While Alex Honnold has long been a legend in the outdoor community for his mastery of "free soloing"-- climbing without ropes or safety gear -- he became a household name following his historic 2017 ascent of El Capitan, a feat that earned him an Academy Award and global recognition.
Now, Honnold is shifting his focus from the granite walls of the wilderness to the glass and steel of the city. In his latest and perhaps most public challenge, he is the centerpiece of the Netflix live event "Skyscraper Live," where he will attempt to scale the exterior of the 1,667-foot Taipei 101 in Taiwan. Airing live on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, the special captures Honnold as he navigates the unique geometry of one of the world's tallest buildings, once again testing his legendary composure with the eyes of the world watching in real-time.
Before the live event, get to know the famous climber.
MORE: How Alex Honnold's skyscraper free solo climb compares to Yosemite
Who is Alex Honnold?
Honnold is a world-renowned professional rock climber recognized for his mastery of "free soloing," the high-stakes practice of scaling massive walls without the use of ropes or safety equipment.
Currently, Honnold is the focus of intense public attention for his transition from natural cliffs to urban architecture. He is starring in the live Netflix special Skyscraper Live, airing Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. In this event, he will attempt to free solo the 1,667-foot Taipei 101 in Taiwan, navigating the building's unique "bamboo" segments in a two-hour live broadcast.
MORE: Ranking the best streaming sports options
How old is Alex Honnold?
Honnold is 40 years old. He was born on August 17, 1985.
In recent interviews leading up to his Taipei 101 climb, he has noted that his age has slightly shifted his perspective on preparation, remarking that as a 40-year-old, he tends to be more careful and dedicated to prep work compared to when he was in his early twenties.
My free solo ascent of Taipei 101 in Taiwan is coming up soon - and you can watch it LIVE on @netflix. January 23 @ 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT. Exciting!! Pic.twitter.com/uarDl92hAR
— Alex Honnold (@AlexHonnold) January 15, 2026
"I’ve spent 30 years climbing rock faces; this is going to be my first big handmade structure, so I’m sure it’ll feel a little different," Honnold said in late December 2025. "I'm very confident that I can climb the building, which is why I'm doing this, but I want to have a good time, I want to smile and enjoy myself."
MORE: What to know about 'Skyscraper Live' on Netflix
Why is Alex Honnold famous?
While Honnold has been a prominent figure in the climbing community for decades, he reached global fame in 2017 as the first person to free solo El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, a 3,000-foot feat documented in the Academy Award-winning film "Free Solo."
On June 3, 2017, Alex Honnold did what many thought was impossible.
— non aesthetic things (@PicturesFoIder) July 13, 2025
Without ropes. Without safety gear. He free soloed the 2,900-foot vertical face of El Capitan, climbing the legendary Freerider route in just 3 hours and 56 minutes. Pic.twitter.com/DjGL2EsNM5
He climbed the 3,000-foot Freerider route in just 3 hours and 56 minutes. The feat was described by many, including "The New York Times," as one of the greatest athletic achievements in history.
MORE: Where to watch Rolex 24 at Daytona
Is Alex Honnold still with Sanni McCandless?
Yes, Honnold and McCandless are still married. They have been together since 2015 and officially tied the knot in September 2020 in a ceremony officiated by fellow climber Tommy Caldwell. The couple has two daughters, one born in 2022 and the other in 2024.
McCandless has been mentioned frequently in the lead-up to his special on Netflix, often discussed in the context of how fatherhood and his responsibilities as a husband have influenced his approach to high-stakes climbing. Sanni also continues her own career as a life and transition coach for members of the outdoor community.
MORE: Australian Open live score, results
How does Alex Honnold make money?
Honnold earns a living through a combination of professional climbing sponsorships, media projects, and public speaking. While he famously lived in a van for over a decade on a minimal budget, his financial profile significantly changed following the success of the 2017 El Capitan ascent.
Honnold’s primary current source of income is his partnership with Netflix for the global live event. He also earns royalties and appearance fees from previous films, television cameos, and books like his memoir, "Alone on the Wall."
The climber also makes money through sponsors, like his longest-standing partnership with North Face. He has also collaborated with companies such as Range Rover, Squarespace, Citigroup, and Black Diamond.
Honnold is also a highly sought-after public speaker, represented by management teams like RXR Sports. He is frequently hired by corporate organizations to speak about risk management, focus, and his preparation process.
MORE: NHL players returns to Olympics for first time since 2014; full roster details and more
Who are the best free solo climbers?
While Honnold is the most famous today, the sport has been shaped by several who pushed the limits of what was thought possible without a rope.
Alain Robert, the "French Spider-Man," famously transitioned from rock to skyscrapers, scaling iconic structures like the Burj Khalifa. Technical boundaries were shattered by Alexander Huber, who completed one of the most complex big-wall solos ever on The Fish in the Dolomites.
The sport's foundations were laid by pioneers like John Bachar, the original soloing superstar known for his strict ethics, and Peter Croft, who revolutionized the "link-up" by climbing multiple massive faces in one day. Catherine Destivelle and Steph Davis broke significant barriers for women, with Destivelle conquering the Eiger North Face in winter and Davis becoming the first woman to solo a 5.11 grade route.
Finally, in a display of modern mastery, Jim Reynolds stunned the community in 2019 by soloing both up and down the 11,000-foot Fitz Roy in Patagonia without any equipment.
MORE: Where to watch American Express Golf
What is the difference between free solo and free climb?
The difference is simple: free climbing uses ropes for safety, while free soloing does not.
Free climbing is the umbrella term for "normal" climbing. Whether you are at a local climbing gym with a rope or scaling a mountain with a partner, if you are only using your body to move upward and the gear is there just to catch you if you fall, you are free climbing.
Free soloing is a specific, dangerous sub-type of free climbing. It means "Free" (using only hands/feet) and "Solo" (climbing alone without a rope). If you make a mistake, there is nothing to stop you from hitting the ground.
MORE: Kyrgios or Kim Jong Un? Sinner slaps Aussie with ultimate backhander during Australian Open