American climber Alex Honnold has completed a rope free ascent of Taipei 101, in Taiwan, scaling one of the world’s tallest skyscrapers without a harness or safety equipment in a feat that stunned spectators and set a new benchmark in urban climbing.
Honnold reached the top of the 508 meter tower in one hour and 31 minutes, more than cutting in half the previous best time for the climb. His ascent of the 101 story building in Taiwan’s capital was broadcast live by Netflix, with a built in broadcast delay as a precaution.
The climb had been scheduled for Saturday but was postponed because of rain, according to organizers.
Taipei 101, named for its number of floors, is constructed from steel, glass, and concrete and designed to resemble a bamboo stalk, a symbol of strength and resilience in East Asian culture.
Honnold completed the climb without ropes or protective gear and briefly celebrated at the summit with a single word. “Sick,” he said.
Read Also: China War Games Around Taiwan Test Blockade Strategy
His time eclipsed the previous ascent by French climber Alain Robert, known as “Spiderman,” who climbed the tower in four hours using ropes and a harness when Taipei 101 was still the tallest building in the world.
The climb drew attention across Taiwan and online. As Honnold reached the 89th floor, spectators inside the building waved and cheered just inches away, separated only by the glass facade. Video shared by Honnold and Netflix on Instagram showed him continuing upward without hesitation.
Read Also: US Taiwan Trade Deal Moves Closer With Tariff Cuts
Taiwan Vice President Hsiao Bi khim praised the climber on social media, writing, “I admit I would probably feel sick too, barely able to watch.”
At the top, Honnold was met by his wife, who later said she had worried about wind conditions and heat during the ascent.
Honnold is widely known for pushing the limits of free solo climbing. He gained global recognition in 2017 after becoming the first person to climb El Capitan in Yosemite National Park without ropes, a 3,000 foot vertical granite face.
That ascent was documented in the film Free Solo, which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
Netflix has not said whether the Taipei 101 climb will be featured in a future project, but the broadcast marked one of the most high profile live streamed climbing events ever staged.