Rain Postpones Climber’s Rope-Free Skyscraper Ascent
An American climber has postponed his rope-free ascent of Taipei 101, one of the tallest buildings globally, by 24 hours due to inclement weather. Alex Honnold, known for his historic rope-free climb of El Capitan, announced the delay, highlighting the challenges posed by rain in Taipei.
Details of the Climb
Taipei 101, located in Taiwan’s capital, stands at 508 meters (1,667 feet) tall. The structure is notable for its design, which mimics the joints of a bamboo stick with its eight distinctive overhanging sections. Initially planned for Saturday, the climb has now been rescheduled for Sunday, as safety remains the top priority.
Netflix Coverage and Safety Measures
- Netflix will stream Honnold’s climb live.
- In case of emergencies, a 10-second delay will be implemented.
- Jeff Gaspin from Netflix mentioned the frequent discussions regarding safety protocols.
Honnold expressed disappointment about the weather conditions. He stated, “Sadly it’s raining in Taipei right now so I don’t get to go climbing.”
History of Taipei 101 Climbs
Although Taipei 101 has been climbed before, Honnold’s attempt will be unique as it is rope-free. In 2004, French climber Alain Robert, also known as “Spiderman,” successfully scaled the tower using a safety belt and a rope, completing the climb in four hours.
Stages of the Ascent
Honnold’s climb will involve three main stages:
- The initial ascent of 113 meters on a sloping steel and glass surface.
- Navigating the eight “bamboo” overhanging sections.
- Concluding with the climb up the tower’s spire.
At 40 years old, Honnold has stated that scaling a skyscraper has been a lifelong dream. His previous remarkable achievement at El Capitan was captured in the Academy Award-winning documentary, Free Solo. This ascent features a sheer granite rock face approximately 915 meters tall, attracting climbers from across the globe.
