Alex Honnold’s daring plan to climb one of the tallest skyscrapers in the world without the use of ropes or safety gear has been temporarily halted by Netflix due to safety concerns.
The experienced climber was set to ascend Taipei 101, a towering 1,667-foot skyscraper with 101 floors located in Taiwan’s capital. The event was scheduled for Friday evening, but it was called off just moments before it was to be broadcasted due to unfavorable weather conditions.
Netflix issued a statement explaining the postponement of the event, with hopes that the weather would improve: “Due to weather, we are unable to proceed with today’s #SkyscraperLIVE event.
“It has been rescheduled for Saturday, January 24 at 8 PM ET | 5 PM PT.
“Safety remains our top priority, and we appreciate your understanding.”
Earlier, Honnold had acknowledged that adverse weather was the only potential obstacle to his much-anticipated climb, and unfortunately, his concerns were validated.
Due to weather, we are unable to proceed with today’s #SkyscraperLIVE event.
It has been rescheduled for Saturday, January 24 at 8 PM ET | 5 PM PT. Safety remains our top priority, and we appreciate your understanding. pic.twitter.com/FtNvSug48y
— Netflix (@netflix) January 24, 2026
In an interview with the New York Times, when questioned about rescheduling, he simply stated, “If it’s not raining, I’m doing it.”
When asked if he had considered the possibility of aborting the climb midway, he mentioned that he could simply step inside and use an elevator from any balcony if necessary. He also admitted he hadn’t thought about the implications of such a decision on his compensation for the challenge.
“I actually don’t know what the contract is, and, honestly, I don’t care,” he remarked. “If I’m bailing for some reason, it’s because I need to bail, and then it doesn’t matter what a contract says.”
The climb was initially planned for January, a central period in Taiwan’s dry season. However, conditions in Taipei were too wet and overcast to proceed on Saturday morning (local time) as intended.
Fortunately, the weather forecast for the following day is more promising, with AccuWeather predicting “partly sunny and pleasant” conditions.
Honnold gained global recognition in 2017 when he became the first individual to ‘free solo’ a complete route on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. The New York Times described this as ‘one of the great athletic feats of any kind, ever.’
Free solo climbing is the most perilous form of climbing, as it involves scaling natural structures with just the use of the body and chalk, devoid of any ropes or safety equipment. This makes any slip potentially life-threatening.
Explaining his motivation for taking on such a nerve-wracking challenge, Honnold told Tudum: “I first saw this building more than 10 years ago, and I’ve hoped to have the opportunity to climb it since then.”
He further noted that obtaining permission to climb a building like this is ‘rare’ and now that he has it, he intends to ‘take advantage.’