Alex Honnold just did what most people wouldn’t dare attempt even with a safety harness.
He free-climbed Taipei 101—the world’s 11th tallest building—without ropes or safety nets, live on Netflix.
In one hour and 35 minutes, he scaled 1,667 feet of steel, glass, and concrete while thousands watched from below and millions streamed from home.
The climber famous for his death-defying ascent of Yosemite’s El Capitan in “Free Solo” proved once again why he’s considered one of the most extraordinary athletes on Earth.
A Climb Unlike Any Other
This wasn’t Honnold’s typical solo adventure in remote wilderness. “Skyscraper Live” transformed his solitary craft into a public spectacle, complete with live commentary, celebrity guests, and crowds of Taipei residents snapping photos from inside and outside the iconic tower.
His wife, Sanni McCandless, was there too—a rarity for Honnold’s climbs. She revealed during the broadcast that she typically doesn’t attend his ascents, making this moment particularly special. When Honnold reached the summit, McCandless was waiting, and the two shared an emotional embrace.
Sick! I’m so psyched!
Those were Honnold’s first words at the top, before immediately pulling out his phone for a selfie—a perfectly modern ending to an extraordinary feat of human endurance.
Technical Challenges of Climbing a Skyscraper
Taipei 101 presented unique obstacles that natural rock formations never could. The climb began with Honnold carefully navigating the tower’s slab base before transitioning to the middle section—designed to resemble stacked “bamboo boxes” in eight-story segments.
Each box required steep climbing over overhanging sections that would challenge even elite climbers. At the corners of these boxes sat decorative dragon figures, which Honnold mounted like stepping stones to reach higher levels.
The upper portion proved most demanding, featuring overhanging sections where Honnold’s legs dangled freely as he relied purely on upper body strength. Heavy winds battered him as he ascended, and near the summit, he climbed a swinging ladder to reach the final platform—a mere four-foot space at the absolute peak.
You know what, I am kind of tired.
Honnold’s rare admission near the end revealed just how taxing the climb was, even for someone of his caliber. He also commented on the intense wind conditions at higher elevations.
When Things Didn’t Go According to Plan
Despite meticulous preparation, the live broadcast encountered hiccups. Honnold lost audio contact with his ground team at several points during the ascent—and most critically for him, lost his in-ear music soundtrack.
Fortunately, his musical motivation returned. More significantly, weather conditions forced producers to postpone the entire event by one day, pushing the climb from Saturday morning in Taipei to Sunday.
Safety Protocols Behind the Spectacle
Netflix and production company Plimsoll Productions Ltd. worked extensively with Honnold and risk management firm Secret Compass to develop comprehensive safety measures. The planning took months, with Honnold completing multiple practice climbs of Taipei 101.
Plimsoll CEO Grant Mansfield emphasized their preparation in a pre-climb interview with Variety.
Every scenario has been mapped out, as you might expect. The main focus has been on keeping Alex safe. This is a building he knows very well. It’s a building which is very well suited for climbing. If at any point he decides that he’s too tired when he’s on the building, we can get him off there as well. But Alex really knows what he’s doing. He’s an extraordinary kind of athlete.
Netflix VP of unscripted series Jeff Gaspin confirmed they had contingency plans for worst-case scenarios, including a 10-second broadcast delay that would allow them to cut away if necessary.
Making History at Taiwan’s Tallest Point
When Honnold pulled himself onto that final four-foot platform, he became the highest person in all of Taiwan. Thousands of spectators on the ground erupted in cheers and gasps, while hundreds inside Taipei 101 waved and took selfies through windows.
The broadcast featured commentary from WWE wrestler Seth Rollins, YouTube personality Mark Rober, and fellow climbers Pete Woods and Emily Harrington, with Elle Duncan hosting. The diverse lineup reflected Netflix’s effort to make free climbing accessible to mainstream audiences.
What This Means for Extreme Sports Broadcasting
“Skyscraper Live” represents a bold experiment in live event programming. Unlike traditional sports with predictable timeframes and established safety measures, free climbing involves genuine life-or-death stakes unfolding in real time.
The event showcased both the possibilities and ethical complexities of broadcasting extreme athletic achievements. While Honnold’s climb inspired millions with a display of human potential, it also raised questions about spectacle versus safety in entertainment.
For Honnold himself, the climb added another remarkable achievement to an already legendary career. From remote mountain faces to urban skyscrapers, he continues pushing boundaries most people can’t even comprehend—and somehow makes it look almost routine.
Almost. Because when someone climbs 1,667 feet without a rope, there’s nothing routine about it.