Alex Honnold Free-Solos Taipei 101 During Netflix Livestream
Alex Honnold reached the 1,667-foot spire of Taipei 101 in 1 hour and 31 minutes during a Netflix livestream on Jan. 24, 2026.
Overview
Alex Honnold free-soloed Taipei 101 and reached the 1,667-foot spire in 1 hour and 31 minutes during a Netflix livestream with a 10-second delay on Jan. 24, 2026, organizers said.
Organizers billed the climb as the biggest urban free-solo attempt and said it was postponed from Jan. 23, 2026 because of rain, with the stream set for 8 p.m. ET, Netflix said.
Safety advocates and members of the climbing community raised ethical concerns about broadcasting a ropeless ascent live, while organizers defended their safety protocols, according to statements and social media posts.
Honnold, 40, completed Taipei 101 in 1 hour and 31 minutes, and records show that was more than twice as fast as Alain Robert's roughly four-hour ascent in 2004.
Organizers said they will continue to monitor weather and safety, and they could impose further delays or change press access for future broadcasts, Netflix said.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present the event in a straightforward, descriptive manner, avoiding loaded language and prioritizing factual details (route, time, broadcast). They include direct quotes from Honnold, note public concern about ethics, and offer historical context (Alain Robert), showing balanced source content rather than sustained editorial framing.
Sources (24)
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FAQ
Free solo climbing is scaling a structure or rock face without ropes, harnesses, or other safety aids, relying solely on the climber's skill and grip.
Producers monitored weather and Honnold's mindset using a 'two-tick system' where he must feel good to proceed; delays were planned for poor conditions, and every scenario was mapped out, though no harnesses were used.
The climb was postponed from January 23, 2026, due to rain, and rescheduled for January 24 with the livestream starting at 8 p.m. ET.
Honnold completed the 1,667-foot ascent in 1 hour and 31 minutes, more than twice as fast as Alain Robert's roughly four-hour climb in 2004.
Safety advocates and climbers raised ethical concerns about broadcasting a ropeless ascent live, while organizers defended their safety protocols.
History
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