Chong kok-yew/Netflix © 2026

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New Heights

Jim McMahon/Mapman®

Taipei 101 is one of the world’s tallest buildings. Located in the capital of Taiwan, the skyscraper stands 1,667 feet tall. In January, climber Alex Honnold scaled the building in less than 92 minutes. He used only his hands and feet—no safety ropes, nets, or harnesses! 

With that climb, Honnold set the record for the highest free solo up a building. That’s a climb without a partner or protective equipment. 

Nineteen cameras, two drones, and a helicopter followed his every move. The historic climb was streamed live on Netflix to viewers worldwide. 

“The biggest challenge was staying calm,” Honnold said in a news conference afterward. 

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Taipei 101

Making It to the Top

Chong kok-yew/Netflix © 2026

Alex Honnold

Honnold is no stranger to daring climbs. In 2017, he became the first person to free solo El Capitan. The famous 3,000-foot rock wall is located in California’s Yosemite National Park. It took him just under four hours. 

But a skyscraper presents different challenges than a jagged rock wall. Taipei 101 is made of concrete, glass, and steel. So it can be very slippery. 

To prepare, Honnold trained intensely for months, including doing exercises to strengthen his fingertips. He wants to show others that their goals are within reach. 

“If you work really hard at it, you can do hard things,” he said. 

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