Alex Honnold to Free Solo Taipei 101 in Live Netflix Broadcast
Professional rock climber Alex Honnold is set to undertake one of his most dangerous feats yet, as he attempts a free solo ascent of Taipei 101, one of the world's tallest skyscrapers. The stunt, which will be streamed live on Netflix, involves scaling the 1,667-foot tower in Taiwan's capital without any safety ropes or gear, putting his life on the line in a highly publicised event.
Fatal Risks and Unusual Safety Aspects
In an interview with CNN ahead of the climb, Honnold addressed the potential consequences of a fall, confirming it would likely be fatal. However, he noted that the building's design offers some unexpected safety features. "If something happens, I would die, though actually, on this particular building, that's not even totally true because there are balconies every few floors," Honnold explained. "The geometry of the building is such that you actually could fall in tons of places and not actually die, which makes it in some ways safer than a lot of rock-climbing objectives."
Architectural Challenges of Taipei 101
Built in 2004, Taipei 101 features mostly glass curtain walls and balconies near its tapered peak. It once held the title of the world's tallest building until surpassed by Dubai's Burj Khalifa in 2010. Honnold highlighted the most demanding section of the climb, known as the "bamboo boxes." "I think the hardest part of the climb will be what we're calling the bamboo boxes, which are eight segments in the middle of the building that are overhanging," he told Netflix's Tudum. "Each one is eight floors, so it represents 64 floors in the middle of the building, and they're all the same. They overhang, I don't know, 10 or 15 degrees — it's kind of steep — and then there's a balcony every eight floors... The boxes are definitely the most physically demanding part."
Personal Reflections and Family Concerns
Honnold's wife, Sanni McCandless, acknowledged public worries about his free-soloing now that he is a father to two young children. In a recent trailer for Skyscraper Live, she stated, "This is who Alex is." Honnold rose to global fame in 2017 after becoming the first person to free solo a full route on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, a feat documented in the Oscar-winning film Free Solo.
Nerves and Mindset Ahead of the Climb
Despite his experience, Honnold admitted to feeling some apprehension. "I'm sure I'll feel a little nervous at the bottom, just because it's something totally new and I don't know how it's going to feel," he added to Tudum. "I've spent 30 years climbing rock faces; this is going to be my first big handmade structure, so I'm sure it'll feel a little different." When asked about performing under the watch of millions, he dismissed concerns, emphasising his focus on the challenge. "Just because the feeling of being witnessed is nothing compared to the feeling of trying to do something challenging and do it well," Honnold said. "My life is on the line — I don't really care who's watching. I care about doing what I'm doing and doing it well."
Broadcast Details and Timing
The live stream, titled Skyscraper Live, is scheduled for Friday at 8pm E.T./5pm P.T. on Netflix. This event marks a significant moment in extreme sports broadcasting, blending high-stakes athleticism with real-time entertainment.
