alex honnold
20:00 Thursday, 5 February 2026
Last month, free solo star Alex Honnold stunned the world with a rope-free climb of Taipei 101 — a 101-story skyscraper in Taiwan — broadcast globally on Netflix. But beyond the sheer physical feat, Honnold also drew attention in the music world: he soundtracked the ascent himself, curating a playlist largely made up of Tool tracks.
Speaking to Variety, Honnold explained that his playlist wasn't just motivational; it also helped him maintain a steady pace during the climb.
"It was mostly Tool. It's a random playlist that I made, that I shared with production. I made it months ago while I was driving. I've been training to it a bunch. Basically, rock music that I've liked my whole life. Part of the appeal of music is that actually it helps me with pacing.
"Each bamboo box had been taking me about five to six and a half minutes. I just know how long the songs are. So it gives you a sense of if you're going fast or slow. But in this case, it all kept cutting out anyway, and I couldn't really hear and I was kind of like, 'Whatever. I'm just doing my thing.'"
Honnold's "T101" playlist has since been shared online, and it does not skimp on Tool cuts. Opening with "Forty Six & 2" from the band's multi-platinum sophomore album Ænima, the playlist also includes tracks from Fear Inoculum ("Invincible" & "Pneuma") and four songs from Lateralus ("The Grudge", "Lateralus", "Schism", "Parabola").
Other notable selections highlight Honnold's taste for intense, rhythmically driven rock and metal:
- Nothing More – six tracks featured
- Linkin Park – "The Emptiness Machine" & "Papercut"
- The Used – "Men Are All The Same" & "Hands And Faces"
- Chevelle – "Rabbit Hole – Cowards, Pt. 1"
- Senses Fail – "Choke On This"
- The Offspring – "Session"
Check it out below!
