Climber Alex Honnold scales 101-floor skyscraper without safety gear

Ottilie Mitchell
Watch: Climber Alex Honnold scales 101-floor skyscraper without safety gear

American climber Alex Honnold has successfully scaled a Taiwan skyscraper without a rope, harness or safety equipment.

The building, named Taipei 101 for the number of its floors, is 508m (1,667ft) tall, made of steel, glass and concrete and is designed to resemble a stick of bamboo.

Honnold is renowned for being the first person to climb El Capitan without ropes or safety gear. The 915m (3,000 foot) granite cliff is in California's Yosemite national park.

The climb was originally set to take place on Saturday but was delayed by wet weather.

His ascent in Taiwan's capital was streamed live on Netflix, which said there would be a delay on the live feed should the worst happen.

Honnold completed the climb in one hour and 31 minutes and celebrated the achievement with one word: "Sick."

His time more than halves the record of the only other person to scale the tower.

Alain Robert, a Frenchman who called himself "Spiderman", made it to the top of Taipei 101 - at the time the world's tallest building - in four hours. He did so with ropes and a harness.

News imageRITCHIE B TONGO/EPA/Shutterstock Alex Honnold stands on top of the Taipei 101 skyscraper building in a red t-shirt and dark trousers. There is only blue sky behind him. RITCHIE B TONGO/EPA/Shutterstock
News imageGetty Images A building occupant uses his phone to record US rock climber Alex Honnold climbing the Taipei 101 building. Honnold is wearing a red t-shirt and black trousers with yellow shoes. Getty Images

Taiwan's Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim congratulated Honnold on the ascent, writing on X: "I admit I would probably feel sick, too, barely able to watch."

Honnold was greeted at the top of the building by his wife, who expressed concern for the wind and heat as he climbed.

But there was another distraction during his ascent.

As Honnold reached the 89th floor, fans cheered and waved, face to face but for the window with the man clinging to the building.

Video of the moment was shared by Honnold and Netflix on Instagram, showing the climber continuing undeterred.

Honnold has made many extreme climbs during his career. A documentary about his ascent of El Capitan, titled Free Solo, won an Academy Award.

News imageGetty Images US rock climber Alex Honnold scales the Taipei 101 building without ropes or safety gear. He is wearing black trousers and a red t-shirt. Getty Images
News imageGetty Images Onlookers take pictures and record footage of US rock climber Alex Honnold climbing the Taipei 101 building. People are holding a variety of devices, including mobile phones and cameras. Getty Images
People is Taipei watched Honnold climb the building
News imageGetty Images US rock climber Alex Honnold raises his arms from the top of the Taipei 101 building.Getty Images
News imageReuters People look at the building while sitting on a patch of grass from a distance Reuters
The building, named Taipei 101 for the number of its floors, stands at 508m (1,667ft)

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