Taipei: Alain Robert, famously dubbed as "the French Spider-Man," commended Alex Honnold for his meticulous preparation following Honnold's daring free solo climb of Taipei 101. The American climber successfully scaled the 508-meter skyscraper in just over ninety minutes, eschewing any safety ropes or equipment. According to Focus Taiwan, Robert expressed admiration for Honnold's accomplishment, describing it as a significant feat. In an interview conducted in French, Robert shared his affinity for the thrill associated with precarious endeavors, stating, "This is my life." The 63-year-old adventurer reminisced about his own climb of Taipei 101 in December 2004, which took him approximately four hours to complete using ropes. Robert assessed the difficulty of scaling Taipei 101, placing it between 6.5 and 7 on a one-to-10 scale. Despite having conquered more challenging structures such as Chicago's Sears Tower, now Willis Tower, he fondly recalled his achievement on Taipei 101, noting the building's aesthet ic appeal and stunning views. He elaborated that climbing difficulty is not solely determined by a building's height but by factors such as surface conditions, foothold sizes, and design of the facade. During his 2004 climb, adverse weather conditions and a recent elbow injury added to the challenge. Robert reflected on the human instinct of fearing heights, but for him, climbing evokes a sense of freedom rather than fear. He concluded, "I am not afraid of death," revealing that his true apprehension lies in the prospect of "boredom."
French ‘Spider-Man’ Praises Honnold’s Daring Taipei 101 Climb
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