Poor weather conditions in Taipei forced American climber Alex Honnold to postpone a planned free solo ascent of Taipei 101, Taiwan’s tallest building and one of the world’s most recognizable skyscrapers. Organizers said the climb, originally scheduled for Saturday, will now take place on Sunday morning, weather permitting.
Honnold, best known for his ropeless climbs of towering rock faces, was set to scale the exterior of the 508-metre building without ropes or a harness. The attempt is being organised for a live broadcast by Netflix, which said safety concerns led to the decision to delay the event.
Early on Saturday, the upper levels of Taipei 101 were obscured by low cloud, while intermittent rain showers moved across the city. Organisers said conditions at that height made it unsafe to proceed, stressing that safety remained the top priority.
Taipei 101 dominates the capital’s skyline and is a major tourist landmark. Completed in 2004, it held the title of the world’s tallest building until 2010, before being surpassed by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Its height and exposed exterior make it an especially demanding challenge for any climber, particularly without protective equipment.
The building has been climbed before, though under different conditions. In 2004, French climber Alain Robert, widely known as “Spiderman,” scaled Taipei 101 using a safety rope, completing the ascent in about four hours. Honnold’s planned climb, however, would be carried out entirely free solo, a style that allows no margin for error.
Honnold rose to global prominence after the documentary “Free Solo” chronicled his rope-free ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. His climbs are closely followed by both climbing enthusiasts and a broader audience drawn to the extreme physical and mental demands of the discipline.
Organisers said further updates would be provided ahead of the rescheduled attempt. Weather conditions in Taipei are expected to improve, but officials said the climb will only go ahead if visibility and safety standards are met.
