American rock climber Alex Honnold successfully climbed the Taipei 101 skyscraper without ropes or protective gear on January 25, 2026, completing the ascent in just 90 minutes. The 1,667-foot climb drew cheers from a street-level crowd as Honnold navigated the building using small outcroppings and window ledges, with the most challenging section being the mid-level “bamboo boxes.” Despite the presence of spectators, Honnold found their support uplifting, describing the experience as a “great” way to see Taipei. He is the first climber to free solo the iconic building, previously climbed by Alain Robert with ropes in 2004.
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