American climber Alex Honnold scaled the Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taipei, Taiwan, on Sunday without any rope or protective equipment, accomplishing another extreme climb.
Cheers erupted from the crowd gathered below the building as Alex began his ascent of the 508-meter-high tower, using horizontal metal beams to climb with his hands. Of particular note was the moment when he stopped along the way, turned to the audience and greeted them, wearing a red T-shirt that stood out against the building's facade.
After reaching the summit, which took him 1 hour and 31 minutes, Honnold described the experience as extraordinary. “The view was incredible, a really beautiful day,” he said. “It was so windy, I kept thinking I was going to fall. I was trying to keep my balance, but it was an incredible position and a unique way to see Taipei.”
The climber said he hopes his climb will serve as an inspiration to others.
"I think people often find the push they need to pursue their challenges or goals. Sometimes it's exactly the push they need to do what they want in life."
The presence of a large crowd was something unusual for him. “At first I was a little nervous, because there were so many people looking at me,” he said. “But then you realize that everyone is wishing you the best.”
Taipei 101 has 101 floors, and the most difficult part of the climb was the middle 64-story segment, known as the “bamboo boxes,” which give the building its characteristic appearance. These are divided into eight sections, each with eight floors, where the climb is steep and with exits, while the balconies served as resting points.
Honnold is not the first climber to climb Taipei 101, but he is the first to do so without a rope. French climber Alain Robert scaled the building in 2004, during its official opening, but with safety equipment.
The climb was streamed live on Netflix and sparked not only excitement but also concerns about the ethical aspects of live streaming such a dangerous activity.
