TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — US free solo climber Alex Honnold said the unique design of Taipei 101 makes it a relatively safe and compelling skyscraper to climb, as he prepares to free solo the tower in a live Netflix broadcast later this week.
Asked what inspired him to climb Taipei 101 in an interview with CNN that aired Saturday, he said he had explored the idea of climbing a skyscraper as part of a TV program that failed to come to fruition, “so it’s kind of been simmering on the back burner.” A production company he had worked with on other projects ultimately pitched the concept to Netflix, which decided to do a live broadcast of the climb.
Honnold said the shape of the building makes it safer to climb because there are balconies every eight floors. “You could actually fall in tons of places and not actually die, which makes it safer than a lot of rock climbing objectives,” he said.
Asked if there are any safety nets, he said no, but he considers his 30 years of climbing to be a safety net. In terms of training, he said his approach is similar to a prizefighter who boosts a regular regimen into about two and a half months of intensive preparation for the event.
When scouting buildings around the world a decade ago, he said as soon as he touched Taipei 101, he felt it was the perfect match because “It hits all the sweet spots.” He listed its ideal climbing characteristics as being striking, impressive, inspiring, and climbable.
Honnold said the style of climbing required for Taipei 101 is well-suited for a TV broadcast because “It feels secure, it feels safe.” He noted that the metal trim on the exterior is “perfectly suited for a human hand.”
He said Taipei 101 is more varied than other buildings, requiring different moves. “So from a climbing perspective, it’s interesting and fun,” he said. He added that it is challenging, beautiful, and aesthetic — “it’s everything, it’s perfect.”
Honnold said he has not climbed tall buildings before because it has been difficult to obtain legal permission. He said buildings are generally less varied than rock faces, leading to more repetitive movements and a different kind of fatigue.
He said he has scouted the building and rehearsed parts of the climb, and found he could make adjustments to improve economy of motion and make the ascent smoother.
As for the weather, he said he is not concerned about wind but is concerned about rain. However, he said he will be starting from a spot that faces the sun and any water on the structure will quickly dry.
Honnold said that though the event may seem risky, he does not think it is much different from what he does in his day-to-day life as a professional rock climber. He said watching from a live TV perspective is not much different from dangerous sports such as American football and mixed martial arts.
Although the consequences are higher, the likelihood of an injury is “close to zero, basically zero,” he said, adding that the risk of injury is much higher in contact sports.
He said there are many risks in life that could arguably be more dangerous, such as driving after a night of drinking, that people are not consciously choosing. With outdoor activities such as free solo climbing, he said, “you’re choosing the risks that you are taking because they add value to your life.”
Honnold plans to ascend all 101 floors of the tower without any ropes in a live Netflix broadcast titled “Skyscraper Live” at 9 a.m. on Jan. 24.
