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Alex Honnold has taken on one of the most controversial and high-profile climbs of his career with a free solo ascent of Taipei 101 in Taiwan.
The American climber scaled the 1,667 foot skyscraper without ropes as part of a live global Netflix broadcast titled "Skyscraper Live".
The ascent marked a sharp departure from the remote granite walls that defined Honnold's rise to fame. Instead of natural rock, he navigated steel and glass, using architectural ledges and exterior corners as his primary holds.
Honnold has explained that the building's design includes potential bailout points that are not available on sheer cliff faces like El Capitan.
The project sparked debate within the climbing community. Some critics viewed the climb as an overly commercial spectacle, while others saw it as a rare opportunity that required extensive institutional permission.
Honnold has maintained that the climb aligned with his long held approach to preparation and calculated risk.
Unlike many of his earlier ascents, the Taipei 101 climb placed Honnold under constant public scrutiny.
The live format transformed a traditionally private discipline into a global media event, highlighting how his career has evolved beyond the climbing world alone.
Alex Honnold's net worth
Alex Honnold has an estimated net worth of $2 million. While modest compared to athletes in mainstream professional sports, the figure reflects the financial realities of elite climbing rather than a lack of achievement.
Honnold first reached global prominence after his free solo ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, scaling the 3,000 foot wall without ropes or safety equipment.
The climb was documented in the Academy Award winning film "Free Solo", which introduced his calm, analytical mindset to a worldwide audience.
Despite the scale of the Netflix project, Honnold has said he is not paid for the physical act of climbing itself.
His income from the event came from media production and broadcast rights, with reported compensation in the mid six figures, which he has described as modest.
Beyond high profile climbs, Honnold earns income through books, speaking engagements and partnerships with outdoor brands.
He also runs the Honnold Foundation, which supports solar energy projects in underserved communities.
Now balancing family life with a highly visible career, Honnold continues to navigate the tension between extreme ambition and public responsibility.