TAIPEI (TVBS News) — American climber Alex Honnold described his free solo ascent of Taipei 101 (台北101) on Sunday (Jan. 26) as a surreal fulfillment of a dream more than a decade in the making, saying the one-day weather delay transformed what could have been a straightforward climb into something that felt like a grand mountaineering expedition.
"It really feels like we've been here on a climbing expedition, climbing in the mountains, because with the weather swirling and the rain and the wind and everything, it basically feels like I just climbed a giant tower in the greater ranges," Honnold told reporters at a post-climb press conference. "It makes the whole experience of coming to Taipei and climbing feel like a grand adventure."
Honnold, 40, completed the ropeless ascent of the 508-meter skyscraper in approximately 1 hour and 31 minutes, reaching the lightning rod at the building's peak shortly before 10:45 a.m. local time. The climb had been scheduled for Saturday but was postponed due to rain, forcing the climber and his team to wait an additional day before attempting the feat.
Rather than viewing the delay as a setback, Honnold embraced it as part of the adventure. "That's just part of climbing, and that's totally fine with me," he said. The climber first saw Taipei 101 more than 10 years ago and immediately recognized its potential as a climbing objective. He revealed Sunday that he had considered climbing the building without permission at the time but ultimately decided against it.
Honnold acknowledged that the biggest challenge was not the physical climbing but managing his nerves amid the intense atmosphere. Thousands of spectators had gathered on the streets surrounding the building by early morning, and the climber said the pressure of performing before such a large audience initially weighed on him.
"I think for me personally, the biggest challenge was staying calm," Honnold said. "Having the crowd, having the whole experience, having all the people around, it just makes it feel a little more intense. I think starting felt, you know, I was a little more nervous getting off the ground."
As he ascended, however, the anxiety gave way to exhilaration. Honnold found himself waving to office workers through the glass and giving interviews during rest breaks at the building's distinctive bamboo-joint sections. "And then as I climbed, I relaxed more and more," he said. "I was like, 'Oh, this is so fun.' I mean, this is why I do it. It was incredible."
The supportive energy from the crowd, he said, ultimately enhanced rather than hindered his performance. "They're all wishing me well," Honnold said. "Basically it just makes the whole experience feel almost more festive. All these nice people are supporting me and having a good time. It's a beautiful city. It's a beautiful day. Everyone's enjoying this experience. And so in some ways, I think the energy actually kind of bolstered me as well."
The clear weather on Sunday provided spectacular views that had been absent during the team's week of preparation in Taipei. Standing atop the lightning rod, Honnold took a selfie and reported via microphone that it was very windy.
"We've been here all week, and it's been gray and rainy, kind of socked in, and today was just so perfect," Honnold said. "You could see for miles, super clear. I was like, couldn't be a better time to be on top of this spire, appreciating the position."
Sanni Honnold, Alex's wife, watched the climb from inside the building near the 60th floor and greeted him on a platform after his rope-assisted descent. She told reporters she felt relieved the moment her husband left the ground.
"I knew the second he left the ground, it would all just kind of not fade away, but get quieter, kind of be a little bit more of an internal experience, and then just be joyful," she said. "I was really happy when it just started. There wasn't any waiting, and he got to do what he wanted to do."
Emily Harrington, a champion climber and close friend of Honnold who attended the event, said the climbing community views the achievement as legitimate and technically demanding rather than a publicity stunt. "People in the know kind of understand that Taipei 101 was not like a stunt — it's real climbing," Harrington said. "It took a lot of preparation. It took a lot of skill, a lot of experience. And really, there's only one person who's capable of doing something like this, and it is Alex."
Harrington, visibly emotional during the press conference, said she felt proud to represent the climbing community's admiration for Honnold. "I'm just really excited and relieved and proud to be a part of it," she said. "I feel so lucky to know both of you guys, because you're special, you're lovely people."
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) congratulated Honnold on social media shortly after the climb concluded, thanking everyone involved and saying the event allowed the world to see "not only 101, but also the spirit & beauty of Taiwan."
When asked what motivates him to continue pursuing such objectives after achieving global fame, Honnold said the answer remains simple. "I like objectives that are new for me, that are different, that are challenging in some way," he said. "Really, I like a reason to stay motivated and to get up early and to train and to do something exciting."
The climb was documented by Netflix as part of a production by Plimsoll Productions. Executive producer James Smith said the project came together after Taipei 101 management, represented by Taipei 101 Chairwoman Janet Chia (賈永婕), granted permission approximately one year ago.
"About halfway through my presentation, Janet just said, 'Stop, stop, stop, stop. We're going to do this,'" Smith recalled. "I think she'd seen 'Free Solo.' She kind of trusted Alex primarily." Honnold described the Taipei 101 project as surprisingly family-friendly compared to remote expeditions that keep him away from his two children for extended periods.
"Here we FaceTime the kids. We fly home tomorrow," Honnold said. "It's pretty chill in the grand scheme of climbing objectives. Compared to going to the greater ranges, the far-flung mountains of the world, and living on a glacier in a tent for a month — this is pretty civilized."
Asked what he planned to do next, Honnold offered a characteristically understated response. "Honestly, I probably will actually do some kind of training either tonight or tomorrow morning, because we're gonna fly home, and that's like a bunch of time resting on the plane," he said. "And when I get home, I've got a climb that I'd really like to do, and so gotta be fit." ◼
