On Sunday, American rock climber Alex Honnold made headlines by scaling the iconic Taipei 101 skyscraper without any ropes or protective gear. The daring feat, which took approximately 90 minutes, was a spectacle for onlookers and viewers alike, who cheered as Honnold reached the top of the 508-meter (1,667-foot) tower. Wearing a simple red short-sleeve shirt, Honnold's arms waved triumphantly as he ascended, using small L-shaped outcroppings as footholds and occasionally maneuvering around large ornamental structures with his bare hands.
The building's unique design, with 101 floors and a challenging middle section known as the 'bamboo boxes', presented a formidable challenge. Each of the eight segments in this middle section features eight floors of steep, overhanging climbing, followed by balconies for brief rests. Despite the rain delay, Honnold's free solo climb was broadcast live on Netflix with a 10-second delay, sparking both excitement and ethical debates about the risks of such high-risk endeavors on live television.
While Honnold's achievement is remarkable, it's not the first time a climber has tackled the Taipei 101. French rock climber Alain Robert made a similar ascent in 2004, but without the use of ropes. This feat, however, was part of the grand opening celebrations of the building, which was then the world's tallest structure.
