Alex Honnold Attempts True Free Solo of Taipei 101

American climbing legend Alex Honnold, renowned for his rope-free ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite, is set to attempt a true free solo of Taipei 101, the 508-metre (1,667-foot) iconic skyscraper in Taiwan. Originally scheduled for Saturday, January 24, 2026, the climb was postponed due to adverse weather and rescheduled for Sunday, January 25.

Honnold aims to scale the building entirely without ropes, harnesses, or any protective gear—a pure free solo in the style that made him famous. The event, livestreamed globally by Netflix, drew massive attention as one of the most high-profile urban climbing challenges in recent years.

This attempt revives memories of French "Spiderman" Alain Robert's historic ascent of the same building in December 2004, shortly after Taipei 101 was completed and briefly held the title of the world's tallest structure. On Christmas Day that year, amid drizzling rain and strong winds at height, Robert faced slippery glass curtain walls and aluminium surfaces that drastically reduced friction.

A passionate advocate of free soloing, Robert initially planned to climb without any aids. However, Taipei 101 management, concerned about potential risks to the building's image in case of an accident, insisted on safety measures. After negotiations, he compromised by wearing a safety rope for backup while still climbing primarily with his hands and feet.

It took Robert nearly four hours—longer than expected due to the conditions—to reach the top, where he received a gift from a Santa Claus figure, creating a memorable holiday moment. While impressive, the roped ascent left a sense of unfinished business for purists compared to a complete free solo.

Honnold's planned climb seeks to achieve what Robert could not: a fully unprotected ascent of the skyscraper. The attempt highlights the evolution of urban free soloing, building on Taipei 101's unique structural features that make it one of the few skyscrapers suitable for such a feat.