Alex Honnold Soloing Taipei 101

John Tuttle wrote:

Sure dude. What price dignity?

Maybe he will use some of that undignified cash towards good in the world. It's not like he is promoting hate and imperialism or even big pharma (I wouldn't be surprised to see a Viagra or weight loss drug ad or two).

I did try and find out the $ amount unsuccessfully. 

Colin Rowe wrote:

I recently returned from EPC. Have you climbed there? Mr Honnold soloed El Sendero Luminoso. A paradigm example of exemplary climbing achievement. His intellectual and enviromental credentials are to be admired, respected and not envied. I do not believe money is his primary motivator. Fortunatey his family benefits from his entrepreneural marketing of his unique skills. In all respects I believe Mr Honnold is a very impressive man whom I admire.

His family ain't gonna benefit if he makes one mistake. You and I have very different opinions as to what is best for one's family and 2 children. A REAL plan is not doing free solos for money. Eventually it ends in tragedy. If he was "doing it for his family" he'd have a better strat than this travesty to sell caffeine water to kids.

John Tuttle wrote:You and I have very different opinions as to what is best for one's family and 2 children. 

I’ve seen this take all over the socials by dads, but mostly ones who think he’s basically about to unalive himself on purpose.

We are talking about a guy who met his wife during the filming of a major motion picture called free solo, where he adamantly expressed he was always going to do this. And he still free solos on a weekly basis in red rock canyon. I’d say getting paid millions to solo a building beneath his ability level is small fries, but so is my opinion.

He’s doing a super public stunt here so he opens himself up to criticism, but also, it’s not your family, and not your kids. I’m not a father yet.. Are you worried about the example it sets? Do you want to be right in the event that he falls? I’m interested in your position.

Alex is old news grasping for attention i personally prefer watching Lincoln Knowles. He is funny and has a personality.  

trailridge wrote:

Alex is old news grasping for attention i personally prefer watching Lincoln Knowles. He is funny and has a personality.  

I find LK totally unwatchable. 

Yeah he faked a fall and held it. With super dramatic music. 

Jabroni McChufferson wrote:

Did he do it yet?

This Friday, Jan 23. 

Marc801 C wrote:

I find LK totally unwatchable. 

I believe the kids would call it "cringe".

I'm glad to have not known who he was until last year. No Instagram or tik tok will do that and makes it easy to continue to avoid "influencers". 

trailridge wrote:

Alex is old news grasping for attention i personally prefer watching Lincoln Knowles. He is funny and has a personality.  

Pretty sure you're whoever Lincoln Knowles is by how much you're trying to push him in this thread

John Tuttle wrote:

His family ain't gonna benefit if he makes one mistake. You and I have very different opinions as to what is best for one's family and 2 children. A REAL plan is not doing free solos for money. Eventually it ends in tragedy. If he was "doing it for his family" he'd have a better strat than this travesty to sell caffeine water to kids.

I will bet you $100 he won't fall or slip at all. Its barely going to be 5th class for him. 

John Tuttle wrote:

 A REAL plan is not doing free solos for money.

If you get money for your solo, it is not free. 

The real question is how they make it interesting to watch. It won't be particularly interesting from a technical standpoint, basically the same moves from top to bottom. Not sure how the short form addicted masses will stay interested past the 10 minute mark. 

Whatever they add to up the suspense is likely to be a turn off to those of us who don't enjoy reality TV BS. 

anonymous coward wrote:

The real question is how they make it interesting to watch. 

M M wrote:

In your bubble maybe 

My mom can name 2 climbers and I'm one of them lol. Ole Horngold is about as household as it get. 

Matthew Bell wrote:

My mom can name 2 climbers and I'm one of them lol. Ole Horngold is about as household as it get. 

She probably noticed your Honnold posters all over your room? 

M M wrote:

She probably noticed your Honnold posters all over your room? 

Ah you caught me. I kiss my Mr. Handhold poster every night before bed. Really inspires me to be a better person and disregard the people that care about me for my own personal enjoyment. 

Why is your mom so familiar with Honnold?

Jes' askin'...

amarius wrote:

If you get money for your solo, it is not free. 

!!! rim shot !!!
hah - good one.

Now we need a new thread for determining whether it is correct to call them Professional Solos and Amateur Solos.
Or Free Solos that have lost their Amateur Status?

Simple:

Paid Soloing. 

He's been doing this for a very long time. (after all, baby needs a new pair of shoes)

Gift link to a NYT interview about the climb.  Article claims he is getting "in the mid six figures" for the climb. I also did a quick ctrl-F and he says "I mean" 9 times.  

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/22/us/alex-honnold-netflix-taipei.html?unlocked_article_code=1.GVA.3ZD3.WOBB8spMkr_E&smid=url-share