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Photographed by daredevil climber Alex Honnold. extreme travel On Saturday, January 24, he reached new heights by climbing Taipei 101, Taiwan’s skyscraper, without the use of ropes or protective equipment, overcoming the building’s most difficult element – the bamboo box.
The American climb was broadcast live on Netflix with a 10-second delay. “Skyscraper Live”.
The two-hour event was held at 8pm ET. Before the climb, Honnold appeared calm, at least on the surface, when he arrived with his wife, Sanni McCandless. As he prepared, he was shown wearing custom-made shoes to help him move on glass and steel.
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“I think people think I’m just scared, but I’ve seen the work,” said his wife, Sanni McCandless. told Netflix’s Tudam. “My job is to be that person at the top who reminds him that he’s more than just a climber, he’s a father and a husband.”
Honnold, a professional rock climber, started in the southeast corner of the building. During the broadcast, he was sometimes seen with his head down and smiling at the audience on the street. Fans inside the building were observed taking pictures of him with cell phones.
American daredevil mountaineer Alex Honnold said he had always dreamed of climbing Taiwan’s skyscraper Taipei 101. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
“The views are amazing,” Honnold told a Netflix announcer. “It’s pretty surreal, to be honest.”
Honnold finally sat down on a ledge as he neared the end of his climb.
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“I’m fine,” he said. “I’m definitely tired. … I’m trying to pace myself.”
“This is so cool.”
He still had to climb the ring and the spire.
he finally reach the top, he waved.
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“You did it. You made history,” the announcer said. “This is what you’ve imagined your whole life.”
Honnold declared, “This is so cool. I’m so excited and I’m actually pretty tired.”
On January 24, 2026, American rock climber Alex Honnold independently climbs Taipei 101, a skyscraper in Taipei, Taiwan. (AP Photo/Yingying Chiang)
Honnold, 40, a Las Vegas-based father of two, had dreamed of climbing the 101-story building for more than a decade.
This glass and steel skyscraper opened in December 2004 and was the world’s tallest building until 2010. The 1,667-foot-tall building can be spotted from almost anywhere in the city.
“I think I’ve always been curious about what it’s like to climb a building this big,” Honnold said. recently to dam. “I’ve climbed many huge walls around the world, but I’ve never climbed a man-made wall like this.”
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Honnold rose to fame in June 2017 as the first person to complete the entire route solo and free. el capitan Inside Yosemite National Park.
But climbing Taipei 101 was different, he says.
Honnold is pictured on the edge of Taipei 101, a skyscraper in Taiwan. (AP Photo/Yingying Chiang)
“The most difficult part of the climb will be what we call the ‘bamboo box,'” Honnold told the same source ahead of time.
“The box is definitely the most physically taxing part.”
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Psychological factors are also taken into account.
Dr. Michael Gervais, a California-based psychologist, said he has known Honnold for about 10 years. Gervais said Honnold is always deeply focused on what he is trying to accomplish.
A man has recorded American rock climber Honnold climbing the Taipei 101 building without ropes or safety equipment. (I-Hwa Cheng/AFP via Getty Images)
“He’s working hard on his training. He’s working hard on the plan. He’s working hard on the process,” the psychologist told FOX News Digital before the climb happened. “He strives to be fully immersed in the task at hand.”
Mr. Gervais interviewed Honnold. Podcast “Finding Mastery”said that he believed Honnold was “one of the most important athletes of our time. He has complete control over his technical skills, his physical skills, and his mental skills.”
Honnold raises his fist at the top of Taipei 101, a skyscraper in Taipei, Taiwan. (AP Photo/Yingying Chiang)
Dr. Matthew Mikesell, a Minnesota sports psychologist, says that elite athletes ask themselves, “Where do you need to reach your peak? daily routine and habits Can I arrange to get there? ”
When Mr. Honnold reached the top of the 1,667-foot tower’s spire about 90 minutes after his departure, spectators along the route cheered.
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Honnold could be seen waving his arms back and forth above his head.
“I was like, “What a view, this is unbelievable.” What a wonderful day,“It was so windy, I was hoping I wouldn’t fall off the spire,” he said afterward, according to the Associated Press. I was trying to find a good balance. But what an incredible location and what a beautiful way to see Taipei. ”
Honnold was paid to participate in the event, but did not disclose specific compensation in media interviews.
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
