In a startling revelation, renowned free solo climber Alex Honnold has admitted to receiving what he describes as an 'embarrassingly small' fee for his breathtaking, rope-free ascent of the iconic Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taiwan. The 40-year-old American athlete successfully scaled the towering 1,667-foot structure, formerly the world's tallest building, in a daring stunt broadcast live by Netflix last Sunday morning.
The Nerve-Shredding Ascent
Honnold's climb, which took approximately 90 minutes from start to finish, saw him navigate the skyscraper's formidable exterior without any safety ropes or harnesses. Wearing a distinctive red short-sleeve shirt, he utilised small L-shaped outcroppings as footholds, periodically manoeuvring around large ornamental structures that protrude from the building's facade. The live broadcast was intentionally delayed by 10 seconds as a precautionary measure, in case any tragic incident occurred during the climb.
Financial Details and Motivations
According to reports from The New York Times, Honnold was paid a 'mid six-figure sum' for his participation in the Netflix-sponsored event. However, the climber candidly confessed that he would have undertaken the ascent for free if Taipei 101 had granted him permission to climb without the streaming giant's involvement. '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,' Honnold stated, highlighting his pure passion for the challenge.
Technical Challenges and Crowd Reaction
The Taipei 101 building features 101 floors, with the most demanding section being the 64 floors of the middle segment, known as the 'bamboo boxes' that give the structure its signature appearance. Divided into eight segments, each comprised eight floors of steep, overhanging climbing followed by balconies where Honnold took brief rests. Reflecting on the experience, he remarked, 'It was like what a view, it's incredible, what a beautiful day. It was very windy, so I was like, don't fall off the spire. I was trying to balance nicely.'
For Honnold, whose climbs typically occur in remote, isolated locations, the presence of a cheering street-level crowd was an unusual and initially unnerving aspect. 'When I was leaving the ground, you're like oh it's kind of intense, there's so many people watching,' he recalled. 'But then honestly, they're all wishing me well. I mean basically it just makes the whole experience feel almost more festive, all these nice people are out supporting me and having a good time.'
Public Scrutiny and Historical Context
The highly anticipated event generated global excitement but also prompted some fans to question Honnold's motives, given that he is a married father of two young daughters, June and Alice. Critics wondered why he would risk his life with such familial responsibilities. Despite this scrutiny, Honnold is not the first climber to ascend Taipei 101; French rock climber Alain Robert achieved the feat on Christmas Day in 2004 as part of the building's grand opening, taking nearly four hours under challenging weather conditions while nursing an injured elbow.
Preparation and Perspective
Honnold, who is famed for his ropeless ascent of Yosemite National Park's El Capitan, had been training for months in preparation for the Taipei 101 climb. He previously downplayed the difficulty, stating on a climbing podcast, 'I don't think it'll be that extreme. We'll see. I think it's the perfect sweet spot where it's hard enough to be engaging for me and obviously an interesting climb.' His successful completion of the ascent, marked by triumphant selfies at the summit, underscores his unparalleled skill and confidence in high-stakes environments.
