Honnold Faces Taipei 101: Free Climb Delayed!

Renowned rock climber Alex Honnold is preparing to free climb the 1,667-foot Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taiwan's capital. This daring feat, which involves ascending without safety ropes, was originally scheduled for Friday night but experienced a 24-hour delay due to weather. The climb commenced shortly after 8 p.m. ET on Saturday. Honnold, a California native with extensive climbing experience since age 11, acknowledges the unique challenges presented by the urban structure. He notes that Taipei 101 offers a monotonous route compared to natural climbing environments, with obstructive balconies every eight stories posing additional difficulties. He anticipates fatigue will be a significant factor during the climb. Honnold, known for his 2017 solo free climb of El Capitan, approaches the task with calm focus, taking deep breaths to compose himself. He stated there is no time pressure, allowing him to manage his state and execute the plan.