American Rock Climber Alex Honnold Reaches Top of Taipei 101 Skyscraper Without Ropes

Rock climber Alex Honnold of the United States performs a free solo climb of the Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taipei, Taiwan, on Jan. 25. 2026. Chiang Ying-ying/AP Photo

TAIPEI, Taiwan—American rock climber Alex Honnold ascended the Taipei 101 skyscraper on Sunday without any ropes or protective equipment.

Cheers erupted from a street-level crowd as he reached the top of the spire of the 508-meter (1,667-foot) tower about 90 minutes after he started. Wearing a red short-sleeve shirt, Honnold waved his arms back and forth over his head.