Free-soloing or climbing alone without using harnesses or other safety equipment, is the most challenging form of rock climbing. In recent years, free soloing exploded in popularity after Alex Honnold revolutionized the sport, scaling Yosemite in record time. Like Honnold, another climber nicknamed ‘The French Spider-Man’ also revolutionized free soloing by taking the sport to the urban jungle. The Frenchman, who made a career out of climbing skyscrapers, scaled one of Dubai’s tallest buildings.

Alain Robert climbed the 75-story Cayan Tower in 2015. While Robert climbs rock faces, his call to fame came after climbing some of the tallest skyscrapers in the world. When Robert scaled the 75-story building in 2015, he was 52.

Pushing the limits of urban climbing

In 2015, The Human Spider climbed the 75-story skyscraper with nothing but some powdered chalk and sticky tape. Alain Robert used the chalk to help find a grip on the smooth metal panels. He also used sticky tape to protect the tips of his fingers from cuts or scrapes. The then-52-year-old scaled the 1,007-foot-high skyscraper in just over an hour. Associated Press captured footage of the historic climb.

Alain Robert has had a long free-soloing and urban climbing career. The French Spider-Man has scaled multiple skyscrapers in Dubai, including the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa in 2011. However, he used a safety harness at the request of the organizers of the climb. Like his 2015 Cayan Tower climb, it was also a legal climb.

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However, The Human Spider has also climbed many structures not so legally. Robert has been detained, arrested, and fined by authorities numerous times because of unsanctioned climbs. Among his most famous climbs that landed Robert in jail was the 2008 New York Times Building climb. Police arrested the Frenchman after he descended.

The rock climbing legend is still going strong

In 2022, Alain Robert turned 60. However, the rock climber has shown no signs of slowing down. Robert climbed the Tour Total in Paris to celebrate his 60th birthday. The urban climber is also active on social media, where he posts clips of his famous climbs.

Besides climbing superstructures, Alain Robert also continues to climb challenging rock faces. Recently the 60-year-old climbed Verdon Gorge in France. Climbing photographer Samuel Bie filmed the event. According to Robert, his climb will feature in an upcoming documentary.

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What do you think about Alain Robert and his urban climbing exploits? Write your thoughts in the comments.