At a Glance
- Alex Honnold will free-solo Taiwan’s 101-story Taipei 101 on Netflix’s Skyscraper Live, Jan. 23 at 5 p.m. ET
- The climb will be done without ropes or safety nets in front of a global audience
- Honnold calls the ascent his “lifelong dream” after first seeing the skyscraper a decade ago
- Why it matters: Viewers will watch real-time footage as one of the world’s most famous climbers risks a fatal fall for science and sport
Alex Honnold, the free-solo legend who scaled Yosemite’s El Capitan without gear, is set to climb one of the world’s tallest buildings live on Netflix. The special, Skyscraper Live, will stream his rope-free ascent of Taipei 101 on Friday, Jan. 23.
The Feat Explained
Honnold’s route up the 1,667-foot tower will be broadcast in real time. He will rely solely on climbing shoes and chalk, with no safety net or rope to arrest a fall. Netflix’s Tudum notes the circumstances are “spine-tingling.”
The athlete has spent 30 years on rock faces but says buildings present a new challenge. “Buildings are steeper than most rock faces,” he told Tudum. “This is going to be my first big handmade structure.”
Why Taipei 101
Honnold first saw the skyscraper “more than 10 years ago” and has hoped for the opportunity ever since. He told CNN the climb is his “lifelong dream.”
Taipei 101 ranks among the tallest buildings on Earth. Its glass and steel façade offer thin ledges and tight seams-minimal purchase for fingertips and toes.
Key facts about the tower:
- Height: 1,667 feet
- Stories: 101 above ground plus five below
- Location: Xinyi District, Taipei
- Completed: 2004
- Former title: World’s tallest building, 2004-2010
Training and Mind-set
The climber admits nerves are likely. “I’m sure I’ll feel a little nervous at the bottom,” he said. Still, his primary goal is simple: “Don’t fall off.”
Honnold told Tudum success is not just survival; he wants to enjoy the moment. “I want to smile and enjoy myself, I want to have a good experience.”
He shares two young daughters with wife Sanni McCandless. The family dynamic adds emotional weight, yet Honnold downplays outside pressure. “My life is on the line – I don’t really care who’s watching,” he said.
Broadcast Details
Skyscraper Live is produced by Plimsoll Productions Limited and directed by Joe DeMaio. Coverage starts at 5 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT and will be available only on Netflix.
The broadcast team includes:
- Elle Duncan – veteran sports anchor
- Pete Woods – climbing commentator
- Emily Harrington – professional climber
- Mark Rober – science expert
- Seth Rollins – WWE superstar
Viewers worldwide can stream the event simultaneously; there will be no delay for tape editing.
From El Capitan to City Skylines
Honnold’s 2017 free-solo of El Capitan, featured in the Oscar-winning documentary Free Solo, remains the benchmark for rope-less climbing. That 3,000-foot granite wall took him 3 hours 56 minutes.
Taipei 101 is different rock-glass, concrete, and steel. Temperature swings are smaller, but wind gusts between skyscraper sides can exceed 40 mph. The climb will test endurance, grip strength, and mental control at altitude.
Risk and Preparation
Free-soloing carries zero margin for error. A single slip is almost always fatal. Honnold rehearses routes repeatedly with ropes until every move is memorized. He has visited Taipei multiple times to rehearse on the lower floors.
Despite meticulous planning, uncertainty remains. “I don’t know how it’s going to feel,” he said. His strategy: focus on each handhold, breathe, and keep moving upward.
Global Audience
Netflix has not released projected viewership, but live spectacles like Red Notice and Circle have drawn millions. Social-media chatter suggests climbing fans and casual viewers alike will tune in.
The streamer bills the event as “history in the making.” If successful, Honnold will become the first person to free-solo a building of this height on live television.
Key Takeaways
- The climb is scheduled for Jan. 23 at 5 p.m. ET exclusively on Netflix
- No ropes, nets, or protective gear will be used
- Honnold has dreamed of scaling Taipei 101 for over a decade
- A global broadcast team will provide real-time analysis
- Success means reaching the summit; failure could be fatal
Millions will watch to see whether the planet’s most famous solo climber conquers a man-made giant-or gravity rewrites the story.
