Quick Summary: Alex Honnold and Taipei 101
Alex Honnold is a globally recognized rock climber famous for free solos, but he has also completed notable urban and big-wall climbs. In 2016, Honnold traveled to Taiwan and ascended Taipei 101, then the world’s tallest building, using a combination of running, climbing, and safety rigging. The Taipei 101 project was led by Honnold and climber Steph Davis, featured in the documentary film The Dawn Wall. The effort was not a speed record attempt but a pioneering urban rope climb that demonstrated large-building ascents were feasible with careful planning. Below is a detailed breakdown of the what, where, when, why, and how of Honnold’s Taipei 101 climb.
What Happened: The Taipei 101 Rope Ascent
On April 21, 2016, Alex Honnold and Steph Davis completed a rope-suspended ascent of Taipei 101, a 509-meter (1,670-foot), 101-story skyscraper in Taipei, Taiwan. Honnold used climbing rope, ascenders, and supplementary safety gear to climb the building’s architectural spire and decorative tip, stopping well below the broadcasting antenna. The climb was publicized as a pioneering large-building rope climb rather than a speed or summit record. It was documented in the film The Dawn Wall and supported by a small ground crew for safety and logistics. No major incident was reported, and the stunt was performed with permissions coordinated through event organizers and property management.
Background on Alex Honnold
Climbing Style and Risk Profile
Alex Honnold is primarily celebrated for free soloing, a style of rock climbing without ropes or protective gear. Throughout his career, he has prioritized low-fall-risk objectives and meticulous planning. Urban rope climbs such as Taipei 101 represent a different category: big-building ascents using ropes, often performed with partners for planning and safety. These projects extend Honnold’s repertoire into urban environments but do not reflect his best-known solo work.
Notable Career Milestones
- 2007: First free ascent of the Regular Northwest Face of Half Dome, Yosemite, with Hans Florine (about 2:23 hours).
- 2008: Free ascent of the Salathé Wall, El Capitan, Yosemite, with Florine.
- 2014: Free solo of the Torre Egger Fitz Roy Traverse in Patagonia; completed the Dawn Wall (El Capitan, 2014, with Tommy Caldwell).
- 2016: Taipei 101 rope ascent with Steph Davis (documented in The Dawn Wall).
- Ongoing: Public speaking, film projects, and advocacy related to climbing culture.
Why Taipei 101 Mattered in Climbing History
Taipei 101 stood as the world’s tallest building from 2004 to 2010 and remains an iconic architectural landmark. By choosing Taipei 101, Honnold and Davis demonstrated that technical rope skills could be applied to urban structures, highlighting new possibilities for big-building ascents. The climb was conceived as a performance-oriented project rather than a speed record, emphasizing route planning, psychological challenge, and visual storytelling. Its visibility in The Dawn Wall introduced rope climbing to broader audiences who might otherwise only know Honnold’s free solos.
Key Details at a Glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Date of Taipei 101 climb | April 21, 2016 | Reported by climbing media and event announcements |
| Building height | 509 meters (1,670 feet) to roof | Official architectural data |
| Floors | 101 stories | Building records |
| Team | Alex Honnold and Steph Davis | Project press materials and film credits |
| Style | Rope-suspended ascent of the spire/roof area | On-site accounts and film documentation |
| Documentary | The Dawn Wall (2017) | Film credits and festival listings |
| Record status | Not a speed or altitude record attempt | Project statements and interviews |
Comparing Honnold’s Major Climbing Types
Understanding the range of Honnold’s endeavors helps clarify how a building climb fits into his overall career.
| Type | Typical Risk Level | Examples | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Solo | Very high consequence; no rope | Freerider (El Cap), Mooncake (Bishop), Fitz Roy Traverse | Personal challenge and minimalist climbing |
| Big-Rope Urban Climb | Moderate; managed with rope and protocols | Taipei 101 (2016), The Dawn Wall (El Cap) | Large-building ascent and storytelling |
| Traditional & Sport Climbing | Low to moderate with protection | Regular Northwest Half Dome, Salathé Wall | Technical progress and endurance |
Planning and Logistics Behind the Climb
The Taipei 101 project involved months of coordination with building management, local authorities, and safety experts. Honnold and Davis used a combination of running, hiking, and technical climbing to reach and ascend the structure. Ropes were anchored to secure anchor points on the spire, and a small team managed communication, medical readiness, and legal compliance. The climb was not open to the public during execution but was filmed for The Dawn Wall, which released in 2017. Organizers emphasized that the stunt was planned for safety and environmental responsibility, with minimal impact on the building and surrounding area.
Common Questions and Misconceptions
- Was it a speed climb? No; the goal was to demonstrate a technical rope ascent, not to set a building speed record.
- Did Honnold climb alone? No; Steph Davis was the core partner, with additional support crew on the ground for safety and filming.
- Was the building damaged? No; the team used non-invasive methods and cleaned up after the descent.
- Has anything changed since 2016? The route remains accessible via bolt-protected walkways and service entries; no comparable large-building rope climbs have been repeated at the same scale.
Location and Context: Why Taiwan?
Taiwan was selected partly for logistical convenience and partly for the opportunity to work with a progressive property team open to performance projects. Taipei 101’s prominence as a landmark made it an ideal stage for a project that combined climbing, storytelling, and cultural exchange. Honnold has previously traveled internationally for expeditions, and this climb reflected his interest in engaging with new audiences while respecting local regulations and community expectations.
The Aftermath and Legacy
After the Taipei 101 ascent, Honnold continued to prioritize free soloing and big-wall projects, while also participating in more media and outreach initiatives. The climb reinforced the idea that technical rope skills could apply to unconventional environments, pushing the conversation around climbing disciplines into urban settings. Although no subsequent large-building rope climbs of similar profile have occurred, the project remains a reference point for discussions about risk management, creativity in climbing, and the evolving boundaries of the sport.