US rock climber Alex Honnold scaled Taipei 101, one of Asia's tallest skyscrapers, without ropes or a harness on Sunday, completing the 508-metre ascent in 91 minutes. The climb, originally scheduled for Saturday, was postponed due to rain.
Honnold, 40, used the building's horizontal metal beams to pull himself up with his bare hands. The event was broadcast live on Netflix as part of its 'Skyscraper Live' programming, drawing cheers from a crowd gathered below.
After the climb, Honnold described the experience as 'incredible' and praised the views of Taipei, though he noted strong winds made balancing difficult. He expressed hope that his feat would inspire others to pursue their own challenges, saying 'time is finite'.
The event drew criticism from some in the climbing community and a Wall Street Journal columnist, who labelled it 'voyeuristic, ghoulish and irresponsible', citing the risks of free soloing. Honnold responded that people often find inspiration from such achievements.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te congratulated Honnold on social media, noting that the broadcast showcased Taiwan's warmth and scenery. Honnold is the first person to climb Taipei 101 without ropes; French climber Alain Robert scaled it with ropes in 2004.
