Alex Honnold successfully free soloed Taipei 101 on January 25, 2026, captivating viewers worldwide via Netflix's live broadcast. The big question on everyone's mind—how he got down—was far less dramatic than the ascent.

The Descent Method

After summiting the 1,667-foot skyscraper's spire, Honnold prioritized safety over spectacle. He donned a harness, rappelled down a rope to a lower staging or observation area, then took the building's elevator to the ground.

This practical approach contrasted sharply with his rope-free climb, which took about 90 minutes amid wind and fatigue. As one report notes, the peril ended instantly upon reaching the top, thanks to Taipei 101's internal access points designed for maintenance.

Why Not Free Solo Down?

Free soloing down the exact route would have been exponentially riskier due to gravity, exhaustion, and the building's design—think awkward angles, protruding features, and no margin for error. Honnold's philosophy focuses thrill on the ascent; descent is about efficiency and survival.

Safety gear for the return was pre-planned, surprising some viewers expecting prolonged drama. His wife awaited at the staging area, adding a human touch to the high-stakes event.

Forum Buzz and Reactions

Online discussions exploded, especially on Reddit, with users fixating on the anticlimactic drop.

"How did he get down?!" – Common refrain in r/taiwan and r/news threads.

  • Commenters joked about the "janky" ladder section near the top, calling it hilariously precarious.
  • Many griped about repetitive commentary overlapping Honnold's summit chat.
  • Fans praised the rapid shift from life-or-death grip to casual elevator ride: "One minute exposed to elements, next waiting for doors to shut."

Threads hit 12,000+ upvotes, blending awe, anxiety, and memes about his non- dramatic finale.

Event Context

This wasn't Honnold's first urban feat—he echoed Alain Robert's 2004 climb but went ropeless, a first. Delayed a day by weather, it drew global eyes, with Honnold later calling it "very safe" for a pro.

Trending Takeaway : The climb trended as viral news, sparking debates on risk vs. reality in extreme sports.

TL;DR : Rappel + elevator—simple, safe, and smart.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.