We are here in beautiful taipei, taiwan for one reason
taipei, taiwan for one reason only, that man.
Only, that man. Alex honnold is widely regarded
alex honnold is widely regarded as the greatest free soloist in
as the greatest free soloist in history, and today he will
history, and today he will attempt to do something no human
attempt to do something no human being ever has, climb nearly
being ever has, climb nearly 1,700 feet up one of the world's
1,700 feet up one of the world's tallest buildings entirely
tallest buildings entirely without ropes.
Without ropes. I know.
I know. Yesterday the weather said no.
Yesterday the weather said no. But today the conditions are a
but today the conditions are a go.
Go. Welcome to "skyscraper live."
Welcome to "skyscraper live." What a building.
What a building. It has been a lifelong dream of
it has been a lifelong dream of mine to climb a skyscraper.
Mine to climb a skyscraper. There is nothing more impressive
there is nothing more impressive than taipei 101.
Than taipei 101. For more than a decade alex
for more than a decade alex honnold has carried a dream, to
honnold has carried a dream, to free solo one of the tallesfree solo one of the tallest buildings on earth.
Buildings on earth. No rope, no net, straight up the
no rope, no net, straight up the spire climb to the summit of
spire climb to the summit of taipei 101.
Taipei 101. And today we get to watch him
and today we get to watch him attempt it live, every inch,
attempt it live, every inch, bringing him closer to the
bringing him closer to the moment he has been chasing for a
moment he has been chasing for a lifetime.
Lifetime. I think that as long as I
I think that as long as I remember I always wanted to
remember I always wanted to climb things.
Climb things. When I was growing up I was kind
when I was growing up I was kind of shy.
Of shy. I was a loner.
I was a loner. I started rock climbing when I
I started rock climbing when I was 10ish.
Was 10ish. If all you want to do is climb
if all you want to do is climb and don't have any friends,
and don't have any friends, well, free soloing is for you.
Well, free soloing is for you. I free soloed thousands of rock
I free soloed thousands of rock faces.
Faces. I have climbed in the arctic,
I have climbed in the arctic, the jungle, and the desert.
The jungle, and the desert. But I have never free soloed a
but I have never free soloed a skyscraper.
Skyscraper. And I think it is fair to say
and I think it is fair to say that it has been a lifelong
that it has been a lifelong dream of mine.
Dream of mine. When I saw taipei 101 I thoughwhen I saw taipei 101 I thought what a building.
What a building. I always wanted to climb the
I always wanted to climb the coolest thing that I can find.
Coolest thing that I can find. If alex solos taipei 101 I
if alex solos taipei 101 I will be excited to see him
will be excited to see him fulfill a lifelong dream.
Fulfill a lifelong dream. I always looked ai always looked at skyscrapers and thought abouskyscrapers and thought about what it would be like to climb
what it would be like to climb on them, so I do feel really
on them, so I do feel really lucky to have the opportunity to
lucky to have the opportunity to climb one of the most inspiring
climb one of the most inspiring buildings in the world.
Buildings in the world. And look at the crowds thaand look at the crowds that showed up here in taipei,
showed up here in taipei, millions across the world and
thousands here. From the base of taipei 101, I
from the base of taipei 101, I am elle duncan along side who we
am elle duncan along side who we will dub as team alex.
Will dub as team alex. Wwe superstar seth rollins in
wwe superstar seth rollins in the building.
The building. And expert climber and close
and expert climber and close friend of alex, emily harrington
friend of alex, emily harrington is in the building.
Is in the building. We have got a couple more
we have got a couple more members of the team we are going
members of the team we are going to update in just a bit.
To update in just a bit. We are stacked.
We are stacked. Most of us first learned alex's
most of us first learned alex's name when he free soloed
name when he free soloed yosemite's el captain.
Yosemite's el captain. The particular quest to free
the particular quest to free solo a skyscraper brings him
solo a skyscraper brings him halfway around the world to
halfway around the world to taipei, taiwan, defined by the
taipei, taiwan, defined by the unmistakable presence of taipei
unmistakable presence of taipei 101.
101. We are just minutes away from
we are just minutes away from alex starting his ascent.
Alex starting his ascent. You can see alex there live
you can see alex there live right now feeling at home by his
right now feeling at home by his van.
Van. If you watched free solo, he
if you watched free solo, he lived in a van for ten years and
lived in a van for ten years and is there with his beautiful
is there with his beautiful wife, sanni.
Wife, sanni. I asked sanni what do you say
I asked sanni what do you say top alex before a huge free
top alex before a huge free soloing objective.
Soloing objective. She said you have to protect his
she said you have to protect his mental space and be neutral.
Mental space and be neutral. If you are too down on it, you
if you are too down on it, you can plant seeds of doubt.
Can plant seeds of doubt. If you are too high, you can do
if you are too high, you can do this, that is not what you want.
This, that is not what you want. You don't want the adrenaline.
You don't want the adrenaline. You have to be tranquil low.
You have to be tranquil low. Am I allowed to be hyped?
Am I allowed to be hyped? I am hyped.
I am hyped. I was barking before we went on
I was barking before we went on air.
Air. This is incredible.
This is incredible. What a building.
What a building. We are live across the world.
We are live across the world. I can't wait.
I can't wait. Yeah.
Yeah. You never watched your friend
you never watched your friend actually free solo before.
Actually free solo before. Welfare check on emily?
Welfare check on emily? I am on a little bit of a
I am on a little bit of a roller coaster.
Roller coaster. I have nerves for sure.
I have nerves for sure. Yeah.
Yeah. But I'm excited.
But I'm excited. You can understand why she
you can understand why she has nerves.
Has nerves. Here is the crash course on the
here is the crash course on the beast known as taipei 101.
Beast known as taipei 101. Taipei 101 is one of the
taipei 101 is one of the world's tallest buildings.
World's tallest buildings. It is huge.
It is huge. This three-stage route will pose
this three-stage route will pose many problems.
Many problems. First up, the slabs.
First up, the slabs. 372 Feet of slopped steel and
372 feet of slopped steel and glass.
Glass. Next, eight daunting bamboo
next, eight daunting bamboo boxes that sit on top of each
boxes that sit on top of each other like a bamboo stalk, each
other like a bamboo stalk, each with a strength-sapping
with a strength-sapping overhang.
Overhang. 900 Feet of straight up vertical
900 feet of straight up vertical climb.
Climb. The final and most dangerous
the final and most dangerous stage of the entire climb, the
stage of the entire climb, the tower.
Tower. Made up of the overhangs where
made up of the overhangs where his arm strength will be key.
His arm strength will be key. The rings, with very limited
the rings, with very limited holds, and the spire with a
holds, and the spire with a stomach-churning drop.
Stomach-churning drop. This is the most dangerous
this is the most dangerous section.
Section. Will a physically and mentally
will a physically and mentally exhausted alex make it to the
exhausted alex make it to the summit?
Summit? A small steel sphere.
A small steel sphere. Will he rise to the challenge?
Will he rise to the challenge? The goose bumps are goose
the goose bumps are goose bumping right now.
Bumping right now. Seth, you are here representing
seth, you are here representing the world right now.
The world right now. You are the every man guy.
You are the every man guy. You are a little confused and
you are a little confused and weirdly invested in a guy you
weirdly invested in a guy you don't know that much.
Don't know that much. How are you feeling?
How are you feeling? You are right.
You are right. I am the every man.
I am the every man. The every man is nervous.
The every man is nervous. He is scared.
He is scared. He is excited.
He is excited. The goose bumps are goose
the goose bumps are goose bumping.
Bumping. I feel like I want to slap my
I feel like I want to slap my arm like the rock.
Arm like the rock. I am feeling it.
I am feeling it. I am excited.
I am excited. It feels like a lot of
it feels like a lot of anticipation.
Anticipation. The city is ready.
The city is ready. We are ready to watch him gewe are ready to watch him get going.
Going. Everybody feels alex has
everybody feels alex has everything in control and is
everything in control and is confident, but there are
confident, but there are external forces in play today.
External forces in play today. I want to bring in the nexi want to bring in the next member of the team, mark rober,
member of the team, mark rober, a former nasa engineer, youtuber
a former nasa engineer, youtuber and expert explainer of all
and expert explainer of all things.
Things. Mark, what you watching?
Mark, what you watching? Yeah, I am at the south
yeah, I am at the south entrance of the building here.
Entrance of the building here. We are monitoring a number of
we are monitoring a number of different weather conditions to
different weather conditions to make sure that it is safe for
make sure that it is safe for alex to climb today.
Alex to climb today. The first is the rain.
The first is the rain. Everyone knows we have already
everyone knows we have already had to postpone once because of
had to postpone once because of the weather.
The weather. You can see a live weather radar
you can see a live weather radar here.
Here. There is a bank of rain off to
there is a bank of rain off to the right.
The right. Currently in taipei we are dry,
currently in taipei we are dry, but we are in a microclimate
but we are in a microclimate here and it can change at any
here and it can change at any moment.
Moment. We are keeping an eye on that.
We are keeping an eye on that. The second is the wind.
The second is the wind. We are looking at 4-5 miles per
we are looking at 4-5 miles per hour here on the ground, but as
hour here on the ground, but as you can imagine the higher up
you can imagine the higher up that you go, the worse thathat you go, the worse that gets.
Gets. At some point if it is too wind
at some point if it is too wind and he crosses the threshold we
and he crosses the threshold we have to call it because it is
have to call it because it is not safe for alex.
Not safe for alex. Finally, believe it or not we
finally, believe it or not we are monitoring earthquakes.
Are monitoring earthquakes. Taipei sits on the ring of fire
taipei sits on the ring of fire meaning it is seismically
meaning it is seismically active.
Active. In fact just this week we felin fact just this week we felt three that are magnitude 4.0 or
three that are magnitude 4.0 or above.
Above. In the last month there are over
in the last month there are over a dozen to hit the mark.
A dozen to hit the mark. Having said all of that, when I
having said all of that, when I worked at nasa and it was time
worked at nasa and it was time for a rocket launch it came down
for a rocket launch it came down to a clear go or no-go decision.
To a clear go or no-go decision. As for the rain, the wind and
as for the rain, the wind and the earthquakes we are looking
the earthquakes we are looking pretty good.
Pretty good. Now it just comes down to the
now it just comes down to the man himself.
Man himself. Alex has never free solo climbed
alex has never free solo climbed in front of thousands of people
in front of thousands of people let alone millions watching
let alone millions watching online on netflix.
Online on netflix. As long as he is feeling
as long as he is feeling confident, elle, we are go for
confident, elle, we are go for climb.
Climb. Back to you.
Back to you. Okay.
Okay. It looks like we are a go for
it looks like we are a go for climb.
Climb. Keeping it loose and chill as
keeping it loose and chill as alex would say, emily, as he
alex would say, emily, as he talks there with sanni.
Talks there with sanni. We are getting ready.
We are getting ready. A send off from sanni as well.
A send off from sanni as well. She told me that the start of
she told me that the start of the climb is the hardest parthe climb is the hardest part for her.
For her. She just doesn't know how it is
she just doesn't know how it is going to go and hasn't seen his
going to go and hasn't seen his rhythm.
Rhythm. Here he goes.
Here he goes. He is getting ready to go.
He is getting ready to go. He will make his walk over.
He will make his walk over. Alex said his preclimb ritual is
alex said his preclimb ritual is not a ritual.
Not a ritual. He is going to do a bit of
he is going to do a bit of stretching, no hype music or
stretching, no hype music or bravado or big speeches.
Bravado or big speeches. He feels ready.
He feels ready. He sequenced everything in his
he sequenced everything in his mind.
Mind. I understand that.
I understand that. It is the opposite of
it is the opposite of wrestling.
Wrestling. It is not quite the opposite.
It is not quite the opposite. There is the hug.
There is the hug. That is the final one.
That is the final one. He is on the way.
He is on the way. It is not quite the opposite,
it is not quite the opposite, but yeah, you have to center
but yeah, you have to center yourself and be ready.
Yourself and be ready. This is everything he worked
this is everything he worked for.
For. The moment is here.
The moment is here. We are seconds away from him
we are seconds away from him getting the shoes on and taking
getting the shoes on and taking the first steps up the
the first steps up the skyscraper.
Skyscraper. So you are locked in.
So you are locked in. You are focused.
You are focused. You are getting it ready.
You are getting it ready. It is so interesting too when
it is so interesting too when you talk about focus.
You talk about focus. I was standing there when alex
I was standing there when alex came out of the building and saw
came out of the building and saw the thousands of people there.
The thousands of people there. He said wow.
He said wow. Wow.
Wow. It is a different thing for him
it is a different thing for him today, right.
Today, right. Soloing is a solitary sport, and
soloing is a solitary sport, and now he is going to do it in
now he is going to do it in front of thousands when
front of thousands when concentration is key.
Concentration is key. Absolutely.
Absolutely. I mean it is a solitary thing.
I mean it is a solitary thing. He is definitely not used to
he is definitely not used to this.
This. There is a heli flying overhead
there is a heli flying overhead right now.
Right now. It is pretty loud.
It is pretty loud. I think alex is the master of
I think alex is the master of his own mind.
His own mind. He is going to do a great job of
he is going to do a great job of centering in and doing what he
centering in and doing what he knows how to do.
Knows how to do. You can see him putting the
you can see him putting the chalk bag on and his shoes on.
Chalk bag on and his shoes on. Custom shoes to help him
custom shoes to help him navigate the difference between
navigate the difference between a rock, glass and steel in this
a rock, glass and steel in this case.
Case. That is all he will have you
that is all he will have you guys.
Guys. Maybe a headphone, maybe he will
maybe a headphone, maybe he will listen to something.
Listen to something. Is he rocking out?
Is he rocking out? He loves to listen to his
he loves to listen to his heavy metal.
Heavy metal. Tool.
Tool. Tool is probably it.
Tool is probably it. He is also wearing a
he is also wearing a microphone.
Microphone. Not only will we be able to hear
not only will we be able to hear him during the course of the
him during the course of the climb, we are hoping should he
climb, we are hoping should he progress through the climb we
progress through the climb we will get an opportunity to talk
will get an opportunity to talk with alex as well.
With alex as well. Would you love to hear from alex
would you love to hear from alex on top of the building?
On top of the building? Okay.
Okay. Incredible.
Incredible. There he is again, emily.
There he is again, emily. He is looking up.
He is looking up. What is going through his mind
what is going through his mind as he is processing this.
As he is processing this. He mapped this out.
He mapped this out. He knows exactly what he wants
he knows exactly what he wants to do.
To do. He feels fully prepared if are
he feels fully prepared if are this.
This. What is going through his mind?
What is going through his mind? He visualized this.
He visualized this. He is probably going through the
he is probably going through the motions of getting ready to
motions of getting ready to climb.
Climb. That is something that he has
that is something that he has done thousands and thousands and
done thousands and thousands and thousands of time.
Thousands of time. This is all new to him.
This is all new to him. What he is doing right now is
what he is doing right now is very familiar.
Very familiar. He is just kind of getting into
he is just kind of getting into that space.
That space. There is a ton of
there is a ton of distractions.
Distractions. You are right.
You are right. This is so different.
This is so different. This is one of the biggesthis is one of the biggest things he has done in his entire
things he has done in his entire life, and the streets are lined
life, and the streets are lined with human beings ready to see
with human beings ready to see this happen.
This happen. But the main thing has to be the
but the main thing has to be the main thing.
Main thing. The main thing for alex is to
the main thing for alex is to get to the bottom of the
get to the bottom of the skyscraper to the top in one
skyscraper to the top in one piece, nothing getting in the
piece, nothing getting in the way.
Way. And before you ask the
and before you ask the question, because you are
question, because you are probably doing it at home.
Probably doing it at home. No ropes, parachutes or net.
No ropes, parachutes or net. This is a pass or fail
this is a pass or fail challenge, and it is about to
challenge, and it is about to start right now.
All right.
Have a good one. See you up there.
Okay
from what we understand the first thing that he just did is
first thing that he just did is one of the hardest parts of the
one of the hardest parts of the climb, getting on the building.
Climb, getting on the building. Hope somebody started my
hope somebody started my timer for me.
Timer for me. This is incredible.
This is incredible. I am speechless.
I am speechless. I didn't know what to expeci didn't know what to expect coming in, but my heart is
coming in, but my heart is racing.
Racing. How he is trying to calm himself
how he is trying to calm himself down right now and focus with
down right now and focus with everybody watching him starting
everybody watching him starting to go up this thing.
To go up this thing. We can hear in his microphone,
we can hear in his microphone, the sound of the clinging king e
the sound of the clinging king e steel, and that is making me
steel, and that is making me nervous.
Nervous. Sanni in the corner watching.
Sanni in the corner watching. Alex told me he is going to use
alex told me he is going to use the first part of the climb as a
the first part of the climb as a bit of a warm-up, but a reminder
bit of a warm-up, but a reminder that he is in the danger zone.
That he is in the danger zone. If you fall 100 feet or 1,000
if you fall 100 feet or 1,000 feet it is effectively the same
feet it is effectively the same outcome when you are free
outcome when you are free soloing.
Soloing. He must be mistake-free from the
he must be mistake-free from the outset straight away to survive.
Bit of a in him. It does ease my nerves to see
it does ease my nerves to see that smile.
That smile. He is having a good time.
He is having a good time. The crowd here in front of
the crowd here in front of the stage is just now seeing him
the stage is just now seeing him emerge from the trees, and they
emerge from the trees, and they are reacting to watching him as
are reacting to watching him as he continues to make his
he continues to make his historic climb up taipei 101.
Emily, I asked him last night. I said how do you know whether
I said how do you know whether it will be successful righit will be successful right away?
Away? We famously saw him bail on one
we famously saw him bail on one of has attempts during the free
of has attempts during the free solo documentary, and he said isolo documentary, and he said it is just this feeling.
Is just this feeling. I know right away if it will be
I know right away if it will be chill or not.
Chill or not. Alex is very good at being
alex is very good at being decisive and trusting his gut.
Decisive and trusting his gut. He has a ton of experience with
he has a ton of experience with it, more than anyone.
It, more than anyone. Yeah.
Yeah. Wait a minute.
Wait a minute. Are they in the building?
Are they in the building? Anybody going to start my
anybody going to start my music?
Music? He is asking for the music to
he is asking for the music to be played in his ear.
Be played in his ear. He wants the tool.
He wants the tool. He wants to be fired up.
He wants to be fired up. I like that.
I like that. Yeah.
Yeah. They are in there filming him
they are in there filming him from the inside.
From the inside. This is incredible.
This is incredible. He is already so high in the
he is already so high in the air.
Air. You can look and see him.
You can look and see him. You can see his redshiryou can see his redshirt standing out starkly against the
standing out starkly against the sky and the building, and you
sky and the building, and you can see him.
Can see him. He is so high.
He is so high. He is coming up on the firshe is coming up on the first ruyi here.
Ruyi here. The ruyi is the first major
the ruyi is the first major obstacle he will face.
Obstacle he will face. In mandarin it means as you
in mandarin it means as you wish.
Wish. Cloud-shaped symbols of good
cloud-shaped symbols of good luck.
Luck. There are two of them and they
there are two of them and they are around 16 feet tall apiece.
Are around 16 feet tall apiece. The ruyi is an engineered shape,
the ruyi is an engineered shape, and his usual instincts do noand his usual instincts do not fully apply here.
Fully apply here. Watch and see how he tackles
watch and see how he tackles this.
My goodness.
This is a perfect time. That is alex's friend brett.
That is alex's friend brett. We have the most elite camera
we have the most elite camera set up and camera crew.
Set up and camera crew. He will be suspended the
he will be suspended the entirety of the climb.
Entirety of the climb. Alex is surrounded by friends
alex is surrounded by friends and fellow climbers for the
and fellow climbers for the duration of this.
Duration of this. There he goes.
There he goes. Soaking in the view.
Soaking in the view. Alex, soaking in the view righalex, soaking in the view right now atop the very first ruyi.
Now atop the very first ruyi. Again, there is another one.
Again, there is another one. Emily, you said if he is playing
emily, you said if he is playing to the crowd and waving, he is
to the crowd and waving, he is feeling it.
Feeling it. He is feeling good.
He is feeling good. Alex is having his moment.
Alex is having his moment. I am still a little stressed.
I am still a little stressed. Yes.
Yes. I am so stressed watching him
I am so stressed watching him get up the ruyi and tossing his
get up the ruyi and tossing his feet up there.
Feet up there. Guys, this is not normal.
Guys, this is not normal. Sure.
Oh, wow. Dude.
Dude. Emily, you say alex is
emily, you say alex is thriving and clearly having a
thriving and clearly having a great time.
Great time. He is on his playground.
He is on his playground. We just cannot underscore enough
we just cannot underscore enough the danger here.
The danger here. There is no net, you guys.
There is no net, you guys. He is not wearing a parachute.
He is not wearing a parachute. Yeah.
Yeah. This is super dangerous.
This is super dangerous. This is super stressful for me
this is super stressful for me to watch.
To watch. Free soloing is not something
free soloing is not something that feels super comfortable to
that feels super comfortable to watch.
Watch. Yeah.
Yeah. There is a very high
there is a very high consequence, obviously.
Consequence, obviously. It is uncomfortable.
It is uncomfortable. There is a human visceral
there is a human visceral feeling that you get when you
feeling that you get when you see someone that high off of the
see someone that high off of the ground.
Ground. The people in the windows are
the people in the windows are making me so nervous.
Making me so nervous. That is scary to me.
That is scary to me. Is that distraction?
Is that distraction? Is that a bird flying on a
is that a bird flying on a mountainside?
Mountainside? I don't think it is super
I don't think it is super distracting for him.
Distracting for him. I think alex has laid out every
I think alex has laid out every scenario and visualized exactly
scenario and visualized exactly what this is going to be like
what this is going to be like and what it will feel like.
And what it will feel like. Of course he does not know
of course he does not know exactly, but I get the feeling
exactly, but I get the feeling that he is very much in the flow
that he is very much in the flow and he feels very in control.
And he feels very in control. You can see people taking the
you can see people taking the pictures through the window.
Pictures through the window. That would be an epic picture to
that would be an epic picture to post on social media.
Post on social media. Can you do that for us?
Can you do that for us? Hashtag skyscraper live.
Hashtag skyscraper live. The crowd is experiencing this
the crowd is experiencing this along side alex.
Along side alex. Taipei 101 is a public building.
Taipei 101 is a public building. It is open.
It is open. People are in their offices.
People are in their offices. They are doing a little bit of
they are doing a little bit of work and just watching a man
work and just watching a man climb by the window.
Climb by the window. Really normal, basic stuff.
Really normal, basic stuff. This is not normal, elle.
This is not normal, elle. This is not normal.
This is not normal. The higher he gets, the more
the higher he gets, the more freaked out it is making me.
Freaked out it is making me. I thought it might be the
I thought it might be the opposite, that I would get more
opposite, that I would get more comfortable.
Comfortable. I am turning around and seeing
I am turning around and seeing him.
Him. He is not even a third of the
he is not even a third of the way up the building.
Way up the building. The danger is hitting me hard
the danger is hitting me hard right now.
Right now. Truly.
Truly. He is still on what we call the
he is still on what we call the slabs.
Slabs. He will in about 10 to 15 meters
he will in about 10 to 15 meters from now face his second and
from now face his second and last ruyi and still has the
last ruyi and still has the eight bamboo boxes, the dragons
eight bamboo boxes, the dragons and the climb.
And the climb. It gets harder and harder and
it gets harder and harder and will end with the tower which is
will end with the tower which is strength-sapping.
Strength-sapping. He will be absolutely worked.
He will be absolutely worked. We will talk to him about all of
we will talk to him about all of that should he continue to
that should he continue to ascend the climb.
Ascend the climb. The lower part is the easiesthe lower part is the easiest part of the building.
Part of the building. He really is -- he looks like he
he really is -- he looks like he is flowing and moving really
is flowing and moving really well, but it is kind of like the
well, but it is kind of like the warm-up part of the building.
Warm-up part of the building. The hardest part is above.
The hardest part is above. You can see the bamboo boxes are
you can see the bamboo boxes are slightly overhanging.
Slightly overhanging. That will increase fatigue.
That will increase fatigue. He will have to be moving well
he will have to be moving well and efficiently.
And efficiently. Yeah.
Yeah. It is definitely not over.
It is definitely not over. I love the warm-up.
I love the warm-up. All right.
All right. I warm up too, but mine could
I warm up too, but mine could not potentially k*ll me.
Not potentially k*ll me. Yeah.
Yeah. I mean he is right there.
I mean he is right there. I am so shocked at the visual of
I am so shocked at the visual of him from us sitting here and
him from us sitting here and looking up at him.
Looking up at him. I am so shocked at the visual.
I am so shocked at the visual. It is jarring.
It is jarring. The red shirt is really jarring.
The red shirt is really jarring. As he approaches the second
as he approaches the second and the final ruyi, you watched
and the final ruyi, you watched him on the first one.
Him on the first one. Why is the ruyi, the ornamenwhy is the ruyi, the ornament such a challenge?
Such a challenge? It breaks up the flow and the
it breaks up the flow and the repetitive movement he is doing
repetitive movement he is doing over the slabs.
Over the slabs. Look at that shot.
Look at that shot. Yeah.
Yeah. You can see there it is sticking
you can see there it is sticking out from the corner.
Out from the corner. He has to get on top of it.
He has to get on top of it. He has to lean out and rely on
he has to lean out and rely on his arms.
His arms. Dude.
Dude. Throws his leg up.
Throws his leg up. Put your hand on the thing.
Put your hand on the thing. He is just one-arming it.
He is just one-arming it. He is shaking his hands and
he is shaking his hands and resting and putting chalk on the
resting and putting chalk on the hands that will absorb the
hands that will absorb the sweat.
Sweat. He is just going climbing.
He is just going climbing. Just going climbing.
Just going climbing. Again, if you are jusagain, if you are just joining us, you are watching
joining us, you are watching "skyscraper live," alex honnold,
"skyscraper live," alex honnold, inarguably I would say the
inarguably I would say the greatest free soloist in history
greatest free soloist in history attempting to do something thaattempting to do something that nobody else ever has.
Nobody else ever has. 1,700 Feet, no ropes up taipei
1,700 feet, no ropes up taipei 101.
Oh, yes. Good to know that these
good to know that these didn't ruyi his opportunity --
didn't ruyi his opportunity -- I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry. This feels like a good time to
this feels like a good time to do an emotional welfare check.
Do an emotional welfare check. Now back to mark rober who is
now back to mark rober who is standing by with sanni, alex's
standing by with sanni, alex's wife.
Wife. It is good to see alex
it is good to see alex getting off of the ground.
Getting off of the ground. You know him better than anyone
you know him better than anyone on the planet.
On the planet. What do you think is going
what do you think is going through his mind?
Through his mind? I think he is probably really
I think he is probably really psyched.
Psyched. Beautiful conditions and there
beautiful conditions and there is great energy here.
Is great energy here. He is doing what he loves.
He is doing what he loves. For my money you are the
for my money you are the second bravest person in taiwan
second bravest person in taiwan right now.
Right now. I know that you normally don'i know that you normally don't like to watch him free solo.
Like to watch him free solo. How are you doing?
How are you doing? I'm fine.
I'm fine. I am breathing.
I am breathing. No.
No. I am just trying to stay calm
I am just trying to stay calm and be in the moment.
And be in the moment. Okay.
Okay. Sanni is feeling good.
Sanni is feeling good. The crowd is feeling good.
The crowd is feeling good. I am sick to my stomach.
I am sick to my stomach. Elle, back to you.
Elle, back to you. 100%.
100%. I don't know how she is doing
I don't know how she is doing this.
This. Most of the world watched free
most of the world watched free solo and they were sick.
Solo and they were sick. They knew he completed it but ithey knew he completed it but it was nerve-racking and
was nerve-racking and anxiety-inducing.
Anxiety-inducing. You look at sanni and the impacyou look at sanni and the impact she has had.
She has had. Emily, people say there was a
emily, people say there was a before and after sanni came into
before and after sanni came into his of life.
His of life. What changed?
What changed? Any partnership, you look for
any partnership, you look for the person that will bring outhe person that will bring out the best in you.
The best in you. In the case of sanni and alex,
in the case of sanni and alex, that is definitely whathat is definitely what happened.
Happened. Alex has a lot more empathy than
alex has a lot more empathy than he did before.
He did before. Being a professional athlete you
being a professional athlete you are so focused on doing your
are so focused on doing your thing for so long.
Thing for so long. Yeah.
Yeah. Once you have the partner ionce you have the partner it changes things a bit.
Changes things a bit. She has been nothing but a
she has been nothing but a positive force in his life.
Positive force in his life. He said that he thinks sanni
he said that he thinks sanni would prefer he take less risks,
would prefer he take less risks, but we find ourselves on the
but we find ourselves on the side of the building.
Side of the building. He has completed the first two
he has completed the first two of the ruyi, but he is coming up
of the ruyi, but he is coming up on something that will prove to
on something that will prove to be a huge obstacle.
Be a huge obstacle. Enter the dragon.
Enter the dragon. Like taiwan's temples, taipei
like taiwan's temples, taipei 101 is guarded by dragons.
101 Is guarded by dragons. Perched on the corner of each
perched on the corner of each bamboo box, they pose a daunting
bamboo box, they pose a daunting challenge.
Challenge. 16-Feet high, these steel
16-feet high, these steel features symbolically protecfeatures symbolically protect taipei 101.
Taipei 101. 10 Dragons and 10 big problems
10 dragons and 10 big problems for alex.
For alex. There you go.
There you go. You see the obstacle just ahead,
you see the obstacle just ahead, the dragon.
The dragon. The dragon.
The dragon. Doing your thing for so long.
Doing your thing for so long. Yeah.
Yeah. Once you have that partner, ionce you have that partner, it changes things a bit.
Changes things a bit. She has been nothing but a very
she has been nothing but a very positive force in taiwanese
positive force in taiwanese culture, meant to protect the
culture, meant to protect the building.
Building. Let's listen to what he is
let's listen to what he is saying.
The next one a bunch of oversized kids standing in the
oversized kids standing in the window.
I was going to give him a high five.
Five. He won't high five me.
He won't high five me. They are too busy taking
they are too busy taking pictures.
Pictures. Kids these days on their
you are having so much fun listen to alex.
Listen to alex. Yeah.
Yeah. He can do our jobs for us.
He can do our jobs for us. Going left around the dragon,
going left around the dragon, because I think that is what I
because I think that is what I was told.
Actually I am going to stay right on this and climb the parright on this and climb the part of the wall.
You are hearing alex talk through how he is going to
through how he is going to approach the first of the
approach the first of the dragons.
Oh my goodness.
How many of those does he have to do?
Have to do? Ten more of those.
Ten more of those. Nine more.
Nine more. Ten dragons.
Ten dragons. I mean everyone collectively
I mean everyone collectively holding their breath.
Holding their breath. What a day in taipei.
What a day in taipei. What a day in taipei he says.
What a day in taipei he says. Can you imagine?
Can you imagine? No.
No. This is a nightmare for mosthis is a nightmare for most people.
People. Emily, alex noted that the
emily, alex noted that the dragons look incredibly cool,
dragons look incredibly cool, but what is tricky about them?
But what is tricky about them? They are tricky because they
they are tricky because they are a bit difficult to climb.
Are a bit difficult to climb. It is not a repetitive movemenit is not a repetitive movement over and over again and takes
over and over again and takes creativity and thought.
Creativity and thought. You saw him go out towards the
you saw him go out towards the edge of the feature.
Edge of the feature. It is super curved.
It is super curved. There is no texture.
There is no texture. He had to really rely on his
he had to really rely on his upper body strength to get up
upper body strength to get up there.
There. Yeah.
Yeah. They are just a bit more like
they are just a bit more like real rock climbing versus
real rock climbing versus climbing the ladder type of
climbing the ladder type of things he had on the lower
things he had on the lower slabs.
Slabs. Now it is going to get a binow it is going to get a bit more real.
More real. Why do you say that?
Why do you say that? This is the start of the
this is the start of the bamboo boxes.
Bamboo boxes. It is a bit steeper.
It is a bit steeper. I actually saw the ledges he is
I actually saw the ledges he is holding on to.
Holding on to. See how he is pinching thasee how he is pinching that between his thumb and finger,
between his thumb and finger, the pinch grip position can be
the pinch grip position can be more tenuous and feel more
more tenuous and feel more insecure.
Insecure. You can see him looking and
you can see him looking and wiping his hands off.
Wiping his hands off. Yeah.
Yeah. The steepness.
The steepness. It is super exposed.
It is super exposed. You are less on your feet.
You are less on your feet. The ledges are a bit smaller
the ledges are a bit smaller than they were down below and ithan they were down below and it all ramps up a bit here.
All ramps up a bit here. It looks like it is inverted
it looks like it is inverted too.
Too. It looks like you are not going
it looks like you are not going straight up and down.
Straight up and down. You are going backwards.
You are going backwards. Overhanging.
Overhanging. Yeah.
Yeah. It is more than vertical.
It is more than vertical. Again, we are checking on
again, we are checking on alex's current progress.
Alex's current progress. Alex honnold continuing his
alex honnold continuing his ascent of taipei 101 live
ascent of taipei 101 live without ropes.
Without ropes. The slabs are behind him.
The slabs are behind him. The ruyis are conquered.
The ruyis are conquered. He just took down the firshe just took down the first dragon, and now as you
dragon, and now as you mentioned, emily, eight stacked
mentioned, emily, eight stacked sections each over 100 feesections each over 100 feet tall, called the bamboo boxes.
Tall, called the bamboo boxes. More than 900 feet.
More than 900 feet. If he gets past that, the tower
if he gets past that, the tower still waits above him, and thastill waits above him, and that is where the climb gets
is where the climb gets particularly brutal.
And we know that alex has talked about always wanting to free
about always wanting to free solo a skyscraper, but typically
solo a skyscraper, but typically he finds himself on more natural
he finds himself on more natural form.
Form. Let's bring in mark rober who
let's bring in mark rober who will science splain for us all
will science splain for us all day and has the difference
day and has the difference between a skyscraper and rock.
Between a skyscraper and rock. Yeah, elle.
Yeah, elle. I am at the base of taipei 101
I am at the base of taipei 101 right here.
Right here. I think this is a good time to
I think this is a good time to point out the difference between
point out the difference between boldering and buildering.
Boldering and buildering. You need friction.
You need friction. If you don't have friction you
if you don't have friction you slip, you fall, bad things
slip, you fall, bad things happen.
Happen. Lucky for alex, that is buillucky for alex, that is built into our human -- the squishy
into our human -- the squishy parts of the fingers getting
parts of the fingers getting into the nooks and crannies on
into the nooks and crannies on the rock giving you good
the rock giving you good traction.
Traction. For a building, we are talking
for a building, we are talking steel and glass.
Steel and glass. The fingers can't get in to
the fingers can't get in to nooks and crannies.
Nooks and crannies. Alex has to grip harder to gealex has to grip harder to get the same level of friction.
The same level of friction. As he goes up it will be
as he goes up it will be something he has to manage.
Something he has to manage. He will have to be grabbinga a
he will have to be grabbinga a lot harder than he would if he
lot harder than he would if he were climbing outdoors.
Were climbing outdoors. Rock grips back, but steel
rock grips back, but steel and glass do not.
And glass do not. That is exactly it.
That is exactly it. This is a good time to point outhis is a good time to point out something else.
Something else. I talked with alex last night.
I talked with alex last night. A question people at homer
a question people at homer wondering.
Wondering. Why not have a parachute for a
why not have a parachute for a safety precaution.
Safety precaution. The problem is there are so many
the problem is there are so many outcroppings and in croppings
outcroppings and in croppings and the wind is not predictable
and the wind is not predictable near the edge of the building.
Near the edge of the building. It would only be effective for
it would only be effective for 15% of the climb and at tha15% of the climb and at that point the risk outweighs the
point the risk outweighs the reward.
Reward. He will rely on skill,
he will rely on skill, experience, a metric butt ton of
experience, a metric butt ton of intestinal fortitude.
Intestinal fortitude. A butt ton of mental
a butt ton of mental fortitude.
Fortitude. Mark rober will be joined with
mark rober will be joined with sanni.
Sanni. He will head up to the
he will head up to the observation deck.
Observation deck. Emily, we mentioned the bamboo
emily, we mentioned the bamboo boxes, which is the majority of
boxes, which is the majority of the climb.
The climb. What is so unusual about the
what is so unusual about the stretch alex is about to endure?
Stretch alex is about to endure? The bamboo boxes are the mosthe bamboo boxes are the most difficult part of the climb, and
difficult part of the climb, and it is pretty unusual with a rock
it is pretty unusual with a rock climb to have the majority, the
climb to have the majority, the bulk of the climb, being the
bulk of the climb, being the most difficult part.
Most difficult part. What it means for this building
what it means for this building and for alex is that it is an
and for alex is that it is an endurance challenge.
Endurance challenge. He is doing the same move,
he is doing the same move, similar hand positions.
Similar hand positions. It is a bit steep.
It is a bit steep. He will build up fatigue.
He will build up fatigue. He will have to manage thahe will have to manage that along the way.
Along the way. If you are just joining us,
if you are just joining us, welcome to "skyscraper live."
Welcome to "skyscraper live." You are watching alex honnold
you are watching alex honnold free solo taipei 101, no ropes
free solo taipei 101, no ropes and no harnesses.
And no harnesses. Again, the climb continues to
again, the climb continues to get harder by the minute.
Get harder by the minute. In case you are wondering,
in case you are wondering, exactly, despite what you are
exactly, despite what you are looking at alex is not fearless.
Looking at alex is not fearless. He is deliberate.
He is deliberate. He is prepared, but fatherhood
he is prepared, but fatherhood adds a different layer to the
adds a different layer to the calculation.
Definitely people question soloing now that he is a dad.
Soloing now that he is a dad. It's fair.
It's fair. I think alex does think aboui think alex does think about things differently now that he
things differently now that he is a dad.
Is a dad. You know, life as a father is
you know, life as a father is great.
Great. Life as a father is
people often ask me questions if my risk taking has changed since
my risk taking has changed since I had kids.
I had kids. I didn't want to die in the
I didn't want to die in the mountains before I had kids and
mountains before I had kids and I don't want to die after having
I don't want to die after having kids.
Kids. Alex going out soloing is
alex going out soloing is alex demonstrating we all have
alex demonstrating we all have desires within us, and look whadesires within us, and look what is possible if you follow thais possible if you follow that desire.
Desire. And not only do I think that is
and not only do I think that is important for my kids to see.
Important for my kids to see. I think that is important for
I think that is important for the world to see.
The world to see. I want my kids to see me
I want my kids to see me training for the goals that I
training for the goals that I have and with a lot of efforhave and with a lot of effort and a lot of hard work that you
and a lot of hard work that you can accomplish those kinds of
can accomplish those kinds of goals.
Goals. I mean like all relationships
I mean like all relationships it comes down to trust.
It comes down to trust. I trust him and his
I trust him and his decision-making process.
Decision-making process. Do accidents happen, yes.
Do accidents happen, yes. That is true no matter what we
that is true no matter what we do in life.
Do in life. At the end of the day I jusat the end of the day I just have to trust him.
Have to trust him. It is so interesting.
It is so interesting. I think one of the themes thai think one of the themes that keeps coming up is that alex,
keeps coming up is that alex, now you have children how
now you have children how irresponsible to do something
irresponsible to do something like this.
Like this. You know him.
You know him. You know what drives and
you know what drives and motivates him and how have you
motivates him and how have you seen a change in alex since he
seen a change in alex since he became a dad?
Became a dad? Yeah.
Yeah. When you have children, any of
when you have children, any of us alex included, you are no
us alex included, you are no longer solely focussed on
longer solely focussed on yourself and your own goals.
Yourself and your own goals. You really have to split your
you really have to split your attention and your energy.
Attention and your energy. Alex is no different.
Alex is no different. I mean we sort of reminisce
I mean we sort of reminisce about the days we could go to
about the days we could go to yosemite and only focus on
yosemite and only focus on climbing el cap and life was
climbing el cap and life was really simple and easy in a way.
Really simple and easy in a way. Now we are a bit more tired, and
now we are a bit more tired, and our energy is split, and we have
our energy is split, and we have to give attention and prioritize
to give attention and prioritize something else.
Something else. He has absolutely had to do
he has absolutely had to do that, but that does not mean
that, but that does not mean that you stop doing what you
that you stop doing what you love.
Love. Sure.
Sure. Doesn't mean you stop having
doesn't mean you stop having passions or pushing yourself.
Passions or pushing yourself. That is important to show your
that is important to show your children.
Children. There is an incredible
there is an incredible balance that you have to find, I
balance that you have to find, I think.
Think. In that package alex mentioned I
in that package alex mentioned I didn't want to die before having
didn't want to die before having kids.
Kids. You don't want to die extra when
you don't want to die extra when you have kids.
You have kids. There is something about wanting
there is something about wanting to be there for your children to
to be there for your children to watch them grow up and to be
watch them grow up and to be there for them.
There for them. There is an extra sense of
there is an extra sense of responsibility that you get.
Responsibility that you get. When you have a passion and when
when you have a passion and when you have something like this you
you have something like this you are drawn to, you have to find
are drawn to, you have to find the balance between I need to be
the balance between I need to be myself.
Myself. I need to show my kids what ii need to show my kids what it is to be human and what it is to
is to be human and what it is to pursue a passion, but I need to
pursue a passion, but I need to figure out how do I balance ifigure out how do I balance it with the responsibility of being
with the responsibility of being a father that needs to be there
a father that needs to be there and a husband that needs to be
and a husband that needs to be there for their lives.
There for their lives. He acknowledged that he has a
he acknowledged that he has a lot more to live for and that he
lot more to live for and that he can't go away and take the
can't go away and take the bigger objectives.
Bigger objectives. That ultimately he knows he is
that ultimately he knows he is prepared and that he has
prepared and that he has mastered what he does and he
mastered what he does and he wants you to be able to do that.
Wants you to be able to do that. The most relatable thing thathe most relatable thing that alex said, despite what he is
alex said, despite what he is doing now is that parenting is
doing now is that parenting is exhausting.
Exhausting. Thank you.
Thank you. Hello.
Hello. If you are just joining us here,
if you are just joining us here, hashtag "skyscraper live."
Hashtag "skyscraper live." We would love to hear from you
we would love to hear from you on social media as the world is
on social media as the world is watching alex honnold attempt to
watching alex honnold attempt to free solo climb, no ropes, nets,
free solo climb, no ropes, nets, parachutes, taipei 101 which is
parachutes, taipei 101 which is nearly 1,700 feet.
Nearly 1,700 feet. So we want to introduce you as
so we want to introduce you as he makes his way up through the
he makes his way up through the bamboo boxes and is closing in
bamboo boxes and is closing in on another dragon to the final
on another dragon to the final member of the team today, peter
member of the team today, peter woods, a seasoned competitive
woods, a seasoned competitive climber, coach, commentator.
Climber, coach, commentator. We are checking in with pete as
we are checking in with pete as alex tackles the more difficulalex tackles the more difficult obstacles in front of him.
Obstacles in front of him. What have you seen from alex so
what have you seen from alex so far as he makes his way towards
far as he makes his way towards another dragon?
Another dragon? Elle, I have seen what I was
elle, I have seen what I was expecting.
Variance in the repetitive movements.
Movements. Some sneaky heel hooks to take
some sneaky heel hooks to take the weight off of his arms and
the weight off of his arms and helps him lean back.
Helps him lean back. You are seeing him varying his
you are seeing him varying his grip pattern a bit, squeezing
grip pattern a bit, squeezing and leaning to the side.
And leaning to the side. Look for in the corners he will
look for in the corners he will grab right in the corner and
grab right in the corner and start pulling down.
Start pulling down. All of these things, elle, are
all of these things, elle, are going to allow him not to
going to allow him not to overstress the muscle groups in
overstress the muscle groups in the forearm and fight off some
the forearm and fight off some of the fatigue.
Of the fatigue. Pete, seth rollins here.
Pete, seth rollins here. What is a smear?
What is a smear? What is a smear?
What is a smear? Bagel?
Bagel? You have to explain that for
you have to explain that for me.
Me. It is similar.
It is similar. It is similar to the bagel
it is similar to the bagel smear.
Smear. You imagine when you are
you imagine when you are climbing you are pushing down.
Climbing you are pushing down. Resistance to push back up on
resistance to push back up on the feet.
The feet. When you are smearing, you are
when you are smearing, you are pushing flat against a flapushing flat against a flat surface.
Surface. You are turning that directional
you are turning that directional force pushing straight in and
force pushing straight in and then using the friction of the
then using the friction of the shoe rubber to give you upward
shoe rubber to give you upward momentum.
Momentum. Smearing on the sides of the
smearing on the sides of the panel and using the hip mobility
panel and using the hip mobility to push him upwards.
To push him upwards. It seems counter intuitive, buit seems counter intuitive, but you can push straight in and
you can push straight in and then you can go up.
I asked alex to kind of give me the big picture of this
me the big picture of this particular section of the
particular section of the building.
Building. He said two easy moves and a
he said two easy moves and a hard move.
Hard move. Two easy moves and a hard move.
Two easy moves and a hard move. He is making it look like lighhe is making it look like light work.
Work. Oh, man.
Oh, man. He completed three dragons.
He completed three dragons. There are ten in total.
There are ten in total. Seven more to go.
Seven more to go. Again, this building is 101
again, this building is 101 floors.
This climb, it is 101 floors, and then he has got the tower,
and then he has got the tower, the overhangs, the rings and the
the overhangs, the rings and the spire.
Spire. I think he is floating, maybe
I think he is floating, maybe going shirtless.
Going shirtless. Absolutely.
Absolutely. Wow.
Wow. That is respect.
That is respect. He should do that.
He should do that. You can get a good tan up there,
you can get a good tan up there, I swear.
I swear. He has been hanging out with
he has been hanging out with you far too long.
You far too long. At home you may be wondering how
at home you may be wondering how you prepare to climb one of the
you prepare to climb one of the tallest buildings on earth with
tallest buildings on earth with no ropes?
No ropes? You start long before today.
You start long before today. Alex has been climbing taipei
alex has been climbing taipei 101 for years in his mind.
101 For years in his mind. When I visualize a climb like
when I visualize a climb like taipei 101, I am thinking aboutaipei 101, I am thinking about what it will feel like.
What it will feel like. That is the point of doing the
that is the point of doing the visualization, to experience the
visualization, to experience the emotions ahead of time so I
emotions ahead of time so I don't experience them while
don't experience them while doing the climb and it is the
doing the climb and it is the mental preparation that helps my
mental preparation that helps my physical training.
Physical training. A lot of the training for taipei
a lot of the training for taipei 101 is different than rock
101 is different than rock climbing.
Climbing. It is more around simulating the
it is more around simulating the feeling in my body, which is
feeling in my body, which is sort of deep fatigue.
Sort of deep fatigue. I have to be able to do 1,600
I have to be able to do 1,600 feet of vertical climbing kind
feet of vertical climbing kind of quickly.
Of quickly. On taipei 101 you are basically
on taipei 101 you are basically grabbing the same holds almosgrabbing the same holds almost the whole way up the building.
The whole way up the building. The big metal box pinches.
The big metal box pinches. Yeah.
Yeah. It is not that hard, but after
it is not that hard, but after 300 reps it starts to feel
300 reps it starts to feel pretty hard.
Pretty hard. I do hundreds of reps a day
I do hundreds of reps a day building up my strength.
Building up my strength. Pull-ups, push-ups, core work,
pull-ups, push-ups, core work, stretching, endurance training.
Stretching, endurance training. The idea is to feel that ache
the idea is to feel that ache through your whole body that I
through your whole body that I will experience on the building.
Will experience on the building. That is what I need to feel and
that is what I need to feel and prepare for.
Prepare for. But preparation is one thing.
But preparation is one thing. You can practice something and
you can practice something and it feels a certain way, abouit feels a certain way, about you when you do something you
you when you do something you have never done before you never
have never done before you never totally know you are ready.
Totally know you are ready. That fear is always there.
That fear is always there. Again, so much repetition is
again, so much repetition is baked in.
Baked in. He will do the same sequence 92
he will do the same sequence 92 times, 20 lower, 72 upper, over
times, 20 lower, 72 upper, over and over and over.
And over and over. He said it is less tricky
he said it is less tricky technically but it is more
technically but it is more physically demanding.
Physically demanding. He is making his way up through
he is making his way up through the bamboo boxes.
The bamboo boxes. He is rolling.
He is rolling. I think it is a perfect time.
I think it is a perfect time. We are going to keep doing
we are going to keep doing welfare checks with sanni, his
welfare checks with sanni, his wife.
Wife. Mark is standing by with sanni
mark is standing by with sanni as alex continues his historic
as alex continues his historic ascent.
Yes. I am up here about halfway up on
I am up here about halfway up on the 60th floor.
The 60th floor. Alex will be coming up here
alex will be coming up here soon.
Soon. We are monitoring.
We are monitoring. Any moment he might come up.
Any moment he might come up. I am here with sanni as well.
I am here with sanni as well. How are we feeling?
How are we feeling? I am doing okay.
I am doing okay. You look like you are doing
you look like you are doing pretty good.
Pretty good. I am kind of impressed.
I am kind of impressed. I am holding it together.
I am holding it together. The sun is coming out.
The sun is coming out. Now it is getting warm.
Now it is getting warm. He should have worn shorts.
He should have worn shorts. That is where my head is at.
That is where my head is at. I am psyched for him.
I am psyched for him. I want him to slow down.
I want him to slow down. I do feel like he is ahead of
I do feel like he is ahead of pace.
Pace. He is an overachiever.
He is an overachiever. Yeah.
Yeah. He should be up here soon.
He should be up here soon. It will be an incredible angle.
It will be an incredible angle. You know, 1,000 feet up in
you know, 1,000 feet up in the air.
The air. It will be mind-blowing.
It will be mind-blowing. We will see the angle from this
we will see the angle from this camera.
Camera. Thank you so much.
Thank you so much. It is interesting, you know.
It is interesting, you know. Sanni saying I am doing okay.
Sanni saying I am doing okay. Emily, you are taking a lot of
emily, you are taking a lot of deep breaths.
Deep breaths. I am watching you in real time.
I am watching you in real time. This is crazy.
This is crazy. People don't usually watch free
people don't usually watch free soloing.
Soloing. This is the first of its kind.
This is the first of its kind. I think for those of us who know
I think for those of us who know alex and understand climbing, in
alex and understand climbing, in a way it can be more anxious,
a way it can be more anxious, anxiety-inducing.
Anxiety-inducing. Yeah.
Yeah. I am taking deep breaths.
I am taking deep breaths. What makes alex's approach to
what makes alex's approach to climbing so endearing to you?
Climbing so endearing to you? Alex loves climbing in all of
alex loves climbing in all of its forms, and not just free
its forms, and not just free soloing.
Soloing. I think what is special aboui think what is special about alex is he truly loves it.
Alex is he truly loves it. He truly wants to do it.
He truly wants to do it. He is so optimistic abouhe is so optimistic about everything.
Everything. Climbing with alex is one of the
climbing with alex is one of the most fun experiences ever.
Most fun experiences ever. He sees the best outcome in
he sees the best outcome in everything.
Everything. He is just having fun.
He is just having fun. He just wants everyone around
he just wants everyone around him to have fun.
Him to have fun. He always has a positive
he always has a positive attitude.
Attitude. It is endearing.
It is endearing. It is wholesome.
It is wholesome. He is a wholesome person for as
he is a wholesome person for as extreme as he is on the other
extreme as he is on the other side.
Side. Again, you are watching alex
again, you are watching alex honnold attempt -- I am
honnold attempt -- I am literally looking up at the
literally looking up at the building trying to track him.
Building trying to track him. He is coming up on the fourth
he is coming up on the fourth dragon.
Did he just say hey elle? Wow.
Wow. Every time he gets to the top
every time he gets to the top of one of those dragons.
Of one of those dragons. There he goes.
There he goes. Yes!
Yes! Alex, can you hear elle?
Alex, can you hear elle? You got me alex?
You got me alex? Can you hear elle?
Can you hear elle? Yeah.
Yeah. I can hear you.
I can hear you. I can see you.
I can see you. You can see us?
You can see us? Yeah.
Yeah. That was fun.
That was fun. I can see you too.
I can see you too. Alex, what you up to?
Alex, what you up to? I am just climbing the
I am just climbing the mountain.
Mountain. Climbing a building.
Climbing a building. You know, alex, how is the view
you know, alex, how is the view up there?
Up there? The view is amazing.
The view is amazing. I am trying to clean my shoes
I am trying to clean my shoes off so it is not too slippery.
Off so it is not too slippery. Alex, seth rollins here.
Alex, seth rollins here. What is it like having all of
what is it like having all of these people watching you do
these people watching you do this, dude?
This, dude? Honestly it is pretty
honestly it is pretty surreal.
Surreal. Everywhere I look I see people
everywhere I look I see people watching.
Watching. You are used to this type of
you are used to this type of thing, but for me it is a first.
Thing, but for me it is a first. This is incredible.
This is incredible. I know that you planned and
I know that you planned and trained that you would be
trained that you would be physically exhausted through
physically exhausted through this.
This. How is the reality matching
how is the reality matching expectation so far through the
expectation so far through the climb?
Climb? I would say I am pretty
I would say I am pretty pumped.
Pumped. It is tiring.
It is tiring. But it is way more fun.
But it is way more fun. You know you start and you are
you know you start and you are kind of nervous.
Kind of nervous. You start climbing and it is
you start climbing and it is amazing.
Amazing. It is so beautiful.
It is so beautiful. Look at taipei.
Look at taipei. So cool.
So cool. You can't see it, but the view
you can't see it, but the view up here is incredible.
Up here is incredible. We can see it from the
we can see it from the comfort of the ground thanks to
comfort of the ground thanks to our helicopter and all of our
our helicopter and all of our views.
Views. Look at that.
Look at that. A stunning shot.
A stunning shot. It is amazing.
It is amazing. Can you take a step back?
Can you take a step back? You are making me nervous.
You are making me nervous. Yeah.
Yeah. Yeah.
Yeah. I will go ahead and get back on
I will go ahead and get back on to the building.
To the building. You are freaking me out.
You are freaking me out. See you guys in a bit.
See you guys in a bit. I am going to keep cruising.
I am going to keep cruising. To the crowd.
To the crowd. To the crowd, can we try to see
to the crowd, can we try to see if we can say something to alex
if we can say something to alex to see if he can hear us from
to see if he can hear us from the 50th floor in mandarin.
The 50th floor in mandarin. Can we say cheers on the councan we say cheers on the count of three?
Of three? One, two, three.
One, two, three. Thank you guys.
Thank you guys. Yeah!
Yeah! Okay.
Okay. I am drinking some water.
I am drinking some water. Incredible.
Incredible. If you are just joining us alex
if you are just joining us alex honnold, he is making this seem
honnold, he is making this seem so fun and easy.
So fun and easy. He is so joyful.
He is so joyful. I know it was really importani know it was really important to him, emily.
To him, emily. He wanted the dread and all of
he wanted the dread and all of those things, he wanted people
those things, he wanted people to enjoy watching him enjoy the
to enjoy watching him enjoy the climb.
Climb. But this is so incredibly scary.
But this is so incredibly scary. I am supposed to use center
I am supposed to use center on this.
On this. It is scary for all of us.
It is scary for all of us. I think that it is very easy to
I think that it is very easy to put yourself in alex's position,
put yourself in alex's position, which is pretty unique for a
which is pretty unique for a sport that most of us have never
sport that most of us have never experienced.
Experienced. But a lot of us knows what ibut a lot of us knows what it feels like to stand over
feels like to stand over exposure.
Exposure. The visceral human reaction,
the visceral human reaction, your stomach flips, and you feel
your stomach flips, and you feel the height.
The height. You feel the terror in a way,
you feel the terror in a way, and you feel the consequences.
And you feel the consequences. I think the important thing to
I think the important thing to differentiate here is the risk
differentiate here is the risk versus consequences.
Versus consequences. Only alex really knows whaonly alex really knows what level of risk he is taking
level of risk he is taking because he is the one who has
because he is the one who has prepared and dedicated his
prepared and dedicated his entire life to this craft.
Entire life to this craft. I think that for him this is
I think that for him this is truly a display of his mastery.
Truly a display of his mastery. Yeah.
Yeah. He is having a good time.
He is having a good time. His positivity is a marvel to
his positivity is a marvel to me, you know.
Me, you know. It is really something
it is really something incredible.
Incredible. It is something that you jusit is something that you just have to have, I think, as an
have to have, I think, as an elite athlete to reach the level
elite athlete to reach the level of success that you want.
Of success that you want. When you are trying to do
when you are trying to do something that no other human
something that no other human being ever has done in the
being ever has done in the history of our species, you have
history of our species, you have to have that positivity.
To have that positivity. The ability to lift up other
the ability to lift up other people around you so they can
people around you so they can help lift you up.
Help lift you up. He is really a marvel, man.
He is really a marvel, man. Ahead is the most challenging
ahead is the most challenging part of the climb.
Part of the climb. He is making his way up the
he is making his way up the bamboo boxes, 900 feet of these.
Bamboo boxes, 900 feet of these. We are coming up on the tower.
We are coming up on the tower. That is made up of three of the
that is made up of three of the hardest obstacles.
Hardest obstacles. We are live across the world
we are live across the world watching alex honnold attempwatching alex honnold attempt the unthinkable, free soloing
the unthinkable, free soloing taipei 101 with no ropes.
Taipei 101 with no ropes. When I asked had him why this
when I asked had him why this building, alex, he said have you
building, alex, he said have you seen it.
Seen it. He said he loves something
he said he loves something singular that stands out from
singular that stands out from the landscape.
The landscape. It is simple and cool, and
it is simple and cool, and honestly judging by the energy
honestly judging by the energy in taipei from the amazing
in taipei from the amazing people here, the city agrees.
People here, the city agrees. In fact earlier this week the
in fact earlier this week the tower lit up with a message thatower lit up with a message that the whole world has been
the whole world has been echoing, go alex.
Echoing, go alex. There were multiple buildings
there were multiple buildings last night.
Last night. Go alex.
Go alex. Go alex.
Go alex. He has been bombarded with
he has been bombarded with nothing but love from the fans
nothing but love from the fans here.
Here. The man cannot walk anywhere
the man cannot walk anywhere without people wanting to take
without people wanting to take pictures with him.
Pictures with him. There was a traditional
there was a traditional blessing.
Blessing. Offerings were made for balance,
offerings were made for balance, protection and safe assage.
Protection and safe assage. We want all of those things.
We want all of those things. If you look at the streets righif you look at the streets right now you are going to see road
now you are going to see road closures everywhere.
Closures everywhere. There is an enormous crowd.
There is an enormous crowd. They are back from the base.
They are back from the base. That is very intentional.
That is very intentional. There is over a 3 acre exclusion
there is over a 3 acre exclusion zone around the tower.
Zone around the tower. We want to keep everybody safe.
We want to keep everybody safe. You don't have to be mark rober
you don't have to be mark rober to know something even the ze
to know something even the ze of a penny from that height can
of a penny from that height can be dangerous and even fatal.
Be dangerous and even fatal. We are in the shadow of taipei
we are in the shadow of taipei 101, close as we are allowed to
101, close as we are allowed to get.
Get. I mentioned it earlier.
I mentioned it earlier. We have cameras on every ledge
we have cameras on every ledge and crevice.
And crevice. We hacked the best view in the
we hacked the best view in the city to bring you this historic
city to bring you this historic attempt.
Attempt. Look, I have been up there
look, I have been up there today.
Today. But there is a reason that mosbut there is a reason that most of us do not want to be.
Of us do not want to be. Mark, can you explain why our
mark, can you explain why our brains start protesting the
brains start protesting the higher that we go?
Higher that we go? I am up here 1,200 feet in
I am up here 1,200 feet in the air on the 90th floor
the air on the 90th floor getting a newfound respect for
getting a newfound respect for what alex is going through.
What alex is going through. This view, I can attest, is
this view, I can attest, is absolutely terrifying.
Absolutely terrifying. From an evolutionary standpoinfrom an evolutionary standpoint the fact that it is terrifying
the fact that it is terrifying is a feature and not a bug.
Is a feature and not a bug. The humans who were not afraid
the humans who were not afraid of heights and played near the
of heights and played near the cliffs never lived long enough
cliffs never lived long enough to become anyone's ancestors.
To become anyone's ancestors. Ours did noours did not cliffs.
Cliffs. They were old enough to have
they were old enough to have babies and passed on the frady
babies and passed on the frady cat genes to us.
Cat genes to us. Also you lose your motion
also you lose your motion paralax.
Paralax. You close one eye and move your
you close one eye and move your head left to right, something
head left to right, something that is closer moves more and
that is closer moves more and farther away moves less.
Farther away moves less. When you are up here everything
when you are up here everything is so far away.
Is so far away. When he moves his head left and
when he moves his head left and right there is no motion paralax
right there is no motion paralax and your brain is missing the
and your brain is missing the feedback loop.
Feedback loop. It makes you feel woozy.
It makes you feel woozy. I can confirm up here 1,200 feei can confirm up here 1,200 feet in the air when I move my head
in the air when I move my head back and forth, that does make
back and forth, that does make you very woozy.
You very woozy. I wish I could come up with a
I wish I could come up with a more eloquent word for it.
More eloquent word for it. We will see what I attempted to
we will see what I attempted to do.
Do. The word I can think of is
the word I can think of is pukey.
Pukey. You talked about it from the top
you talked about it from the top rope.
Rope. I have been in a wrestling
I have been in a wrestling ring, climbed ladders and steel
ring, climbed ladders and steel cages.
Cages. You are looking up saying thayou are looking up saying that is not so bad.
Is not so bad. Then you start to climb.
Then you start to climb. Then you start to climb.
Then you start to climb. You get up there.
You get up there. You look down.
You look down. Everything changes.
Everything changes. Get me down.
Get me down. We are five feet on a stage.
We are five feet on a stage. I am looking down at the fine
I am looking down at the fine folks down there.
Folks down there. There it is.
There it is. Deep breath.
Deep breath. Deep breath.
Deep breath. Every time he gets to the top of
every time he gets to the top of the dragon I get fired up.
The dragon I get fired up. It is like I can take a breath,
it is like I can take a breath, right.
Right. Emily, you are a champion
emily, you are a champion climber.
Climber. Do you ever look down and say my
do you ever look down and say my god.
God. All of the time.
All of the time. I have a fear of exposure.
I have a fear of exposure. If I have not been high off of
if I have not been high off of the ground in a significanthe ground in a significant period of time, it takes
period of time, it takes reentry.
Reentry. For me the feeling of all of the
for me the feeling of all of the air under my feet is what is
air under my feet is what is most intimidating.
Most intimidating. For me it takes a while to kind
for me it takes a while to kind of get back into the groove of
of get back into the groove of being high off of the ground and
being high off of the ground and reintroduce my system to it.
Reintroduce my system to it. Alex is absolutely rolling
alex is absolutely rolling making his way through the
making his way through the bamboo boxes.
Bamboo boxes. He is making his way up to the
he is making his way up to the 60th floor.
60Th floor. In taiwanese culture --
in taiwanese culture -- stay left or center?
Stay left or center? He is even doing blocking for
he is even doing blocking for the cameras.
The cameras. This man knows tv.
This man knows tv. He gets it.
He gets it. In taiwanese culture, 60 is
in taiwanese culture, 60 is about renewal.
About renewal. On the 60th floor are mark and
on the 60th floor are mark and sanni right now.
Sanni right now. Let's check in.
Let's check in. I see.
I see. I see.
Just absolutely incredible images of taipei 101 and the
images of taipei 101 and the perspective of alex climbing on
perspective of alex climbing on it right now from one of our
it right now from one of our helicopter views.
Helicopter views. It is only getting better and
it is only getting better and better.
Better. He just passed his wife sanni
he just passed his wife sanni who never watched him free solo
who never watched him free solo something of this scale before.
Something of this scale before. She was very nervous to watch
she was very nervous to watch him do it.
Him do it. She gets a nice smile as he goes
she gets a nice smile as he goes by and a big deep sigh as he
by and a big deep sigh as he makes his way up the bamboo
makes his way up the bamboo boxes.
Boxes. That has to be incredible.
That has to be incredible. To have her here and see her
to have her here and see her face on the way up.
Face on the way up. She is shaking.
She is shaking. She is nervous.
She is nervous. That has to reinvigorate him to
that has to reinvigorate him to push him to the next level.
Push him to the next level. I know that having my wife at my
I know that having my wife at my side.
Side. The great becky lynch.
The great becky lynch. When we are there for each
when we are there for each other, I mean that support, you
other, I mean that support, you cannot put it in to words whacannot put it in to words what it means.
It means. Yeah.
Yeah. I know alex is a hero.
I know alex is a hero. I think sanni might be the true
I think sanni might be the true hero right now.
Hero right now. Truly.
Truly. That has to be so stressful.
That has to be so stressful. No fear looking over and
no fear looking over and seeing sanni's face would
seeing sanni's face would distract him as he is trying to
distract him as he is trying to concentrate?
Concentrate? No.
No. I don't think so.
I don't think so. He is too in his mode and
he is too in his mode and groove.
Groove. The climb is not trivial, but he
the climb is not trivial, but he is so well prepared for it.
Is so well prepared for it. He is really just kind of in the
he is really just kind of in the flow right now.
Flow right now. I felt like I would be in the
I felt like I would be in the flow when they asked if I would
flow when they asked if I would like to attempt something alex
like to attempt something alex would be doing on the building.
Would be doing on the building. Why not.
Why not. For sure you should dangle me 90
for sure you should dangle me 90 floors up while I attempt to do
floors up while I attempt to do the bamboo boxes.
The bamboo boxes. You know what I did?
You know what I did? I failed hard.
I failed hard. We are well over 1,000 feewe are well over 1,000 feet up here.
Up here. My god.
My god. I'm good.
I'm good. I am doing really good.
I am doing really good. Let's do it.
Let's do it. Are you ready to go over the
are you ready to go over the edge?
Edge? Let's do it.
Let's do it. Down the go.
Down the go. Elle, in a minute we are go to
elle, in a minute we are go to try climbing the dragon.
Try climbing the dragon. I don't even know how.
I don't even know how. Nice.
Nice. That is it.
That is it. It is so slippery.
It is so slippery. Really good.
Really good. No.
No. No.
No. Left hand on the left.
Left hand on the left. Yeah.
Yeah. Good.
Good. There you go.
There you go. You're on it.
You're on it. What alex does here, he gets his
what alex does here, he gets his left hand on that edge.
Left hand on that edge. Nice.
Nice. I'm exhausted.
I'm exhausted. Do you want a hand?
Do you want a hand? Thank you.
Thank you. Nice.
Nice. Really good.
Really good. That was really easy.
That was really easy. Most importantly I hope I have
most importantly I hope I have inspired alex that he can do
inspired alex that he can do this.
This. I hope that I showed him there
I hope that I showed him there is a way to -- I am going to geis a way to -- I am going to get off of the ledge.
Off of the ledge. The incredibly patient and
the incredibly patient and supportive man I was chatting
supportive man I was chatting with, waldo, the best rigger in
with, waldo, the best rigger in the world.
The world. Riggers make sure equipment and
riggers make sure equipment and people are safe when they are
people are safe when they are secure with the ropes.
Secure with the ropes. I felt safe.
I felt safe. You almost had it.
You almost had it. It was raining, seth.
It was raining, seth. Emily, I don't know how to
emily, I don't know how to climb, but it was raining and
climb, but it was raining and slippery and my hands were
slippery and my hands were absolutely worked.
Absolutely worked. What could have I done in the
what could have I done in the moment to give myself a bit of
moment to give myself a bit of relief?
Relief? The rain certainly did nothe rain certainly did not help you there.
Help you there. Thank you.
Thank you. Don't give her an out.
Don't give her an out. Come on now.
Come on now. But there are things thabut there are things that climbers do, tactics that we use
climbers do, tactics that we use in order to sort of conserve
in order to sort of conserve energy and in order to manage
energy and in order to manage what we call pump.
What we call pump. Standing on your feet more.
Standing on your feet more. Your legs are stronger than the
your legs are stronger than the arms.
Arms. They tend to be.
They tend to be. When you get your hips to the
when you get your hips to the wall really standing on your
wall really standing on your feet.
Feet. Shaking out.
Shaking out. You see alex doing it once in a
you see alex doing it once in a while.
While. Getting the blood flow back in
getting the blood flow back in there.
There. And breathing.
And breathing. Breathing.
Breathing. Breathing maybe is one of the
breathing maybe is one of the most important things.
Most important things. We often forget to breathe when
we often forget to breathe when we are in situations of stress.
We are in situations of stress. He did it.
He did it. He has taken down another of the
he has taken down another of the dragons.
Dragons. One more down.
One more down. One more down.
One more down. I want to check back in with
I want to check back in with peter woods, our play by play.
Peter woods, our play by play. We mentioned emily talking abouwe mentioned emily talking about the signs of slowing down.
The signs of slowing down. Are you seeing anything from
are you seeing anything from alex showing physically he is
alex showing physically he is starting to slow down a bit?
Starting to slow down a bit? I mean I am seeing it a
I mean I am seeing it a little bit, elle.
Little bit, elle. The pace he had at the beginning
the pace he had at the beginning was definitely getting through
was definitely getting through it and into the rhythm.
It and into the rhythm. Now he is more measured.
Now he is more measured. He wants to conserve thahe wants to conserve that energy.
Energy. Emily talked about breathing
emily talked about breathing earlier.
Earlier. You can hear him breathing and
you can hear him breathing and see him taking specific
see him taking specific movements.
Movements. You also see the muscles in the
you also see the muscles in the veins in the forearms starting
veins in the forearms starting to show.
To show. That is when you can tell he is
that is when you can tell he is getting a little pumped.
Getting a little pumped. This little heel hook caught on
this little heel hook caught on the side.
The side. Even those little things are
even those little things are helping him conserve energy.
Helping him conserve energy. This is wild, guys.
This is wild, guys. Feels like we are normalizing
feels like we are normalizing something that is not normal.
Something that is not normal. I am looking up from the
I am looking up from the desk.
Desk. I can't see him anymore.
I can't see him anymore. Sure.
Sure. That is where we are at athat is where we are at at this point.
This point. When you are so good awhen you are so good at something the way that alex is
something the way that alex is and you are so confident and
and you are so confident and prepared, you make the
prepared, you make the impossible look possible.
Impossible look possible. You make something that is
you make something that is extremely difficult and
extremely difficult and extremely dangerous look so
extremely dangerous look so easy.
Easy. But I am telling you every
but I am telling you every single time he gets to the top
single time he gets to the top of one of the dragons, my hearof one of the dragons, my heart rate slows down a little bit.
Rate slows down a little bit. Sure.
Sure. I feel like there is an
I feel like there is an element where he is safe.
Element where he is safe. The second that he takes off,
the second that he takes off, and the higher that he gets as
and the higher that he gets as he gets closer to the tower.
He gets closer to the tower. This is terrifying.
This is terrifying. I mean everything is on the
I mean everything is on the table here.
Table here. There is no room for error.
There is no room for error. Emily.
Emily. I lost music and don't have
I lost music and don't have coms or anything.
Coms or anything. That is fine if that is part of
that is fine if that is part of the plan.
The plan. Just curious if my earpiece is
just curious if my earpiece is dead.
Dead. Even stuff like that.
Even stuff like that. That is terrifying.
That is terrifying. You lost coms.
You lost coms. My music is gone.
My music is gone. Does that mess up your flow.
Does that mess up your flow. If he gets higher and the things
if he gets higher and the things come in to play, the danger
come in to play, the danger level keeps growing and growing
level keeps growing and growing and growing.
And growing. We are actually monitoring
we are actually monitoring his heart rate.
His heart rate. We talked at the beginning of
we talked at the beginning of the time.
The time. Everything is about being calm
everything is about being calm and relaxed.
And relaxed. His heart rate is climbing a bihis heart rate is climbing a bit as he continues to climb righas he continues to climb right now.
Now. Yeah.
Yeah. I would expect it to.
I would expect it to. I mean he is climbing a
I mean he is climbing a 1,600-foot tall building, and i1,600-foot tall building, and it is quite physical.
Is quite physical. As I said the climbing is noas I said the climbing is not easy.
Easy. It is not easy by anyone's
it is not easy by anyone's standards.
Standards. So of course.
So of course. He is in a rhythm.
He is in a rhythm. He is in a mode.
He is in a mode. His heart rate is escalating
his heart rate is escalating because he is doing something
because he is doing something very physical.
Very physical. You are a champion climber.
You are a champion climber. For those of you that don't know
for those of you that don't know emily quite famously became the
emily quite famously became the first woman to free climb
first woman to free climb el captain in less than 24
el captain in less than 24 hours, the golden gate route in
hours, the golden gate route in less than 24 hours.
Less than 24 hours. You understand, trail blazing,
you understand, trail blazing, pushing the boundaries.
Pushing the boundaries. Would you do this?
Would you do this? Absolutely not.
Absolutely not. No chance.
No chance. Why?
Why? Free soloing is a very unique
free soloing is a very unique sport.
Sport. It is something that noit is something that not everyone is drawn to.
Everyone is drawn to. I am not drawn to it.
I am not drawn to it. I do not want to feel thai do not want to feel that afraid.
Afraid. I do not want to have to work
I do not want to have to work through that.
Through that. I love rock climbing.
I love rock climbing. Yeah.
Yeah. It is just not something I am
it is just not something I am drawn to.
Drawn to. What is the appeal for alex?
What is the appeal for alex? There are not that many people
there are not that many people that want to do something like
that want to do something like this, and especially at this
this, and especially at this level.
Level. Yeah.
Yeah. I think it is hard to
I think it is hard to understand.
Understand. But I have heard him saying
but I have heard him saying before that he likes to be in
before that he likes to be in places that nobody has ever been
places that nobody has ever been in before.
In before. He likes being up high.
He likes being up high. I think that there is an
I think that there is an ultimate presence to free
ultimate presence to free soloing that you don't gesoloing that you don't get anywhere else in any type of
anywhere else in any type of life except when you pulife except when you put everything on the line.
Everything on the line. So to sort of being? In thaso to sort of being? In that movement flow state and being
movement flow state and being super present where literally
super present where literally nothing else matters except for
nothing else matters except for what is in front of you and the
what is in front of you and the move you are executing.
Move you are executing. I think that might be a part of
I think that might be a part of it.
It. I think that could be pretty
I think that could be pretty empowering.
Empowering. Starting to get more windy up
starting to get more windy up there.
There. Because he is reaching the
because he is reaching the top of bamboo box number eight,
top of bamboo box number eight, the final of the bamboo boxes.
The final of the bamboo boxes. Let's check back in with pete
let's check back in with pete with the play by play.
With the play by play. Really I am interested in the
really I am interested in the way he keeps tackling the
way he keeps tackling the dragons.
Dragons. It is slightly differenit is slightly different underneath or from the left or
underneath or from the left or from the right.
From the right. The traverse in gives him a bithe traverse in gives him a bit of balance when he is stemming
of balance when he is stemming across to the window ledge.
Across to the window ledge. But the traverse across the
but the traverse across the window ledge.
Window ledge. It is a much smaller platform he
it is a much smaller platform he is working through, and he does
is working through, and he does not have any of the transitional
not have any of the transitional pulling.
Pulling. He is trying to pull down on a
he is trying to pull down on a slippery surface.
Slippery surface. Around here he gets relief, buaround here he gets relief, but he does not spend long here.
He does not spend long here. Elle, we have seen it on every
elle, we have seen it on every one so far.
One so far. He turns the corner on the
he turns the corner on the rounded part of the building
rounded part of the building with the hop move.
With the hop move. My heart stops every time.
My heart stops every time. Same, brother.
Same, brother. Famously climbers like flafamously climbers like flat surfaces to stand on.
Surfaces to stand on. The dragons are curved.
The dragons are curved. You are going to notice that he
you are going to notice that he is standing in the center as
is standing in the center as much as possible and at the very
much as possible and at the very beginning he stems across,
beginning he stems across, smears a bit.
Smears a bit. Seth.
Seth. He smears in that curve, and
he smears in that curve, and that would be unnerving.
That would be unnerving. Your feet do not really feel
your feet do not really feel like they are underneath you
like they are underneath you because of the angle change.
Because of the angle change. If you are just joining us
if you are just joining us you are watching "skyscraper
you are watching "skyscraper live," the great alex honnold
live," the great alex honnold attempting to ascend 1,700 feeattempting to ascend 1,700 feet up taipei 101.
Up taipei 101. The largest urban climb in
the largest urban climb in history.
History. If he should complete it.
If he should complete it. That is what I am talking
that is what I am talking about.
About. It makes me just pause.
It makes me just pause. Just get on top of it.
Just get on top of it. Come on.
Come on. Still count if I grab the
still count if I grab the ankles?
Ankles? Still to come on his climb.
Still to come on his climb. He is going to take a bit of a
he is going to take a bit of a break.
Break. I am go to try to clean my
I am go to try to clean my shoes and fingers.
Shoes and fingers. Yeah.
Yeah. He is going to clean his shoes
he is going to clean his shoes and fingers.
And fingers. We were up on the building.
We were up on the building. He was telling us it is quite
he was telling us it is quite dirty.
Dirty. There is a bit of grease.
There is a bit of grease. That can build up on the shoes
that can build up on the shoes and the hands.
And the hands. You really want everything
you really want everything clean.
Clean. I am just cleaning my shoes
I am just cleaning my shoes for a second.
Did you see the signs? Alex taking a fiesta,
alex taking a fiesta, cleaning his shoes and fingers.
Cleaning his shoes and fingers. The building famously for new
the building famously for new years has the huge fireworks
years has the huge fireworks display and explains some of the
display and explains some of the residual could be on the
residual could be on the building.
Building. He continues to make his ascent.
He continues to make his ascent. Still ahead is the tower.
Still ahead is the tower. Yeah.
Yeah. Yeah.
Yeah. My headset is dead.
My headset is dead. Should I swap it or do anything?
Should I swap it or do anything? The tower comprises of the
the tower comprises of the overhangs, the rings and the
overhangs, the rings and the spire.
Spire. We will walk you through those
we will walk you through those as we get closer.
As we get closer. You can see the signs on the
you can see the signs on the building.
Building. Yeah.
Yeah. I can hear them.
I can hear them. Can they hear
google floor is so psyched. It is crazy.
It is crazy. It is not just the google
it is not just the google floor, alex.
Floor, alex. Everybody is psyched.
Everybody is psyched. We are all fired up.
We are all fired up. This is the perfect city for
this is the perfect city for alex's historic climb.
Alex's historic climb. The moment he arrived in taiwan
the moment he arrived in taiwan the fans came out in droves.
The fans came out in droves. You want to put my tunes back
you want to put my tunes back on.
On. Fear is an ever-present parfear is an ever-present part of climbing.
Of climbing. Particular free soloing,
particular free soloing, climbing without a rope.
Climbing without a rope. If you fall you are going to
if you fall you are going to die.
Die. Obviously that is scary.
Obviously that is scary. Free soloing is one of the mosfree soloing is one of the most dangerous sports in the world.
Dangerous sports in the world. Very few elite climbers are
very few elite climbers are willing to risk everything to
willing to risk everything to climb without ropes.
Climb without ropes. I just don't want to die, you
I just don't want to die, you know.
Know. That is the main thing.
That is the main thing. Of course.
Of course. He is a really good climber.
He is a really good climber. He will be fine if he gets
he will be fine if he gets pacific northwest paspacific northwest past the scariness.
The scariness. I don't recommend anyone
I don't recommend anyone trying this.
Trying this. I definitely experienced
I definitely experienced moments of real fear soloing,
moments of real fear soloing, but I have gotten better abut I have gotten better at managing it.
Managing it. The best way to handle the scary
the best way to handle the scary moments is to think rationally
moments is to think rationally about the situation that you are
about the situation that you are in.
In. Try to take deep breaths and
try to take deep breaths and compose yourself and make the
compose yourself and make the best decisions.
Best decisions. When it goes right, it is
when it goes right, it is probably the best feeling that I
probably the best feeling that I experience in climbing.
Experience in climbing. It is probably the best feeling
it is probably the best feeling that I experience in life.
That I experience in life. Seth, when people found out I
seth, when people found out I would be doing this projecwould be doing this project there were three words that kepthere were three words that kept coming up.
Coming up. Is he crazy.
Is he crazy. The answer is yes.
The answer is yes. Is it though?
Is it though? Emily, listen, is he crazy?
Emily, listen, is he crazy? He is an adrenaline junkie with
he is an adrenaline junkie with a death wish.
A death wish. He is built wrong.
He is built wrong. His brain is broken.
His brain is broken. Let me put an epilogue on
let me put an epilogue on that.
That. He is crazy, but I get it.
He is crazy, but I get it. I get it.
I get it. I understand the desire to wani understand the desire to want to do something that nobody else
to do something that nobody else has ever done.
Has ever done. I understand the drive.
I understand the drive. There is something in him thathere is something in him that pushes him to be greater, to do
pushes him to be greater, to do something different.
Something different. To make your mark on history.
To make your mark on history. Yes.
Yes. He is crazy.
He is crazy. Look.
Look. Look at him.
Look at him. He is so high up there.
He is so high up there. You can't even see him from down
you can't even see him from down here, but I get it.
Here, but I get it. I get it.
I get it. I understand it.
I understand it. You put it perfectly.
You put it perfectly. I think one of the mosi think one of the most misunderstood things about free
misunderstood things about free soloing and probably abousoloing and probably about climbing in general is the
climbing in general is the adrenaline.
Adrenaline. Aim high and find a way.
Aim high and find a way. I will do my best.
I will do my best. That is it, baby.
That is it, baby. I get that.
I get that. When you are feeling
when you are feeling adrenaline when you are free
adrenaline when you are free soloing, something has generally
soloing, something has generally gone wrong.
Gone wrong. It is search a long process.
It is search a long process. He has been on the wall for an
he has been on the wall for an hour now.
Hour now. You can't have adrenaline the
you can't have adrenaline the whole time.
Whole time. That means something has gone
that means something has gone wrong.
Wrong. That means it is about being
that means it is about being calm.
Calm. It is about moving with flow.
It is about moving with flow. It is about mastering your
it is about mastering your craft.
Craft. That is exactly what he is
that is exactly what he is doing.
Doing. Yes, alex feels fear.
Yes, alex feels fear. He understands how to manage ihe understands how to manage it as he said.
As he said. It is a process.
It is a process. It takes decades of preparation
it takes decades of preparation and training to get to this
and training to get to this point.
Point. Particularly when you are
particularly when you are starting to wear down and when
starting to wear down and when you are tired and you have to
you are tired and you have to push through.
Push through. Seth, you know that.
Seth, you know that. It is the repetition, over and
it is the repetition, over and over and over doing the same
over and over doing the same move over and over.
Move over and over. Yes.
Yes. And that can find you in a
and that can find you in a really precarious situation
really precarious situation where you have to push through.
Where you have to push through. That is extremely difficult,
that is extremely difficult, but the thing is that you
but the thing is that you prepare for the suffering.
Prepare for the suffering. You prepare for that.
You prepare for that. In some ways you embrace the
in some ways you embrace the pain.
Pain. You know what to expect.
You know what to expect. He has trained countless hours
he has trained countless hours on the wall in the gym to feel
on the wall in the gym to feel the way he is going to feel
the way he is going to feel right now as he is approaching
right now as he is approaching the very top of the tower.
The very top of the tower. He understands what that feels
he understands what that feels like.
Like. In some ways when it comes, iin some ways when it comes, it is a welcome warm blanket.
Is a welcome warm blanket. Now here we are.
Now here we are. Now we are at the point where I
now we are at the point where I trained for this.
Trained for this. I know I can push myself pasi know I can push myself past this.
This. On the other side of this, this
on the other side of this, this crazy, insane feeling,
crazy, insane feeling, greatness.
Greatness. It is something that nobody has
it is something that nobody has ever done.
Ever done. I definitely had preconceived
I definitely had preconceived notions, right.
Notions, right. I am watching him do this.
I am watching him do this. He is a wildly sensible person.
There is the bark. The bark is back, baby.
The bark is back, baby. He gets up there and it is so
he gets up there and it is so nice.
Nice. It is a nice feeling.
It is a nice feeling. Alex making his way up the
alex making his way up the bamboo boxes.
Bamboo boxes. Taking a bit of a break.
Taking a bit of a break. Still ahead is the tower with
still ahead is the tower with the overhangs, the rings and
the overhangs, the rings and then the spire.
Then the spire. How many dragons does he have
how many dragons does he have left?
Left? Just one.
Just one. Just one.
Just one. The crux, the hardest part of
the crux, the hardest part of the climb, he is almost through
the climb, he is almost through that.
That. As a climber, now I am almosas a climber, now I am almost done with the hardest part of
done with the hardest part of this.
This. You are almost done with the
you are almost done with the hardest part of this, is there a
hardest part of this, is there a level of excitement you are
level of excitement you are almost in the homestretch?
Almost in the homestretch? I think you can allow
I think you can allow yourself some level of
yourself some level of excitement, but it is not over
excitement, but it is not over until it is over.
Until it is over. There can be multiple cruxes,
there can be multiple cruxes, actually.
Actually. You can have a main crux, and a
you can have a main crux, and a crux that comes towards the end
crux that comes towards the end resulting from fatigue.
Resulting from fatigue. I don't think the top will be
I don't think the top will be easy.
Easy. He can allow himself some
he can allow himself some excitement for sure, but he will
excitement for sure, but he will have to stay focused.
Have to stay focused. Alex said the hardesalex said the hardest discipline is not letting your
discipline is not letting your brain arrive before your body
brain arrive before your body does.
Does. The moment you think I'm
the moment you think I'm finished, you stop climbing the
finished, you stop climbing the way that you need in order to be
way that you need in order to be successful.
Successful. He is successfully tackling the
he is successfully tackling the last of the bamboo boxes in whalast of the bamboo boxes in what would be the last of the dragon.
Would be the last of the dragon. Let's check in with peter woods.
Let's check in with peter woods. I am watching mostly his
I am watching mostly his feet.
Feet. Every smear in the long windows.
Every smear in the long windows. He has to smear twice.
He has to smear twice. There is a little bit of a slip
there is a little bit of a slip every time.
Every time. As you were talking abouas you were talking about earlier, there is no bite back.
Earlier, there is no bite back. The steel, no matter how good
the steel, no matter how good the boot rubber is, there is a
the boot rubber is, there is a tiny slide.
Tiny slide. He manages that by squeezing.
He manages that by squeezing. You can see the left foot, steps
you can see the left foot, steps up, slides down.
Up, slides down. Elle, he is moving well.
Elle, he is moving well. Confidently, shifting the focus
confidently, shifting the focus left and right around the
left and right around the corner.
Corner. The little heel hooks.
The little heel hooks. He is cleaning his hands.
He is cleaning his hands. These tell me he is in complete
these tell me he is in complete control.
Control. Who you about the heat?
Who you about the heat? This is the warmest it has been.
This is the warmest it has been. Is there any indication that the
is there any indication that the heat, the sun itself might play
heat, the sun itself might play a role in how he is climbing
a role in how he is climbing this thing, pete?
This thing, pete? I saw him.
I saw him. He rolled his pants up twice.
He rolled his pants up twice. That is not going to do a lot to
that is not going to do a lot to offset the heat, but the metal
offset the heat, but the metal is going to get warmer.
Is going to get warmer. That will make his hands sweathat will make his hands sweat more.
More. You might see him chalking up
you might see him chalking up more.
More. Every time he tucks the heel
every time he tucks the heel hook on the edge, he wipes the
hook on the edge, he wipes the hands on the pants.
Hands on the pants. That is something climbers are
that is something climbers are used to.
Used to. That wipe there gets a bit of
that wipe there gets a bit of the surface moisture, oil and
the surface moisture, oil and grease off.
Grease off. Gets the dryness back together.
Gets the dryness back together. He is managing it very, very
he is managing it very, very well.
Well. Definitely he is feeling the
definitely he is feeling the heat.
Heat. When you get hot, you get tired.
When you get hot, you get tired. Emily, I hung out with you
emily, I hung out with you all week.
All week. A micro shake.
A micro shake. What is he doing there?
What is he doing there? He is taking a little brief
he is taking a little brief rest.
Rest. Flick of the wrist, shake of the
flick of the wrist, shake of the hand.
Hand. That will help get a bit of
that will help get a bit of blood flow back into his
blood flow back into his forearms.
Forearms. If you are just joining us,
if you are just joining us, you are watching alex honnold
you are watching alex honnold attempt to free solo, no ropes,
attempt to free solo, no ropes, no harnesses, no parachutes,
no harnesses, no parachutes, free solo taipei 101.
Free solo taipei 101. Nearly 1,700 feet.
Nearly 1,700 feet. You know this building.
You know this building. This has been the main character
this has been the main character in every skyline shot of the
in every skyline shot of the city.
City. Fireworks and postcards and
fireworks and postcards and movies.
Movies. It is a symbol of what humans
it is a symbol of what humans can build, but today it is the
can build, but today it is the villain.
Villain. Alex is trying to conquer this
alex is trying to conquer this villain.
Villain. Can he do it as we get closer to
can he do it as we get closer to the most arduous part of the
the most arduous part of the climb.
All right. I want to formally introduce you
I want to formally introduce you to my children's favorite member
to my children's favorite member of the team, mark rober.
Of the team, mark rober. He makes science incredibly fun
he makes science incredibly fun as the star of crunch labs, a
as the star of crunch labs, a show you can see on netflix.
Show you can see on netflix. If you want your science
if you want your science unpredictable, wild and crazy
unpredictable, wild and crazy mark rober is your guy.
Mark rober is your guy. Standing by right now on the
standing by right now on the observe
observe observe -- observation deck with
observe -- observation deck with sanni.
Sanni. Here is alex.
Here is alex. You can see him right here.
You can see him right here. We are on the 89th floor.
We are on the 89th floor. We are trying to keep a reverenwe are trying to keep a reverent hush not to break his
hush not to break his concentration.
Concentration. Oh, gosh.
Wow. The observation deck is going
the observation deck is going off.
Wow. My
wow. That is not something that you
that is not something that you feel like you are supposed to
feel like you are supposed to see.
See. What did you guys think?
What did you guys think? Wow.
Wow. I am here with tina.
I am here with tina. I heard when he was up here you
I heard when he was up here you said --
said -- communication may be dead.
Communication may be dead. How are you feeling now?
How are you feeling now? I am go to throw up.
I am go to throw up. Tina, you are a climber.
Tina, you are a climber. Elle, I can't hear you guys
elle, I can't hear you guys anymore.
Anymore. Maybe I got too high.
Maybe I got too high. I'm so psyched.
I'm so psyched. I did get very pumped.
I did get very pumped. Monumental.
Monumental. Listen to tool has a little bilisten to tool has a little bit to do with that.
To do with that. We have matt here.
We have matt here. Matt, you are a local.
Matt, you are a local. You lived in taiwan for 20
you lived in taiwan for 20 years.
Years. 20 Years.
20 Years. I'm american.
I'm american. I have been here 20 years.
I have been here 20 years. Very active in the climbing
very active in the climbing community.
Community. All right.
All right. We are going to throw it up to
we are going to throw it up to alex.
Alex. I think he is taking a rest.
I think he is taking a rest. Alex, can you hear me?
Alex, can you hear me? Yeah.
Yeah. I can hear.
I can hear. I can hear you now.
I can hear you now. I can still see you.
I can still see you. That is so cool.
That is so cool. We cannot see you.
We cannot see you. We can't.
We can't. You are gone, sir.
You are gone, sir. You are up there, sir.
You are up there, sir. I just heard you, alex.
I just heard you, alex. Because I spent time with you, I
because I spent time with you, I know you saying I am pumped is
know you saying I am pumped is not necessarily a good thing.
Not necessarily a good thing. How are you feeling physically?
How are you feeling physically? Good.
Good. I am tired for sure.
I am tired for sure. But that felt great.
But that felt great. I tried to go slow and steady.
I tried to go slow and steady. What is going through your
what is going through your mind as you are climbing this?
Mind as you are climbing this? I am trying to pace myself.
I am trying to pace myself. Slow and steady, nice and
slow and steady, nice and smooth.
Smooth. It is quite windy.
It is quite windy. I don't know if you can tell,
I don't know if you can tell, but on the corner it is getting
but on the corner it is getting the brunt of the wind in places.
The brunt of the wind in places. I am trying not to be buffeted
I am trying not to be buffeted and to take my time and to
and to take my time and to appreciate the view.
Appreciate the view. It is so crazy.
It is so crazy. The city, what a beautiful day.
The city, what a beautiful day. Okay.
Okay. I was going to say, alex, you
I was going to say, alex, you talked about it.
Talked about it. Emily talked about it.
Emily talked about it. Free soloing is usually a
free soloing is usually a solitary sport.
Solitary sport. What is it like climbing paswhat is it like climbing past people's faces while they take
people's faces while they take selfies with you and wave?
Selfies with you and wave? It is different than my usual
it is different than my usual free soloing experience, but we
free soloing experience, but we are all sharing the crazy
are all sharing the crazy experience together.
Experience together. Especially the people inside the
especially the people inside the building.
Building. They will probably never think
they will probably never think of their window the same way.
Of their window the same way. Totally going to transform their
totally going to transform their experience in the building.
Experience in the building. Certainly cool to watch you
certainly cool to watch you do it.
Do it. You completed the bamboo boxes,
you completed the bamboo boxes, the majority of the climb.
The majority of the climb. Now you are coming up on the
now you are coming up on the tower, arguably the hardestower, arguably the hardest obstacle.
Obstacle. Between the overhangs and the
between the overhangs and the rings and the spire.
Rings and the spire. He is taking a look up.
He is taking a look up. What are you thinking?
What are you thinking? What is your approach?
What is your approach? Just saying the same things.
Just saying the same things. I will try to go slow and
I will try to go slow and steady.
Steady. The wind is more of a factor up
the wind is more of a factor up here.
Here. No.
No. I feel okay.
I feel okay. I will pace myself and I will
I will pace myself and I will try to have a good time.
Try to have a good time. Another question, did you
another question, did you ever get your music back in your
ever get your music back in your ears my man?
Ears my man? I did get my music back.
I did get my music back. I don't know how it is being
I don't know how it is being controlled, but it makes me
controlled, but it makes me happy.
Happy. You need the tunes.
You need the tunes. I feel you on that.
I feel you on that. We want you to have
we want you to have everything you need to
everything you need to accomplish the last part of the
accomplish the last part of the climb.
Climb. We know you said it, alex, you
we know you said it, alex, you don't ever take your foots off
don't ever take your foots off of the brakes when it comes to a
of the brakes when it comes to a climb.
Climb. It is about full and total
it is about full and total concentration.
Concentration. Yeah.
Yeah. Certainly every move matters.
Certainly every move matters. I will take my time and make
I will take my time and make sure that I climb well.
Sure that I climb well. With that I feel like I should
with that I feel like I should carry on and keep going while I
carry on and keep going while I am all warmed up and psyched and
am all warmed up and psyched and ready.
Ready. All right.
All right. We are ready to watch you.
We are ready to watch you. Get it.
Get it. Get it, alex.
Get it, alex. Let's go.
Let's go. See you guys on the top.
See you guys on the top. Let's go.
Let's go. Bye everybody.
Bye everybody. Stay strong, dude.
Stay strong, dude. Now I am going to jump over
now I am going to jump over the crane.
The crane. Now I am going to jump over
now I am going to jump over the crane.
The crane. You know, totally normal.
You know, totally normal. If you are just joining us you
if you are just joining us you are watching "skyscraper live,"
are watching "skyscraper live," alex honnold, the greatest free
alex honnold, the greatest free soloist in history attempt to
soloist in history attempt to summit taipei 101 without ropes.
Summit taipei 101 without ropes. He has completed huge obstacles,
he has completed huge obstacles, the slabs, the ruyi, the bamboo
the slabs, the ruyi, the bamboo boxes and the dragons.
Boxes and the dragons. Incredible.
Incredible. Come on, now.
Come on, now. Now he is about to reach the
now he is about to reach the most challenging part of the
most challenging part of the day, the section we have been
day, the section we have been anxious about.
Anxious about. It is called the tower.
It is called the tower. He will meet the first overhang.
He will meet the first overhang. Earlier I spoke with alex and
earlier I spoke with alex and found out to conquer those ifound out to conquer those it will take literally everything
will take literally everything he has got.
He has got. The overhangs.
The overhangs. Alex's next big test comes aalex's next big test comes at just over 1,400 feet.
Just over 1,400 feet. This point you climbed as
this point you climbed as tall as the empire state
tall as the empire state building, and now you are
building, and now you are dealing with the overhangs.
Dealing with the overhangs. The challenge is that you are
the challenge is that you are hanging your body weight from
hanging your body weight from these big ledges.
These big ledges. You are literally dangling.
You are literally dangling. Okay.
Okay. Show me what exactly you are
show me what exactly you are training for.
Training for. Slightly dynamic pull-up.
Slightly dynamic pull-up. You know, stuff like that.
You know, stuff like that. That is a lot of thrust.
That is a lot of thrust. Upper body strength will be
upper body strength will be key in the overhangs.
Key in the overhangs. Will alex continue or will he
will alex continue or will he tapout?
Tapout? Like so many of the features
like so many of the features of the building, the overhangs
of the building, the overhangs are functional.
Are functional. They service a purpose.
They service a purpose. Today it is to stop alex before
today it is to stop alex before reaching the ascent.
Reaching the ascent. Why is this section so
why is this section so concerning emily?
Concerning emily? It is concerning because iit is concerning because it is the steepest part.
Is the steepest part. It is steeper than the bamboo
it is steeper than the bamboo boxes.
Boxes. Alex told me that this move is
alex told me that this move is one he was the most worried
one he was the most worried about when he was scouting the
about when he was scouting the building.
Building. It is so steep.
It is so steep. He realized he could grab behind
he realized he could grab behind the security camera and reach
the security camera and reach out to the overhang above
that was unbelievable. Did he do that the way that you
did he do that the way that you thought he would do that, emily?
Thought he would do that, emily? He did pretty much exactly
he did pretty much exactly what I thought he would do.
What I thought he would do. Sometimes releasing your feet is
sometimes releasing your feet is a more efficient way to move up
a more efficient way to move up the wall.
The wall. Doing it in control is better
doing it in control is better than them flying off
than them flying off uncontrolled.
Uncontrolled. If you can tighten your core,
if you can tighten your core, get your feet up it is faster,
get your feet up it is faster, more efficient.
More efficient. He will probably do it a few
he will probably do it a few more times I would guess.
More times I would guess. This section is not as
this section is not as continuous as the bamboo boxes,
continuous as the bamboo boxes, but it is difficult because ibut it is difficult because it is more steep in some places.
This is the technical climb of the whole mountain.
You know what, I'm kind of tired.
[Music]
again, we are watching alex honnold attempt to free solo
honnold attempt to free solo 101.
101. This is the final leg of his
this is the final leg of his journey, but you just heard him
journey, but you just heard him say, man, I am tired.
Say, man, I am tired. Something he anticipated,
something he anticipated, nonetheless he is making his way
nonetheless he is making his way up the
a few hundred feet away from glory, but no ability to let up
glory, but no ability to let up just yet.
Just yet. No.
No. There is no time.
There is no time. You can acknowledge you are
you can acknowledge you are tired, but you are in the end
tired, but you are in the end game now.
Game now. Everything that happened before
everything that happened before doesn't matter.
Doesn't matter. All that matters is pushing
all that matters is pushing forward to achieve greatness.
Ready for some campusing. You heard alex to say ready
you heard alex to say ready for some campusing.
For some campusing. He is about to climb withouhe is about to climb without his feet if he is going to
his feet if he is going to indeed campus.
Indeed campus. Oh, my goodness.
This is incredible. After everything that he has
after everything that he has done to get to this point it is
done to get to this point it is unbelievable.
Unbelievable. Every superlative you can come
every superlative you can come up with.
Wow. Wow.
Wow. Wow.
Wow. Wow.
Wow. Check another box.
Check another box. Do I do anything?
Do I do anything? He has made it to the 101st
he has made it to the 101st floor and is about to be greeted
floor and is about to be greeted by our own mark rober who is
by our own mark rober who is standing by.
Standing by. Yeah, alex is just coming up
yeah, alex is just coming up over the railing.
Over the railing. He is going to keep going up.
He is going to keep going up. We are on the 101st floor.
We are on the 101st floor. Just 200 feet more to the top.
Just 200 feet more to the top. You can see we are in a
you can see we are in a backwards hat protocol situation
backwards hat protocol situation because the wind is crazy.
Because the wind is crazy. The energy is palpable.
The energy is palpable. I am here with sanni.
I am here with sanni. Sanni, you have to be feeling
sanni, you have to be feeling kind of good at this point,
kind of good at this point, right?
Right? I don't want to celebrate too
I don't want to celebrate too soon, but I am feeling a little
soon, but I am feeling a little bit of a sense of relief.
Bit of a sense of relief. So am i.
So am i. When he gets to the top, he is
when he gets to the top, he is on the spire, what do you think
on the spire, what do you think he will be thinking?
He will be thinking? He will be so psyched.
He will be so psyched. When it is done you can take iwhen it is done you can take it in and appreciate the moment and
in and appreciate the moment and appreciate the place.
Appreciate the place. Yeah.
Yeah. Fingers crossed.
Fingers crossed. All right.
All right. We are going to let sanni meewe are going to let sanni meet him once he comes down off of
him once he comes down off of the spire.
The spire. We are amped.
We are amped. We are pumped.
We are pumped. I know I took the elevator to
I know I took the elevator to get up here.
Get up here. But I am feeling it.
But I am feeling it. We got this.
We got this. Let's go.
Let's go. Back to you guys.
Back to you guys. Well, next up as you can see
well, next up as you can see them standing there for alex,
them standing there for alex, the rings.
The rings. Flat out one of his biggesflat out one of his biggest concerns.
So these rings are not random. They are inspired by ancienthey are inspired by ancient chinese coins to symbolize
chinese coins to symbolize balance and protection.
Balance and protection. When you think about it is
when you think about it is ironic, seth.
Ironic, seth. For alex they are one of the
for alex they are one of the trickiest parts of the climb.
Trickiest parts of the climb. Yeah.
Yeah. I know mark was excited being up
I know mark was excited being up there.
There. Oh, no.
Oh, no. Emily, no.
Emily, no. Why?
Why? No!
No! Emily.
Emily. He is playing with our emotions.
He is playing with our emotions. He is.
He is. It did not look secure, but iit did not look secure, but it is quite secure.
Is quite secure. That serves a purpose.
That serves a purpose. The bat hang.
The bat hang. That is a bit of a rest he
that is a bit of a rest he just took.
Just took. And again, we are watching alex.
And again, we are watching alex. This is the final leg of the
this is the final leg of the journey.
Journey. This is called the spire.
This is called the spire. And emily, this ladder here is
and emily, this ladder here is here because it is -- a bird
here because it is -- a bird can't even perch on the spire.
Can't even perch on the spire. It is physically impossible to
it is physically impossible to climb it, but don't act like the
climb it, but don't act like the ladder is anymore secure.
Ladder is anymore secure. The ladder is difficult and
the ladder is difficult and squirrely and in the wind makes
squirrely and in the wind makes it more difficuljust these stunning and sweeping views of taipei 101.
Views of taipei 101. It has been raining here all
it has been raining here all week.
Week. There has been multiple
there has been multiple earthquakes all week long.
Earthquakes all week long. We had to delay by a day.
We had to delay by a day. But alex is so close to doing
but alex is so close to doing something that he has been
something that he has been dreaming of since he was a
dreaming of since he was a child.
Child. Emily, he talked to you abouemily, he talked to you about taipei 101 when?
Taipei 101 when? When did it come in to your
when did it come in to your purview that he wanted to do
purview that he wanted to do this?
This? I heard about it maybe 12
I heard about it maybe 12 years ago that he wanted to
years ago that he wanted to climb this building and always
climb this building and always wanted to climb a skyscraper.
Wanted to climb a skyscraper. I am feeling pretty lucky to be
I am feeling pretty lucky to be witnessing it right now.
Witnessing it right now. It is history, man.
It is history, man. It is history.
It is history. Look at these views.
Look at these views. It looks like a postcard.
It looks like a postcard. It is unreal.
It is unreal. This is so beautiful.
This is so beautiful. We are witnessing history.
We are witnessing history. It is so magical.
It is so magical. People asking alex's
people asking alex's motivation for wanting to climb
motivation for wanting to climb a skyscraper without ropes live
a skyscraper without ropes live on television.
On television. He said if you're given
he said if you're given permission to climb a building
permission to climb a building you do it.
You do it. As a child he used to climb
as a child he used to climb buildings and then he became an
buildings and then he became an adult and it is ill*gal and he
adult and it is ill*gal and he didn't want to break the law.
Didn't want to break the law. Given the opportunity to do
given the opportunity to do this.
This. Ladder climb for all-time.
A reminder, this journey is not done.
Not done. This is the most difficult parthis is the most difficult part of the climb.
Of the climb. We just heard emily say it is a
we just heard emily say it is a janky ladder.
Janky ladder. He is so tired.
He is so tired. He told us 20 floors ago he is
he told us 20 floors ago he is pumped and exhausted.
Pumped and exhausted. If he wanted to he would still
if he wanted to he would still have an opportunity to tapouhave an opportunity to tapout now should he not want to
now should he not want to continue this
he's done it! Alex honnold has made history
alex honnold has made history again.
Sick!
This is windy. My earpiece disconnected so I
my earpiece disconnected so I can't hear anybody, but I can
can't hear anybody, but I can still see your table, elle,
still see your table, elle, emily and seth.
Emily and seth. I can still see you.
I can still see you. I am so psyched.
I am so psyched. It is very windy up here.
It is very windy up here. Alex, have you done it and
alex, have you done it and you made history.
You made history. This is something you imagined
this is something you imagined your entire life, and now you
your entire life, and now you are standing in it.
Are standing in it. What feelings are coming up
what feelings are coming up alex?
Alex? He is taking a selfie.
He is taking a selfie. 2026.
2026. Wow!
Wow! Look at that.
Look at that. I can hear you
this is so cool.
Okay. I will put ielle and company, I can't hear you guys.
You guys. If you can hear me, I am so
if you can hear me, I am so psyched and pretty tired
psyched and pretty tired actually.
Actually. The whole top of the building
the whole top of the building was physical and my arms were
was physical and my arms were starting to get tired.
Starting to get tired. But so amazing.
But so amazing. Alex, can you hear us?
Alex, can you hear us? Can you hear us, alex?
Can you hear us, alex? That is okay.
That is okay. We will be hearing from alex as
we will be hearing from alex as he makes his way back down the
he makes his way back down the spire.
Spire. You saw a shot there of sanni.
You saw a shot there of sanni. Again, this is a lifelong dream
again, this is a lifelong dream that is realized.
That is realized. Alex honnold is quite literally
alex honnold is quite literally standing on top of the world.
Standing on top of the world. Elle, I got emotional
elle, I got emotional watching the final climb.
Watching the final climb. I almost had tears in my eyes.
I almost had tears in my eyes. Everybody will remember where
everybody will remember where you were at the day alex honnold
you were at the day alex honnold summited taipei 101.
Summited taipei 101. It is incredible.
It is incredible. I am seeing emotion on your
I am seeing emotion on your face.
Face. Yes.
Yes. It is there.
It is there. I do have tears.
I do have tears. I did not quite know.
I did not quite know. What an experience.
What an experience. Here we are.
Here we are. So amazing.
So amazing. What emotions are coming up
what emotions are coming up for you?
For you? Why the emotions?
Why the emotions? I am so relieved.
I am so relieved. A lot of us were pretty nervous
a lot of us were pretty nervous about this.
About this. Yeah.
Yeah. It is really cool.
It is really cool. It has been amazing to be a parit has been amazing to be a part of it.
Of it. I think the sport of climbing is
I think the sport of climbing is really proud of him.
Really proud of him. Yeah.
Yeah. I am proud to know him.
I am proud to know him. Sometimes you just have to
sometimes you just have to clear things out of the way, you
clear things out of the way, you know.
Know. If you are just joining us, why,
if you are just joining us, why, you just missed an epic climb.
You just missed an epic climb. Alex honnold completing the
alex honnold completing the highest ever urban free solo.
Highest ever urban free solo. The culmination of a life's
the culmination of a life's dream.
Dream. It is so hard when you think of
it is so hard when you think of the arc of alex, right.
The arc of alex, right. He is doing this as a father
he is doing this as a father now.
Now. He is 40.
He is 40. A different life.
A different life. A different era in his life
a different era in his life since he did "free solo."
Since he did "free solo." When he did it, he did haven'when he did it, he did haven't sanni standing there waiting for
sanni standing there waiting for him to come down but he does
him to come down but he does today and mark rober is with her
today and mark rober is with her as she waits for her husband.
As she waits for her husband. Mark.
Mark. Yeah.
Yeah. I am out of goose bumps.
I am out of goose bumps. I was emotional as well.
I was emotional as well. One of our fellow species
one of our fellow species accomplish something that is
accomplish something that is just so incredible, right.
Just so incredible, right. That is once in a generational
that is once in a generational talent.
Talent. We got to witness it here today.
We got to witness it here today. This is really, really special.
This is really, really special. It is so cool.
It is so cool. It really is.
It really is. Mark, thank you so much for
mark, thank you so much for bringing the science in to all
bringing the science in to all of this.
Of this. All of the different obstacles
all of the different obstacles and challenges, not only from
and challenges, not only from the building but from the
the building but from the weather.
Weather. We did not get an earthquake
we did not get an earthquake which was great.
Which was great. We were able to hold off with
we were able to hold off with the precipitation, and now
the precipitation, and now alex -- they're laughing.
Alex -- they're laughing. I think he has earned a harness
I think he has earned a harness and maybe a boost down.
And maybe a boost down. Somebody asked how he is going
somebody asked how he is going to get off the building.
To get off the building. We are going to make him descend
we are going to make him descend it too.
It too. He is going to take an elevator
he is going to take an elevator and work his way down where he
and work his way down where he will be greeted by sanni.
Will be greeted by sanni. Just an absolutely incredible
just an absolutely incredible and an epic climb from alex
and an epic climb from alex honnold.
Honnold. If there is any reason I
if there is any reason I shouldn't start rappelling,
shouldn't start rappelling, somebody tell me right now.
Somebody tell me right now. There you
emily, how do you feel now he has a rope in the hand?
Has a rope in the hand? I am so stoked right now.
I am so stoked right now. Yeah.
Yeah. It all just went so perfectly,
it all just went so perfectly, and I am so happy.
And I am so happy. I am so happy for him.
I am so happy for him. I am so happy for everyone.
You are watching alex do another incredible feat.
Another incredible feat. How does it compare to some of
how does it compare to some of the greatest moments you have
the greatest moments you have had in your career?
Had in your career? I am fortunate to experience
I am fortunate to experience so many things in my
so many things in my preservation and travel the
preservation and travel the world and wrestle in front of
world and wrestle in front of amazing crowds and people
amazing crowds and people accomplishing incredible things.
Accomplishing incredible things. This is one of one.
This is one of one. There is nothing like it.
There is nothing like it. It may not ever be replicated.
It may not ever be replicated. Certainly it is the first time
certainly it is the first time it ever happened.
It ever happened. To be able to be here on the
to be able to be here on the edge of history watching alex
edge of history watching alex making history coming down the
making history coming down the side of this thing.
Side of this thing. It is really something special.
It is really something special. There is an emotional attribute.
There is an emotional attribute. There is something so primal and
there is something so primal and visceral.
Visceral. A feeling that you get watching
a feeling that you get watching someone accomplish a lifelong
someone accomplish a lifelong dream.
Dream. A dream of standing on top of
a dream of standing on top of the world.
The world. It is really something
it is really something incredible.
Incredible. The mastery of his sport, and
the mastery of his sport, and you know, I joked with him,
you know, I joked with him, emily, visiting his home.
Emily, visiting his home. I said if you are the michael
I said if you are the michael jordan of free soloing, maybe
jordan of free soloing, maybe you are the yoda of humility.
You are the yoda of humility. He will always downplay his
he will always downplay his accomplishments.
Accomplishments. Can you put into perspective
can you put into perspective what he means to the climbing
what he means to the climbing world?
World?
It was great. Was it?
Was it? I was worried you were too hot.
I was worried you were too hot. I was hot a little bit.
I was hot a little bit. Then I was worried it was too
then I was worried it was too windy.
Windy. You came out on the lower level
you came out on the lower level and it was so windy.
And it was so windy. It is great.
It is great. I felt good.
I felt good. Give me a tissue.
Give me a tissue. It was fast.
It was fast. I thought I was going pretty
I thought I was going pretty slow.
Slow. No.
No. You were fast.
You were fast. Oh, good.
Oh, good. Good.
Good. Having a panic attack the
having a panic attack the entire time.
Entire time. I thought I was being really
I thought I was being really chill.
Chill. I was worried.
I was worried. Did you clean your shoes.
Did you clean your shoes. Like three times.
Like three times. Cleaned my fingers a bunch of
cleaned my fingers a bunch of time.
Time. I felt great.
I felt great. You did great.
You did great. The last dragon I am going to
the last dragon I am going to miss the dragons.
Miss the dragons. It is so cool.
It is so cool. I am not going to miss the
I am not going to miss the dragons.
Dragons. Should we go down?
Should we go down? Yeah.
Yeah. Together.
Together. We will do it.
We will do it. So exciting.
So exciting. I am proud of you.
I am proud of you. Yay.
Yay. You were so calm.
You were so calm. Nice job.
Nice job. Taking the elevator.
Taking the elevator. I will lead the way.
I will lead the way. I have the stairs and the
I have the stairs and the elevators really dialed.
Elevators really dialed. Show me the stairs.
Show me the stairs. Alex, thank you so much.
Alex, thank you so much. If I told you I had a box of
if I told you I had a box of chocolate dumplings waiting for
chocolate dumplings waiting for you how quickly do you think you
you how quickly do you think you could get down?
Could get down? I am like that was high wind.
I am like that was high wind. Can we unclip?
Can we unclip? No.
No. You have to get the photos
you have to get the photos while you're up there.
While you're up there. Step over here.
Step over here. Look at this.
Look at this. You are getting the sun.
You are getting the sun. I can't see anything.
I can't see anything. This is awesome.
This is awesome. We should say hi to the kids.
We should say hi to the kids. Hi summer.
Hi summer. They are not watching.
They are not watching. Hi babies.
Hi babies. Yeah.
Yeah. They are not watching.
They are not watching. All right.
All right. And the helicopter.
And the helicopter. Heck yeah.
Heck yeah. Can you stand with them alex?
Can you stand with them alex? Okay.
Okay. Everyone say taipei 101.
Everyone say taipei 101. Yeah!
Yeah! All right.
All right. Let's go downstairs.
Let's go downstairs. You heard alex and sanni
you heard alex and sanni shoutout their daughters.
Shoutout their daughters. They are not quite 4 and 2 yethey are not quite 4 and 2 yet and maybe they don't understand
and maybe they don't understand what they just witnessed from
what they just witnessed from their father, should they be
their father, should they be watching, but alas the rest of
watching, but alas the rest of the world does.
The world does. There you have it friends
there you have it friends against gravity, fatigue and
against gravity, fatigue and everything that nature threw aeverything that nature threw at him alex honnold prevailed on a
him alex honnold prevailed on a lifelong dream sits beneath his
lifelong dream sits beneath his feet.
Feet. This is a once in a generation
this is a once in a generation moment, and we all witnessed imoment, and we all witnessed it together in real time.
Together in real time. We asked the question all day.
We asked the question all day. Why would someone do this.
Why would someone do this. Maybe the answer is not aboumaybe the answer is not about climbing at all.
Climbing at all. Most of us will never scale a
most of us will never scale a skyscraper, but we all know whaskyscraper, but we all know what it feels like to face something
it feels like to face something that seems impossible, and whathat seems impossible, and what alex showed us today is thaalex showed us today is that preparation, presence and belief
preparation, presence and belief can carry you farther than fear
can carry you farther than fear ever will.
Ever will. On behalf of seth, emily, pete,
on behalf of seth, emily, pete, mark, our entire crew, everybody
mark, our entire crew, everybody here on taipei 101 and the
here on taipei 101 and the amazing people that came to
amazing people that came to cheer alex on we say thank you
cheer alex on we say thank you so much to everyone that watched
so much to everyone that watched around the world.
Around the world. Good night from the shadow and
good night from the shadow and now the summit of a conquered
now the summit of a conquered taipei 101.
Taipei 101. Good-bye and go alex.
Good-bye and go alex. Let's go!
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Skyscraper Live (2026)
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