Climber Alex Honnold scales 101-floor skyscraper without safety gear

BBC News - WorldCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete January 25, 2026 at 10:46 AM

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American climber Alex Honnold successfully scaled the 101-floor Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taiwan without ropes, a harness, or any safety equipment. The climb, originally scheduled for Saturday but delayed due to weather, took Honnold one hour and 31 minutes. His ascent was streamed live on Netflix with a delay. Honnold's time more than halved the previous record set by Alain Robert, who used ropes and a harness. The climb garnered attention, including congratulations from Taiwan's Vice President and support from fans watching from inside the building. Honnold is known for his free solo climbs, including El Capitan, which was documented in the Academy Award-winning film "Free Solo."

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Key Player Opposition Context

Yosemite National Park 30% Hsiao Bi-khim 40% El Capitan ×240% Alain Robert 50% Netflix ×260% Taiwan ×380% Taipei 101 ×590% Alex Honnold ×9100%

Keywords

alex honnold 100% free solo climbing 90% skyscraper scaling 80% taipei 101 80% no safety gear 70% extreme climbing 60% el capitan 50% alain robert 40%