American Alex Honnold test climbs Taipei 101 ahead of rope-free ascent U.S. climber Alex Honnold did a test climb partway up the Taipei 101 skyscraper on Wednesday, ahead of his planned free solo ascent on Saturday, attracting a crowd. In light rain, the 40-year-old "free solo" icon used a rope and other safety equipment for the trial climb -- unlike Saturday’s scheduled ascent, which will be done without a rope. A film crew was also there to record his test climb and conduct a practice run for