Alex Honnold’s Taipei 101 Live Free Solo: Expert Commentary on Risk, Representation and Media
On 23 January 2026, American climber Alex Honnold will attempt a live-streamed free solo ascent of Taipei 101, one of the world’s tallest skyscrapers, with Netflix broadcasting the climb as Skyscraper Live. Unlike his ropeless ascent of El Capitan in Free Solo, this event takes place on a man-made structure and will unfold in real time before a global audience.
The climb is likely to become one of the most widely watched moments in modern climbing. It is also a complex media event, raising questions about risk, responsibility and how climbing and adventure is framed for public consumption.
Why This Matters for Media Coverage
This event sits at the intersection of thrill, danger and storytelling. It raises important questions for editors, broadcasters and audiences:
How should risk be contextualised when a potentially fatal activity is broadcast live
What responsibility do media platforms have when presenting free soloing to a global audience
How can the deeper culture and history of climbing be communicated without reducing it to spectacle
These are themes I have explored previously in my writing on free soloing and adventure media, including work for ExplorersWeb that examined how solo climbers narratives shape public understanding.
My Availability for Commentary
I am available for expert commentary, analysis and interviews across print, broadcast and digital platforms. I can provide:
Context on free soloing, climbing culture and ethics
Insight into risk, judgement and decision making in extreme environments
Perspective on how media framing influences public perception of adventure
Whether you need background context, real-time analysis during the event, or post-climb commentary, I bring field experience and editorial perspective to help audiences understand what this moment represents.
Get in Touch
If you are planning coverage around Alex Honnold’s free solo of Taipei 101, or would like expert input on climbing, risk and adventure media, I am available for interviews and briefings.
