Taipei, Taiwan – On Sunday, December 25, 2026, thousands of spectators in Taipei and millions watching worldwide witnessed a breathtaking spectacle as famed climber Alex Honnold became the first person to free solo Taipei 101, one of the tallest skyscrapers on Earth.
For 92 minutes, Honnold scaled the 1,667-foot (508-meter) tower without ropes, safety nets, or equipment – relying only on his bare hands and a chalk bag. At 10:43 am local time, he clambered onto the spire’s summit, grinning and waving to the cheering crowd below. The moment instantly entered climbing folklore as one of the most daring urban ascents ever attempted.
“The Biggest Urban Free Solo Climb Ever”
Speaking at a news conference after the climb, Honnold described the experience as surreal:
“It’s amazing, I’m sure I’ll be glowing for days, it’s incredible. You spend so long thinking about it and imagining it’s possible, but then to actually do it always feels different.”
Honnold, 40, has been a towering figure in the climbing community for nearly two decades. He rose to prominence in his early 20s with bold free solo ascents, but became a household name in 2017 after conquering El Capitan in Yosemite National Park – a feat immortalized in the Oscar-winning documentary Free Solo.
Though he had dreamed of climbing Taipei 101 for over a decade, the opportunity only materialized when Netflix pitched the idea and live-streamed the event. Honnold called it “the biggest urban free solo climb ever.”
Calm Amid the Crowd
The climb was originally scheduled for Saturday but postponed due to poor weather. Sunday dawned clear and calm, providing ideal conditions.
“For me, personally, the biggest challenge was staying calm. Having the crowd, having the whole experience, having all the people around just made it feel a little more intense,” Honnold said. “But as I climbed, I relaxed more and more, like, ‘Oh, this is so fun, this is why I do it.’”
Unlike sheer rock faces, Taipei 101 offered ledges, beams, and metal structures for grip. Honnold moved quickly, pausing occasionally on balconies to wave at fans. His wife, Sanni McCandless, watched nervously from inside the building, later admitting: “I was basically having a panic attack the entire time.”
A Building with History
When it opened in 2004, Taipei 101 was the tallest building in the world until Dubai’s Burj Khalifa surpassed it in 2010. French climber Alain Robert had previously scaled the tower with ropes during its inauguration, taking four hours in stormy conditions. Honnold’s ascent, by contrast, took just one and a half hours.
Global Recognition
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te congratulated Honnold, calling the climb “truly nerve-wracking” and expressing hope that the event showcased “the warmth of the Taiwanese people and the island’s beautiful hills and landscapes.”
Honnold, ever understated, summed up his achievement with characteristic simplicity:
“It’s so great. What a nice day.”
Conclusion
Alex Honnold’s free solo of Taipei 101 marks a milestone in both climbing and urban adventure. Beyond the spectacle, his ascent serves as a reminder of human resilience, daring, and the pursuit of personal challenges. For climbers and spectators alike, December 25, 2026, will be remembered as the day Honnold turned a skyscraper into a vertical playground.
