This Daredevil Climbed One Of The World’s Tallest Buildings Without Any Protective Gear

Feb 03, 2026 by apost team

Alex Honnold has never been interested in doing things the safe or conventional way. Long before crowds gathered or cameras rolled, the Sacramento native had already built a reputation as one of the most fearless climbers on the planet. He became globally known for scaling Yosemite National Park’s El Capitan without ropes, a feat that redefined what was considered possible in modern climbing and cemented his legacy as a free-solo pioneer. Since then, Honnold has continued to push limits, including a demanding 3,750-foot ascent of a sheer cliff in Greenland in 2022 alongside fellow climber Hazel Findlay.

That background made his latest challenge feel almost inevitable. Still, this time was different. Instead of a remote rock face, Honnold found himself staring up at one of the world’s eleventh-tallest buildings, Taipei 101, in Taipei, Taiwan.

He climbed the 1,667-foot Taipei 101 skyscraper without ropes or protective gear. The ascent, completed in just over 90 minutes, was broadcast live on Netflix as part of a special event titled “Skyscraper Live,” placing one of the world’s most dangerous athletic feats directly in front of a global audience. For Honnold, 40, the climb marked a rare moment where his typically solitary pursuits unfolded in the middle of a major city, surrounded by thousands of spectators.

Wearing a red short-sleeve shirt, Honnold scaled one corner of the iconic tower, relying on small L-shaped outcroppings as footholds and pulling himself upward with his bare hands. The building’s design added layers of difficulty, particularly the middle section known as the bamboo boxes. These eight stacked segments feature steep, overhanging climbs followed by narrow balconies, where Honnold paused briefly before continuing upward.

That climb unfolded high above Taipei on Jan. 25, 2026, when Honnold scaled the iconic 1,667-foot Taipei 101 skyscraper without ropes or protective gear. The filmed special of the ascent, titled “Skyscraper Live,” was broadcast on Netflix with a short delay and marked one of the most daring urban climbs ever attempted. Wearing a red short-sleeve shirt, Honnold reached the summit in just over 90 minutes and waved to the crowd below.

​”It was like what a view, it’s incredible, what a beautiful day,” he said once he reached the top.

But conditions were far from calm.

“It was very windy, so I was like, don’t fall off the spire. I was trying to balance nicely. But it was, what an incredible position, what a beautiful way to see Taipei.”

Speaking afterward, Honnold admitted that the presence of a cheering crowd was unfamiliar.

“When I was leaving the ground, you’re like oh it’s kind of intense, there’s so many people watching,” he said. But the mood quickly shifted.

“Honestly, they’re all wishing me well. I mean basically it just makes the whole experience feel almost more festive, all these nice people are out supporting me and having a good time.”

The ethical debate surrounding such high-risk feats has followed Honnold throughout his career, especially when money and media are involved. Asked by The New York Times how much he was paid for the climb, he brushed it off.

“I’m not gonna say,” he said, adding it was “an embarrassing amount,” making it clear that for him, the focus has always remained on the climb itself.

While others have climbed Taipei 101 before, including French climber Alain Robert in 2004, Honnold is the first to do it entirely free solo. The result was a rare blend of spectacle and mastery, and another defining moment in a career built on impossible heights.

apost.com

What can you say about Alex Honnold’s new accomplishment? Does it make you anxious seeing someone climb that high without protective equipment? Let us know, and then pass this on to your family, friends, and other loved ones out there!