Climber Ascends Taiwan’s Tallest Building in 90 Minutes Without Gear

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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