RRP LIVE: Alex Honnold On Climbing the Taipei 101 Skyscraper

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

• Alex Honnold found that the Taipei 101 climb, despite external pressures and logistical challenges like rain and building grime, ultimately became an enjoyable experience by embracing the audience and pacing himself slowly during stable resting positions.  Copied to clipboard!
• The physical demands of the skyscraper climb were unique, relying on repetitive, full-body fitness (like high-stepping with one foot) which led to lower back fatigue, contrasting with the distributed muscle use of traditional rock climbing.  Copied to clipboard!
• The perceived danger of the building's features, like bending ledges and slick dragons, felt less terrifying to Honnold than natural rock holds because the metal structures were expected to deform rather than snap unexpectedly.  Copied to clipboard!
• Alex Honnold views his free solo climbing projects as being well within his comfort zone, making them more psychological than purely physical feats, which lessens the impact of age-related physical decline.  Copied to clipboard!
• The experience of climbing Taipei 101 was surprisingly emotional and special due to sharing the moment with a live audience in Taipei, highlighting the cultural significance of the building to the city.  Copied to clipboard!
• Mindful awareness of one's own mortality, which is inherent in high-consequence activities like free soloing, is a powerful tool for gaining perspective, prioritizing values, and living in alignment with what truly matters.  Copied to clipboard!

Segments Expand All Collapse All

Post-Climb Public Reaction

Copied to clipboard!

(00:04:20)

• Key Takeaway: Alex Honnold was insulated from the massive global reaction to the Taipei 101 climb because he immediately returned to caring for his young daughters.
• Summary: The climb generated an unbelievable water cooler moment globally, uniting people with inspiration about human possibility. Honnold missed the immediate aftermath, flying home to deal with his two young, non-sleeping daughters. He prioritized returning to normal family life over engaging with the event’s spectacle.

Pre-Climb Conditions and Stressors

Copied to clipboard!

(00:05:37)

• Key Takeaway: Unexpected conditions, including soot from fireworks making the building dirty and a week of rain, increased the stress leading up to the climb.
• Summary: Honnold initially underestimated the difficulty but found the building significantly dirtier than during scouting, coated in soot resembling bicycle grease. The rain further complicated matters, causing momentary stress about the conditions lining up. The rigging crew helped clean parts of the route, and the weather eventually improved, allowing for a comfortable climb.

On-Climb Demeanor and Pacing

Copied to clipboard!

(00:09:02)

• Key Takeaway: Honnold intentionally adopted a slow, enjoyable pace, interacting with onlookers, which paradoxically made the climb easier by preventing exhaustion.
• Summary: The audience experienced the climb as intensely stressful, but Honnold maintained a jovial, controlled demeanor, waving at people in the windows. The building’s structure allowed for stable resting positions between hard moves, enabling him to enjoy the experience. Going slowly was a strategic choice that conserved energy and enhanced enjoyment.

Training and Physical Toll

Copied to clipboard!

(00:12:56)

• Key Takeaway: Honnold trained specifically for the building’s physical demands by focusing on muscular, overhanging climbing, but the repetitive nature caused lower back fatigue.
• Summary: Honnold felt stronger than usual due to months of training, including climbing a very physical, overhanging wall. He consistently led with his left foot, using the same right/left foot sequence hundreds of times, which resulted in lower back soreness post-climb. This repetitive load is a different type of fatigue compared to the varied demands of traditional rock climbing.

Building Material Stability vs. Rock

Copied to clipboard!

(00:16:06)

• Key Takeaway: The flexing and giving nature of the building’s metal ledges felt less inherently dangerous than natural rock holds because the metal was expected to bend rather than suddenly snap.
• Summary: Many structural elements, including the large metal dragons, moved or flexed when loaded, which Honnold found reassuring. In contrast, rock climbing holds can break without warning, which is a primary danger in free-soloing. The dragons themselves felt indestructible, though pulling straight out on them initially caused momentary doubt about their attachment points.

Managing Live Event Logistics Stress

Copied to clipboard!

(00:20:35)

• Key Takeaway: Honnold was insulated from the production stress by his management team, but the technical demands and external deadlines, like the upcoming Grammys, added unique pressure.
• Summary: Seeing the large production crew working below created stress about needing to succeed for everyone involved. The live broadcast added technical complexity, including fiber optic runs and equipment deadlines for other events. Production successfully shielded him from most of this stress, even providing a ping pong table in his hotel room for relaxation.

Contingency Planning and Morning Routine

Copied to clipboard!

(00:23:12)

• Key Takeaway: The worst-case scenario was a ‘muddled decision’ about climbing in marginal, gray, rainy weather, but the actual day provided perfect conditions, rendering contingency plans unnecessary.
• Summary: Honnold worried about having to make a difficult call on whether to proceed in uncertain weather, potentially losing the live broadcast opportunity. On the morning of the climb, he followed a routine of light stretching and warming up his fingers using a small edge to ensure confidence for the initial moves off the ground. The hardest physical parts were the eight overhanging bamboo box segments.

Wind Effects and Top Ledge Experience

Copied to clipboard!

(00:25:24)

• Key Takeaway: The southeast corner Honnold climbed experienced intense, gusty wind, especially higher up where there was less building structure for shelter, causing him to sway.
• Summary: The wind was strong and gusty, particularly when traversing around the dragons on the upper tower sections. Honnold spent a long time on the top ledge, which viewers found scary, but he considered it relatively chill compared to the actual climb. He noted that the public often relates more to the fear of standing on a ledge than the act of climbing the facade.

Public Misconceptions and Joy

Copied to clipboard!

(00:27:37)

• Key Takeaway: Honnold hoped the broadcast would counter online criticism by showing the pure, childlike joy of climbing something cool that is normally inaccessible.
• Summary: He anticipated that viewers would understand the fun aspect once they saw him enjoying the beautiful building, making them think, ‘I would do that if I could because it’s fun.’ The experience was so joyous for him that it made viewers uncomfortable, prompting them to examine their own relationships with fear and discomfort.

Adam Skolnick’s On-Site Perspective

Copied to clipboard!

(00:34:00)

• Key Takeaway: Adam Skolnick experienced intense anxiety watching the climb from the ground, but his anxiety subsided after he bought a ticket and watched from the 89th-floor observation deck.
• Summary: Skolnick attended the event on spec after writing the New York Times piece and was advised by Honnold to simply buy a ticket to access the observation deck. The crowd’s reaction on the street was visceral, involving gasps and cringing as Honnold passed the flagpoles. A short video Skolnick filmed of Honnold waving went viral, gaining 38 million views.

Honnold’s Community Leadership

Copied to clipboard!

(00:42:49)

• Key Takeaway: Honnold actively supports his climbing community by hosting friends who are ‘dirtbagging’ in their vans, reflecting his past experience living out of his own vehicle.
• Summary: Sonny confirmed that many climbers live in cars at their home, a tradition stemming from Honnold’s own past reliance on friends’ resources. He views this as paying forward the support he received while living in his van for years. He considers many of his long-time climbing friends to be older, mid-40s individuals still living the transient climbing lifestyle.

Future Climbing Focus

Copied to clipboard!

(00:47:45)

• Key Takeaway: Honnold is considering focusing on ‘safe climbing’ like bouldering and sport climbing in 2026, but admits he often gets pulled back into adventure projects.
• Summary: Before the skyscraper event, Honnold completed a significant, low-key solo project in December involving four ascents of a large mountain for 12 hours of exercise. He acknowledged that El Capitan is significantly harder and taller than the Taipei 101 climb, despite the latter capturing worldwide attention. His priority remains being the best climber possible, balancing this with cool opportunities presented by his team.

Balancing Climbing Priorities

Copied to clipboard!

(00:54:00)

• Key Takeaway: Alex Honnold prioritizes being the best climber possible, layering other opportunities around that core focus.
• Summary: Scheduling dictates commitment; if an activity is on the calendar, it is done. The primary commitment remains maximizing climbing ability. Other opportunities are integrated only if they do not compromise climbing performance.

Musician Reactions to Playlist

Copied to clipboard!

(00:54:31)

• Key Takeaway: Members of The Used and Tool commented on Alex Honnold’s climbing playlist, which was curated during a long drive.
• Summary: Musicians whose work Honnold has loved for decades reached out after seeing his playlist. He expressed excitement over comments from members of Tool, including Maynard. The playlist reflected his immediate listening preferences during an eight-hour drive across Nevada.

Impact of Climb on Children

Copied to clipboard!

(00:56:45)

• Key Takeaway: Honnold hopes children watching the Taipei 101 climb learn that impossible-seeming feats are achievable through dedicated effort and preparation.
• Summary: Honnold’s young children (turning two and four) were uninterested in watching the climb. The intended takeaway for older children is that effort makes hard things possible, regardless of what society deems ’normal’ or possible.

Imitation Risk Assessment

Copied to clipboard!

(00:58:25)

• Key Takeaway: Free solo climbing is self-selecting because the physical and psychological difficulty prevents most people from getting high enough to face fatal consequences.
• Summary: Honnold is not concerned about inspiring untrained people to free solo, as the initial moves are often too difficult for non-elite climbers. The average person would likely stop after realizing the fear eight feet off the ground. Intentionality and preparation are required to progress beyond low heights.

Sonny’s Experience in Taipei

Copied to clipboard!

(00:59:39)

• Key Takeaway: Sonny experienced significant stress leading up to the Taipei 101 climb due to poor conditions and the public nature of the event, despite Alex’s confidence.
• Summary: This was the first large-scale free solo event Sonny witnessed in person, which proved more stressful than expected. Seeing Alex smile early on provided reassurance, but her brain remained focused on protective worry. The aftermath involved a surprising emotional comedown after sharing the special experience with the audience.

Production Team Insights

Copied to clipboard!

(01:04:04)

• Key Takeaway: The Plimsoul production team experienced an unusual level of stress focused on Alex Honnold’s safety rather than just technical production quality.
• Summary: Grant from Plimsoul noted that the crew was more worried about Alex than about capturing perfect shots during the live broadcast. The director instructed the crew not to react when Alex reached the top, though the relief was palpable. Honnold values the production team, many of whom are long-time friends from previous expeditions.

Parenthood and Risk Tolerance

Copied to clipboard!

(01:08:18)

• Key Takeaway: Fatherhood has generally lowered Alex Honnold’s overall risk profile by increasing time spent at home, though his capacity for controlled risk remains largely unchanged so far.
• Summary: Honnold spends significantly more time training at home now than when he was constantly on expeditions. He has completed several big solo projects since having children, indicating his appetite for controlled risk hasn’t vanished. He anticipates his appetite for risk might slowly diminish over time.

Peak Physical Condition Window

Copied to clipboard!

(01:09:31)

• Key Takeaway: Because free soloing must occur well within one’s comfort zone, the slow, skill-based decline of climbing performance with age is less critical for these specific projects.
• Summary: Turning 40, Honnold acknowledges being past the typical physical peak age of 23, but climbing’s skill-based nature allows for a longer elite career. Since free soloing requires staying within a comfort zone, diminished top-end power is less relevant. He questions if he is running out of meaningful, inspiring projects near home.

Mental Health and Stressors

Copied to clipboard!

(01:12:01)

• Key Takeaway: Alex Honnold’s primary stressors relate to performance anxiety, such as feeling like he is ‘sucking at climbing’ or wasting effort on a pursuit that is no longer working.
• Summary: Honnold jokes that others are stressed, not him, but admits to stress when both children are screaming or during travel. His biggest stressor is when training efforts do not yield expected results, leading to worry about being on the wrong path or deep into physical decline.

Building vs. Nature Climbing

Copied to clipboard!

(01:14:47)

• Key Takeaway: The athletic experience of climbing a man-made building is comparable to climbing certain types of rock, though Honnold prefers real rock for life.
• Summary: The difference between climbing a building and rock is less significant than the difference between trail running and road running. Climbing gyms and certain natural rock types (like slick slate) share characteristics with building surfaces. Honnold seeks out novel climbing experiences globally, making the Taipei 101 climb an interesting addition.

Taipei 101 Attractiveness

Copied to clipboard!

(01:16:43)

• Key Takeaway: Taipei 101 was attractive due to its singular dominance in the cityscape and its interesting architectural features that provided engaging climbing holds.
• Summary: The building was striking because it dwarfed the surrounding landscape, similar to a prominent mountain. It was physically possible to climb, unlike sheer glass structures. The ornamental features, like climbing over dragons and unique roofs, made it architecturally interesting.

Longevity and Adventure

Copied to clipboard!

(01:18:36)

• Key Takeaway: Honnold is interested in longevity and health to enjoy future family life, but acknowledges that life will feel short regardless of efforts to extend it.
• Summary: He has a greater than average interest in health and aims to live as long as possible for his children and future family. He believes one should do what they can along the way because the end will feel short regardless. He jokingly suggested going straight to the cliff edge as a shortcut to confronting mortality.

Role of Playfulness in Projects

Copied to clipboard!

(01:19:53)

• Key Takeaway: Playfulness is central to the daily practice and training leading up to a major project, even if the project selection itself is controlled by external factors.
• Summary: Project selection for events like the skyscraper climb depends on many uncontrollable factors like production approval. The months of preparation, involving daily climbing sessions, are the truly fun and playful part of the experience. These fun, consistent days of practice enable the meaningful, pinnacle experience of the actual climb.

Pre-Climb Sleep and Mindset

Copied to clipboard!

(01:21:28)

• Key Takeaway: By the time the Taipei 101 climb day arrived, Honnold was psyched for ‘game time,’ contrasting with the secret hope for bad weather often felt before extreme alpine climbs.
• Summary: Honnold slept well the night before the climb, despite jet lag, because the previous day’s delay and bad forecast made him believe the climb wouldn’t happen. This contrasts with alpine climbing where climbers sometimes secretly hope for storms to avoid a scary objective. For the building, the perfect weather signaled readiness.

Inspirational Feats and Figures

Copied to clipboard!

(01:23:17)

• Key Takeaway: Philippe Petit’s high-wire walk between the Twin Towers was particularly inspiring to Honnold before his El Capitan free solo, showcasing quixotic pursuit.
• Summary: Honnold cited seeing a young climber at a local cave as the most impressive recent feat he witnessed. He was deeply struck by the documentary Man on Wire and Philippe Petit’s pursuit of the impossible walk. He also recounted witnessing Mark Andre Leclerc soloing a spire in Patagonia while he and his partner endured a disastrous retreat.

Greatest Living Athlete Debate

Copied to clipboard!

(01:26:43)

• Key Takeaway: Honnold rejects the title of ‘World’s Greatest Living Athlete’ based on measurable fitness metrics, arguing that mainstream sports like boxing or ski racing involve comparable, if differently categorized, risks.
• Summary: By basic measures of fitness like VO2 max or running splits, he would not qualify as the greatest athlete. He points out that mainstream sports like downhill ski racing and boxing involve significant, often fatal, risks that are normalized because they are popular. He believes people should critically evaluate which activities are arbitrarily labeled ‘dangerous’ versus ’normal’.

Mortality and Living by Values

Copied to clipboard!

(01:29:53)

• Key Takeaway: Being mindful of one’s mortality helps put anxieties into perspective and forces an evaluation of whether one is living in alignment with core values.
• Summary: Confronting mortality helps diminish the importance of ’little stuff’ and anxieties. Honnold suggests that people can achieve the perspective gained from cancer scares by engaging with high-consequence activities. This self-evaluation prompts questions about how time is spent and if one is living according to their most important values.

Downtime Hobbies

Copied to clipboard!

(01:31:37)

• Key Takeaway: Outside of climbing and parenting, Alex Honnold enjoys playing ping pong and doing daily crossword puzzles.
• Summary: Since spending more time at home, he has picked up simple hobbies like ping pong, which he uses for warming up and cooling down in his gym. He also completes crossword puzzles daily. Much of his remaining downtime is consumed by parenting young children.

Upcoming Projects Plug

Copied to clipboard!

(01:32:18)

• Key Takeaway: Alex Honnold filmed a travel show for Travel Nevada called ‘Get a Little Out There,’ which contrasts with the intensity of the Taipei 101 climb.
• Summary: The travel show involved touring Nevada for outdoor adventures, which was a much more chill experience than the live broadcast. He enjoyed having fun adventures and meeting people while filming. The Honnold Foundation is currently soliciting grant applications for community solar projects globally.