Google CEO Sundar Pichai has shared a rare behind-the-scenes moment from Google’s Taipei office, where employees witnessed legendary climber Alex Honnold scaling Taipei 101 without ropes or safety equipment.
Taking to Instagram, Pichai posted photographs captured by Googlers from the company’s office on the 75th floor, offering a breathtaking perspective of the historic climb.
“Last time I visited Taipei 101, I just took the elevator up — apparently there’s a different route,” Pichai wrote. “A few photos from Googlers with the ultimate view of Alex Honnold’s free solo of Taipei 101 from our office on the 75th floor. Congrats Alex on an amazing achievement.”
A Historic Free Solo Climb
Alex Honnold successfully climbed the 508-metre-tall Taipei 101 entirely rope-free, adding another milestone to a career defined by extreme discipline, precision, and mental strength. The skyscraper, named for its 101 floors, is constructed from steel, glass, and concrete and is designed to resemble a bamboo stalk, a symbol of resilience in Taiwanese culture.
The climb was originally scheduled for Saturday but was postponed due to wet weather conditions. Once conditions improved, the ascent drew global attention and was streamed live on Netflix, with a built-in broadcast delay implemented as a safety precaution.
From Yosemite to Taipei
Honnold rose to international fame after becoming the first person to free solo El Capitan in California’s Yosemite National Park — a 915-metre granite wall widely regarded as one of the most challenging climbs in the world.
His Taipei 101 ascent further cements his reputation as one of the greatest climbers of all time, capable of performing under intense physical and psychological pressure.
Global Praise for the Achievement
The climb received praise from around the world, including from Taiwan’s Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, who congratulated Honnold on social media while admitting the feat was difficult to watch due to its sheer intensity.
Sundar Pichai’s post offered a rare corporate vantage point of the event, highlighting how Google employees unexpectedly found themselves front-row witnesses to a moment of sporting history.
