American Athlete Free-Climbs to the Top of Taipei 101—“My Fingers Look Like Sausages… I Don’t Want to Die, and I’m Truly Afraid”

In recent days, American free-solo climber Alex Honnold drew widespread attention after successfully scaling the 508-meter Taipei 101—without ropes or protective equipment—in approximately 1 hour and 31 minutes.

At 508 meters tall, the tower is described as the world’s 11th-highest building. Now 40, Honnold is renowned for completing some of the sport’s most demanding ascents without protection, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest free-solo climbers in history. He is also the featured athlete in the Oscar-winning documentary Free Solo.

After 1 hour, 31 minutes, and 36 seconds, Honnold reached the top and was met with cheers and congratulations from onlookers. He noted that the climb did not hinge on any single “crux” move, adding that the building’s metal surfaces and window structures offered reliable handholds—and that the challenge “didn’t come close” to his personal limit.

Honnold also addressed the misconception that free-solo climbers are fearless. “Most people act like they won’t die,” he said. “I think the bigger issue is refusing to talk about death. I never want to die. That’s exactly why I put so much work into preparation and training.”

Before the official ascent, he practiced repeatedly to minimize the risk of accidents—reportedly completing two or three rehearsal climbs with rope protection. According to The New York Times, the completed challenge will earn him a mid–six-figure payment in U.S. dollars.

While his palms appeared normal, his fingers were notably swollen—thick “like sausages”—and his hands were covered in heavy calluses, with skin hardened to a leather-like toughness.

He emphasized that fear is not absent from his climbs—it’s something he has learned to understand and manage. “People sometimes assume that because I climb without protection, I must not be afraid, or that I’m wired differently,” he explained. “But it may be the opposite: I’ve experienced so much fear that I’ve learned to interpret it better. That’s the real gift climbing has given me. As long as I know I’m not truly in danger, there’s nothing for me to be afraid of.”