Alex Honnold, the world-renowned climber who gained global fame for his rope-free ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite, is taking on a new and controversial challenge: free soloing Taipei 101 in Taiwan. This event, titled Skyscraper Live, was organized for a live global broadcast on Netflix. Originally scheduled for a Friday, the climb faced an immediate hurdle when wet weather conditions in Taipei forced a 24-hour postponement. Netflix and the production team cited safety as their top priority, as rain makes the glass and metal surfaces of the skyscraper dangerously slick for a climber relying solely on his hands and feet.

Taipei 101 is a massive architectural landmark, standing 1,667 feet tall. Its design is inspired by jointed bamboo and traditional pagodas, consisting of eight modules that each span eight floors. For Honnold, these architectural features provide a unique rhythm to the climb. He has noted that the building feels like a series of climbing pitches, with a balcony available every eight floors. Interestingly, Honnold has pointed out that this geometry makes the skyscraper potentially safer than many natural rock faces; if he were to slip, the presence of these balconies means a fall might not be fatal in many sections of the ascent.

The climb is a significant departure from Honnold's typical mountain objectives. While natural rocks are rarely perfectly vertical, a skyscraper like Taipei 101 is consistently steep. Honnold has spent months preparing for the physical demands of the structure, likening his training to that of a prizefighter. He noted that the metal trim of the building is actually well-suited for a human hand, though the repetitive nature of the movements creates a different kind of fatigue than the varied holds found on a cliff.

A major talking point of the event is the financial aspect. Honnold has admitted he is being paid an embarrassing amount of money for the spectacle. While he did not reveal the exact figure, reports suggest it is in the mid-six figures. He remarked that compared to mainstream athletes in sports like baseball, the amount is actually quite small, but for the climbing world, it is substantial. He has maintained that he would have climbed the building for free if given legal permission, but since it is being turned into a television event, he is being compensated for the spectacle rather than the climb itself.

The project has sparked intense debate within the climbing community. Some critics argue that the event is a dystopian spectacle that prioritizes sensationalism over the ethics of the sport. The live nature of the broadcast is particularly controversial, as Netflix has confirmed a ten-second delay to allow them to cut away if a tragedy occurs. Some feel that Honnold, now a father of two, is taking unnecessary risks for a commercial payday. Others defend him, noting his long-standing desire to climb the building since 2013 and his history of donating a significant portion of his income to environmental charities through his foundation. For Honnold, the challenge is about curiosity and the chance to execute a plan on a world-class handmade structure.

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