Alex Honnold, the renowned free solo climber, is set to scale Taipei 101 without ropes, live on television. This daring feat, broadcast by Netflix, has sparked both excitement and ethical debates. The 1,667-foot skyscraper, an iconic landmark in Taiwan's capital, has long captivated Honnold's imagination. Despite concerns about the risks and his role as a married father, Honnold remains committed to pushing the boundaries of climbing.
Honnold's legendary free solo ascent of Yosemite National Park's El Capitan, documented in the film 'Free Solo', has inspired him to seek new challenges globally. He describes climbing objectives as seeking "singular" experiences, like El Capitan, which stands tall and proud above its surroundings. Taipei 101, with its 101 floors and challenging "bamboo boxes" in the middle section, presents a new and exciting challenge.
While Alain Robert, a French rock climber, scaled Taipei 101 in 2004, Honnold will be the first to do so without ropes. He has been training extensively and believes the climb won't be as extreme as others, thanks to his practice and insights gained from Robert's guidance. The event, titled 'Skyscraper Live', will be broadcast with a 10-second delay, starting Friday evening for U.S. viewers.
The production team, including Plimsoll Productions and Secret Compass, has prioritized safety. They will communicate with Honnold throughout the climb, utilizing cameramen inside the building, hatches for bail points, and high-angle camera operators on ropes. Professional weather forecasters will provide updates, and Honnold will only climb if conditions are favorable.
In Taiwan, local climber Chin Tzu-hsiang shares the dream of scaling Taipei 101, and Honnold's climb has excited even novice climbers. However, ethical concerns arise regarding the influence Honnold's live broadcast might have on impressionable youth, a debate that has accompanied daredevil stunts since Evel Knievel's era. Many climbers have died from free soloing, and a trend of "roof-topping" has also led to fatalities.
Jeff Smoot, author of 'All and Nothing: Inside Free Soloing', acknowledges the risks but emphasizes that embracing risk is integral to climbing culture. He questions the necessity of the live broadcast, wondering if it's ethical to proceed. The production team has yet to respond to interview requests, and Taipei 101 officials declined to comment.
Despite the controversies, the event promises to be a groundbreaking moment in extreme sports, blending the thrill of free soloing with the spectacle of live television.
