Netflix subscribers across the UK have been left utterly bewildered and asking identical questions after witnessing free solo climbing legend Alex Honnold undertake one of his most perilous challenges to date. The groundbreaking live event, titled Skyscraper Live, showcased Honnold scaling the colossal Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taiwan without any ropes or safety equipment whatsoever.
The Daring Ascent That Captivated Audiences
Taipei 101 stands at a truly staggering height of 1,667 feet, making it one of the tallest buildings on the planet. Honnold's breathtaking climb was broadcast live on Netflix, although the original schedule faced a minor delay. Initially planned for 1am UK time on Saturday, January 24th, the event was postponed due to legitimate safety concerns regarding adverse weather conditions. The ascent ultimately proceeded at 1am UK time on Sunday, January 25th, much to the anticipation of a global audience.
Netflix's promotional material set the tone perfectly, teasing viewers with the line: "No ropes. No fear. Free solo legend Alex Honnold risks it all in a high-stakes, live ascent of one of the world's tallest skyscrapers in Taipei, Taiwan." The climb itself was a masterclass in focus and endurance, with Honnold completing the vertigo-inducing route in an impressive one hour and thirty-five minutes, keeping viewers glued to their screens throughout.
The One Question on Everyone's Mind
As Honnold successfully reached the summit, a wave of identical queries flooded social media platforms. The overwhelming question from baffled Netflix fans was not about the climb itself, but about what happened next. Dozens of viewers took to platform X to express their confusion, with comments such as:
- "How does he get down?"
- "HOW DOES HE GET BACK DOWN?"
- "How is he getting down?"
- "How did he get down?"
According to subsequent reports, the answer was far more mundane than many anticipated. After conquering the building, Alex Honnold simply took an elevator back down to ground level, a fact that surprised many who speculated he might attempt a equally dangerous descent.
Honnold's Reaction and Viewer Praise
Upon reaching the top, Honnold himself acknowledged the challenging conditions, remarking "it's windy" before capturing the moment on his personal phone, describing the panoramic view as "sick". The event drew widespread admiration from fans, with one viewer praising, "That was incredibly insane, what drives him to take such risks," while another simply stated, "There was never a doubt in my mind. He’s a machine."
The Motivation Behind the Spectacle
Many may wonder about the financial incentive for such a dangerous feat. In an interview with The New York Times, Alex Honnold revealed a surprising perspective on compensation. He indicated that he would have been willing to undertake the climb completely free of charge, purely for the personal challenge and experience.
"It’s less than my agent aspired to. I mean, I would do it for free," Honnold explained. "If there were no TV programme and the building gave me permission to go do the thing, I would do the thing because I know I can, and it’d be amazing. I mean, just sitting by yourself on the very top of the spire is insane."
He further clarified his position, stating, "And so, you know, if there wasn’t the whole spectacle around it, and I just had the opportunity to go do it by myself, I’d be fine with that. I would do that, but in this case, there is a spectacle. I’m not getting paid to climb the building. I’m getting paid for the spectacle. I’m climbing the building for free."
The full recording of Alex Honnold's extraordinary Skyscraper Live event remains available for streaming on Netflix, offering viewers a chance to witness this historic and nerve-wracking athletic achievement.
