Alex Honnold just made history—and a hefty paycheck—by free climbing one of the world’s tallest skyscrapers.
On Saturday, Netflix livestreamed the legendary rock climber scaling Taiwan’s iconic Taipei 101 building without ropes or safety gear.
While Honnold completed the death-defying feat in just over 90 minutes, what he earned for risking his life has sparked plenty of conversation.
Here’s everything you need to know about Honnold’s payday, the climb itself, and why this moment matters in climbing history.
Six Figures for Death-Defying Entertainment
Though Honnold hasn’t disclosed exact figures, reports indicate he earned a six-figure sum for the Netflix special.
But according to Honnold himself, that number feels almost laughable compared to mainstream athletes.
If you put it in the context of mainstream sports, it’s an embarrassingly small amount. You know, Major League Baseball players get like $170 million contracts.
Despite his agent pushing for more, Honnold admitted the compensation fell short of initial expectations. Still, money wasn’t his primary motivator.
He Would Have Done It for Free
In a revealing interview with the New York Times before the climb, Honnold made clear that financial reward wasn’t driving his decision.
If there was no TV program and the building gave me permission to go do the thing, I would do the thing because I know I can, and it’d be amazing. Just sitting by yourself on the very top of the spire is insane.
Honnold distinguished between climbing as a personal challenge versus climbing as entertainment, noting he wasn’t “getting paid to climb” but rather “getting paid for the spectacle.”
This distinction highlights a fundamental truth about professional climbing: athletes often pursue their passion first, monetization second.
The Challenge: 1,667 Feet of Vertical Terror
Taipei 101 isn’t just any building—it’s currently the world’s 11th-tallest skyscraper, standing at an imposing 1,667 feet.
When it opened in late 2004, it held the title of world’s tallest building. Honnold conquered all 101 floors in exactly 1 hour, 31 minutes, and 35 seconds.
The Notorious “Bamboo Boxes”
The building’s signature architectural feature—eight stacked “bamboo box” segments—presented the greatest challenge.
Each segment contains eight floors of steep, overhanging surfaces that tested even Honnold’s elite climbing abilities. Between segments, small balconies offered brief resting opportunities.
These 64 middle floors proved particularly demanding, requiring constant strength, endurance, and mental focus without any safety equipment.
Weather Delays and Livestream Drama
Netflix’s ambitious livestream plan hit an immediate snag when poor weather forced a 24-hour delay.
Once conditions improved, the streaming platform broadcast Honnold’s entire ascent, marking a significant moment for both climbing and live entertainment.
The event represented Netflix’s bold move into live extreme sports broadcasting, combining genuine athletic achievement with must-watch television.
A Household Name, Even in Taiwan
Honnold’s reputation extends far beyond American climbing gyms.
Taiwanese climber Chin Tzu-hsiang noted that Honnold is recognized worldwide among climbing enthusiasts. At his local gym, even beginners with just one or two years of experience were eagerly anticipating the livestream.
For Taiwanese climbers like Chin, Taipei 101 has always represented an intriguing “what if” scenario—a landmark they’ve gazed at their entire lives, wondering if climbing it was possible.
Trust in Preparation Over Recklessness
Despite the inherent danger, Chin expressed confidence in Honnold’s approach.
Based on watching Honnold’s previous climbs—including his legendary rope-free ascent of El Capitan documented in the Oscar-winning film Free Solo—Chin trusts that meticulous preparation defines Honnold’s method, not reckless risk-taking.
This professional assessment underscores an important reality: elite free climbers like Honnold don’t gamble with their lives. They calculate, prepare, and execute with precision that most people can’t comprehend.
What This Means for Climbing’s Future
Honnold’s Taipei 101 climb represents more than personal achievement—it signals climbing’s continued evolution as mainstream entertainment.
Key takeaways from this historic event:
- Visibility: Netflix’s involvement brings extreme climbing to millions of viewers who might never watch traditional climbing content
- Compensation gap: Despite life-threatening risk, climbers earn significantly less than mainstream athletes
- Urban climbing: Skyscrapers offer new frontiers beyond traditional rock faces and mountain walls
- Live broadcasting: Real-time coverage adds dramatic tension impossible to replicate in edited documentaries
Whether Honnold’s six-figure payday seems adequate depends entirely on perspective. Compared to professional athletes in established sports, it’s modest. Compared to most climbers’ earnings, it’s substantial.
What remains undisputed is Honnold’s willingness to pursue extraordinary challenges regardless of compensation—a mindset that defines true passion-driven athletes across all disciplines.