
To fulfil a long-held dream of climbing an iconic, man-made structure
Honnold has spent decades on the world’s most famous natural walls, but the idea of climbing a truly iconic building had been on his radar for years.
In an interview with Netflix, Honnold said:
“I think I’ve always had curiosity about what it would feel like to climb a building this big. I’ve climbed tons of huge walls in the world but never something man-made like that.
Also, buildings are steeper than most rock faces. Most rock faces, even the ones that look vertical, aren’t actually vertical, or they’re not vertical for the whole way - whereas the building is vertical the whole way, so it’s cool. It’s just a difference, and it’s exciting.”
Because Taipei 101 is the right shape for climbing
This part matters more than people realise. Taipei 101’s tiered, stacked design creates natural breaks, edges, and rhythms that actually lend themselves to climbing. It’s not a smooth glass needle like the Shard; it’s a vertical staircase of repeating forms, which makes it suitable for climbing.
To take on a new kind of free climbing challenge
Urban climbing brings a totally different mental game. There’s no cracks, no texture, and endless repetition that you simply don’t get when climbing natural rock.
Here’s what he said about the act of solo free climbing a man-made building:
“The movement is a little different in that buildings are much more repetitive; it’s just the same movement patterns over and over. So that also means that, in general, buildings are a little bit less tricky. It’s not like you’re going to forget one of the key footholds or something, whereas on rock faces sometimes it’s hard to remember exactly how to climb something.”
“On a building, you know how to climb it, but it’s physically more taxing because you’re doing the same thing over and over, so your muscles get tired.”
To entertain people
Honnold knows that a man scaling one of the tallest buildings in the world is entertaining. In this interview with Netflix, Honnold says:
“I assume that most people will be sort of uncomfortable watching the whole thing. But I hope that viewers get a little bit of my joy from the experience — that they can appreciate the fun of it and the beauty of it, the scenery, just the whole experience. It’s not just extreme sports — it’s more.”
Off the back of all this hype, Honnold has an opportunity to promote things that really matter to him (which leads nicely to our next point).
To raise awareness for the Honnold Foundation
Any time Alex Honnold is in the spotlight, he uses it to bring attention to bigger things, like the Honnold Foundation.
Alex founded the non-profit to support sustainable energy projects in underserved communities around the world. The foundation focuses on practical solutions that improve daily life while reducing environmental impact, including solar power installations and clean energy education.
Honnold has been open about the fact that he’s not interested in attention for attention’s sake. If someone else could be the spokesperson for the charity to raise more awareness, he’d let them.
But the fact is, he already has a huge platform off the back of climbing El Capitan (and his other incredible free soloing feats). And if climbing one of the tallest buildings on Earth gets people to stop scrolling, listen, and learn about access to clean energy, then the spectacle serves a purpose, right?
Any time Alex Honnold is in the spotlight, he uses it to bring attention to bigger things, like the Honnold Foundation.
Alex founded the non-profit to support sustainable energy projects in underserved communities around the world. The foundation focuses on practical solutions that improve daily life while reducing environmental impact, including solar power installations and clean energy education.
Honnold has been open about the fact that he’s not interested in attention for attention’s sake. If someone else could be the spokesperson for the charity to raise more awareness, he’d let them.
But the fact is, he already has a huge platform off the back of climbing El Capitan (and his other incredible free soloing feats). And if climbing one of the tallest buildings on Earth gets people to stop scrolling, listen, and learn about access to clean energy, then the spectacle serves a purpose, right?
The climb itself: How did it go on the day?
Having climbed the route with a rope prior to the big day, he arrived early, studied the route one last time, and made sure conditions (wind, weather, and visibility) were optimal.
Side note: The climb had already been postponed once due to high winds. Waiting for the perfect window was essential to ensure safety and success on the day.
Once he started, it was pure focus. Honnold moved deliberately, hand over hand, foot over foot, up the tiered steps of Taipei 101. The building’s vertical rhythm became like a series of repeating puzzles of familiar movements hundreds of metres in the air.
But in between moments of pure focus, he enjoyed the experience. Honnold could be seen smiling, waving to people watching below and in the building, and having a few jokes with his cameraman hanging nearby.
Muscle fatigue was a real challenge. The repetitive movement of climbing buildings is deceptively tiring:
“I think it’s less intimidating than some of the big rock free solos I’ve done. But on the other hand, it means the challenge comes more from the overall physicality of it — just the fatigue that builds over the course of the building — and that’s slightly harder to anticipate.”
Unlike rock faces, where the brain constantly puzzles out new problems, here it was Alex’s endurance, rhythm, and consistency that ruled.
Spectators in the building waved and cheered him on, captivated by the unusual sight of a human scaling the outside of the building before their eyes.
Fun fact: Alex paused briefly in a kneebar to rest his arms – a small, calculated moment to conserve energy and stay steady.
Alex Honnold climbed Taipei 101 in 1 hour and 31 minutes, completing the climb with the same calm precision he brings to any big wall.
In short: The climb was smooth, controlled, precise, and very Alex Honnold. No theatrics and no panic, just pure climbing mastery.
The aftermath: The first climber to free solo one of the world’s tallest skyscrapers
When Honnold reached the top of Taipei 101, the moment was met with real energy from people watching around the building. As he climbed, cheers broke out on the streets and those watching through windows inside Taipei 101.
The climb immediately made headlines. The sheer scale and skill of the climb (and thanks to Netflix’s live broadcast) meant that the event drew attention from around the world.
Honnold himself emerged at the top, tired but satisfied. “Sick!” he exclaimed at the top of the tower, “I’m so psyched!” He then took a selfie before transitioning back down to the observation deck via harness, where he was met by his wife, Sanni.
Afterwards, he described the climb as both physically taxing and mentally rewarding, highlighting the focus and endurance it required.
In this interview with Netflix Sports, he said:
“It’s a reminder that [our] time is finite and [we] should use it in the most meaningful way that they can. If you work really hard at it, you can do hard things if you try.”
FAQs about Taipei 101 and Alex Honnold
Was Alex Honnold free soloing Taipei 101?
Yes. Honnold climbed Taipei 101 without ropes or safety gear, making him the first person to free solo the building. While the climb was live‑filmed and controlled in terms of timing and conditions, it was still entirely free solo.
How hard was the Taipei 101 climb?
Climbing Taipei 101 was demanding but different from natural rock. Buildings like Taipei 101 are vertical with repeating edges, so the challenge comes from repetition, endurance, and precision, rather than solving complex rock problems.
How does Taipei 101 compare to El Capitan?
El Capitan is a massive, natural rock wall (over 900 metres tall) with highly variable terrain, cracks, and overhangs. The climb is extremely technical, requiring advanced problem-solving, precision, and mental focus.
Taipei 101, by contrast, is shorter (508 metres), vertical, and man-made with repeating edges and tiers. While still physically and mentally challenging, the risk is lower, and the movement is more predictable.
This makes it suitable for a live broadcast and public spectacle (something that would have been unthinkable for El Capitan).
Note: You can watch the Free Solo documentary on Netflix for more insight into Honnold’s process ahead of tackling this incredible feat. Or, read our blog about how Taipei 101 compares to El Capitan.
Why is Alex Honnold still climbing after El Capitan?
Climbing isn’t just a hobby for Alex Honnold, it’s his life and livelihood. Even after monumental achievements like free-soloing El Cap, climbing remains the core of his identity, shaping how he spends his days and the work he chooses to pursue.
It provides purpose, focus, and meaning, while also supporting his broader projects (like the Honnold Foundation) by keeping him in the public eye.
Inspired by Alex Honnold? Have your own adventure with Kandoo
Alex Honnold’s climb of Taipei 101 shows what’s possible when preparation, focus, and a love for adventure come together. His journey proves that adventure is about purpose, skill, and pushing your limits.
If you’re ready to create your own adventure, Kandoo Adventures offers guided trips to explore summits and tackle challenges safely and with expert support. But don’t worry – our guides won’t have you free-soloing a skyscraper! With Kandoo, your safety is our priority, and every trip is backed by expert support.