In a heart-stopping feat, Alex Honnold is about to embark on a daring climb that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats. The renowned free solo climber is set to conquer Taipei 101, a towering skyscraper in Taiwan's capital, without any safety ropes, and it will be broadcast live on TV! But is this extreme challenge worth the risk?
Taipei 101, standing at an impressive 1,667 feet (508 meters), has long been an iconic landmark and a symbol of Taiwan's progress. For over a decade, it has captured the imagination of Honnold, a professional rock climber known for his fearless ascents. Now, he's ready to take on this steel and glass giant in his signature style, pushing the boundaries of what's possible.
The announcement of this live event has sparked a mix of excitement and concern. While many admire Honnold's audacity, others question the ethics of broadcasting such a high-risk endeavor. Especially now that Honnold is a married father of two, some wonder if he should continue these extreme climbs. Honnold, famous for his ropeless climb of El Capitan in Yosemite, documented in the film 'Free Solo', is determined to keep pushing climbing limits worldwide.
Honnold seeks unique challenges, as he told The Associated Press, "You look for things that are singular... way bigger and way prouder than all the things around it." Taipei 101 fits this description perfectly.
While Honnold won't be the first to climb the skyscraper, he'll be the first to do it without a rope. French climber Alain Robert scaled the building in 2004 during its grand opening as the world's tallest building. Despite injuries and harsh weather, Robert took nearly four hours to complete the climb.
Honnold, well-prepared after months of training, doesn't anticipate a difficult climb. He's practiced the route and consulted with Robert. "I don't think it'll be that extreme," he said, believing it's the perfect challenge for his skills.
The building's 101 floors present a unique obstacle, with the middle 64 floors, known as the 'bamboo boxes', being the most challenging. Each of the eight segments in this section offers eight floors of steep climbing followed by a balcony for rest.
The live broadcast, titled 'Skyscraper Live', will be delayed by 10 seconds for U.S. viewers, starting on Friday evening. James Smith, from Plimsoll Productions, prioritized safety, consulting with experts immediately after discussing the climb with Honnold. Smith's team, Secret Compass, has managed risks for various productions, from filming penguins in Antarctica to stunts on Australian skyscrapers.
Safety measures include constant communication between Honnold and Smith, cameramen inside the building, multiple escape points, and four high-angle camera operators on ropes. "They trust Alex and will be close to him throughout," Smith assured, aiming for both amazing footage and Honnold's safety.
Professional weather forecasters are also involved, with a small chance of light rain predicted for the climb. If conditions worsen, Honnold won't proceed.
For Taiwanese climber Chin Tzu-hsiang, Honnold's attempt is a dream come true. He grew up admiring Taipei 101 and has always wondered if he could climb it. Honnold's fame among climbers in Taiwan is such that even his less experienced students are excited to watch. Chin trusts Honnold's preparation and believes he won't take unnecessary risks.
The climb's novelty and risk are perfect for TV, according to Smith. "It's the highest, biggest urban free solo ever... We're writing history, and these events must be broadcast live." But these same elements raise ethical questions, as Subbu Vincent, a media ethics expert, points out.
Vincent emphasizes the importance of a 'back-off clause' and ensuring the production doesn't increase Honnold's risk. He advocates for a live broadcast delay, allowing for immediate stoppage if something goes wrong, stating, "It's unethical to proceed with the livestream after an incident."
Taipei 101 officials and Secret Compass declined to comment. Another ethical consideration is Honnold's potential influence on young viewers, a debate that dates back to Evel Knievel's stunts. Free soloing has claimed many lives, including an 18-year-old climber in Yosemite last year. Additionally, 'roof-topping', an illegal trend of dangling from skyscraper edges for photos, has led to several deaths.
Jeff Smoot, author of 'All and Nothing: Inside Free Soloing', shares these concerns but offers a climber's perspective: "From the public's view, it's thrill-seeking, but for climbers, it's a meditative art form." Smoot, who started climbing in the 1970s, wonders why Honnold would take on such a risky climb, especially without ropes and on live TV.
Yet, he poses a thought-provoking question: "If it wasn't dangerous, would people want to watch?" Is the allure of extreme sports solely in the danger they present?
