In a highly anticipated feat, renowned American climber Alex Honnold has been forced to delay his rope-free ascent of the Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taiwan’s capital due to inclement weather. Honnold, who made history in 2017 by becoming the first person to scale the formidable El Capitan in Yosemite National Park without the use of ropes, had planned to take on the 508-metre (1,667-foot) Taipei 101 in a similar daring fashion.
However, the climber announced on Saturday that he would have to postpone the challenge for 24 hours, stating: “Sadly it’s raining in Taipei right now so I don’t get to go climbing.” The Taipei 101 building, known for its distinctive steel, glass, and concrete structure designed to resemble the joints of a bamboo plant, had been eagerly awaiting Honnold’s arrival.
Netflix, which was set to stream the event live, has confirmed that there will be a delay in the broadcast should the worst happen. Jeff Gaspin, a Netflix executive, told Variety magazine: “It’s obviously a conversation that everybody has. We’ll cut away. We have a 10-second delay. Nobody expects or wants to see anything like that to happen.” The climb is now scheduled to take place on Sunday, with the streaming service emphasising that “safety remains our top priority.”
This is not the first time the Taipei 101 has been conquered. In 2004, French climber Alain Robert, known as the “French Spiderman,” scaled the building using a safety belt and rope, completing the feat in just four hours. Honnold’s attempt, however, would be a true test of his nerve and skill, as he plans to ascend the tower in three stages without any safety equipment.
The first stage involves a 113-metre (370-foot) section of sloping steel and glass, followed by the eight “bamboo” boxes that make up the majority of the building’s height. The final stage will see Honnold scaling the spire at the very top of the tower.
Honnold, who is 40 years old and married with two children, has described the Taipei 101 climb as a “lifelong dream.” His historic 2017 ascent of El Capitan without ropes was documented in the award-winning film “Free Solo,” which showcased his exceptional climbing abilities and unwavering determination.
As the world waits with bated breath for Honnold’s rescheduled attempt, the safety concerns surrounding such a daring feat remain at the forefront of everyone’s minds. Nevertheless, the climber’s fearless spirit and pursuit of the extraordinary continue to captivate audiences worldwide.
