Last month, rock climber Alex Honnold completed a historic free solo ascent of the Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taiwan, reaching a height of 1,667 feet without ropes or equipment. The climb was livestreamed on Netflix.
A Soundtrack for the Ascent
Honnold has since revealed the playlist he listened to during the climb, which was heavily influenced by the band Tool. The playlist includes multiple tracks from Tool’s albums Ænima (1996), Lateralus (2001), and Fear Inoculum (2019). Other artists featured on the playlist include Senses Fail, Chevelle, the Used, Linkin Park, and Nothing More.
Reaction from Tool’s Frontman
Maynard James Keenan, frontman for Tool, responded to the news of Honnold’s musical choice during the climb. He jokingly stated, “Not everybody and their mother texted me every three seconds telling me about it or anything.”
Keenan also commented on the climb itself, acknowledging its impressiveness while expressing his own limitations: “What the heck were you thinking, dude? It’s impressive! It’s extremely impressive, but, I mean, I wouldn’t make it past the first floor. I would fall to my death.” He playfully suggested his role in any future endeavors would be as a spectator, stating, “I’ll be the guy down below eating french fries making fun of him.”
Honnold discussed the experience on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Monday.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the height of the Taipei 101 climb?
The climb reached a height of 1,667 feet.
Who is Maynard James Keenan?
Maynard James Keenan is the frontman for the band Tool, which comprised a significant portion of the playlist Honnold listened to during the climb.
Where did Alex Honnold discuss the climb after the event?
Alex Honnold discussed the experience on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Monday.
It remains to be seen what challenge Honnold may undertake next, but given his history, it is likely to push the boundaries of what is considered possible in the world of free solo climbing.
