Climbing a Skyscraper Without Ropes | Rites of Passage

VICE joins French Free Solo Climber, Alexis Landot, as he prepares for his hardest climb yet, The Mercury Tower in Paris, and learns why he climbs and how free soloing skyscrapers brings him peace amid the many stressors and sources of anxiety in his day.
Drone Footage provided by: Corto Frisch Ta Minh & Valentin Arcaniss
00:00 Intro
01:29 Meet Alexis
06:04 The French Spiderman
08:26 Alexis's First Climb
11:20 Scouting the Next Climb
12:51 The Parkour Scene
15:33 It's Not Technically Illegal
18:00 The Climb
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[@AlexisLandot]

Thanks VICE for following me in this journey ! It was a pleasure ! 🔥

[@elpojoloco339]

Trop chaud mec 😎

[@mitjacoolman6604]

How do you get down from there?

[@AlexisLandot]

@@mitjacoolman6604 I use the stairs :)

[@Realdanielvisuals]

U the man keep livin life

[@wabisabi7755]

Very sexy armpits 😍

[@corrosivesprings9526]

I was a high rise window cleaner, hanging off of sky scrapers with nothing but a rope and a little wooden seat. I know from experience that those little metal frames he’s putting his feet on can easily fall off if they’re not installed correctly. I’ve seen them fall by barley touching them with my swinging foot. Idk if the ones on this building are installed differently than the ones I’m thinking off but regardless. I would never trust somebody else building something correctly with my life. People always told me I must have balls for doing the window cleaning, but no. I had a back up line attached to my harness. This guys the one with no fear

[@ephre]

I was thinking the exact same thing, when he's holding on to that cladding, big mistake.

[@Grizzle_Uno]

How much do they pay high rise window cleaners?

[@corrosivesprings9526]

@@Grizzle_Uno of course depends where you at and what company so it’s really a wide range in Florida I saw hourly rates go from 17- about 30$ an hour. I made my most money when I started doing piece work, I would get paid by how many times I went over the building instead of by the hour. And when I did that I just hustled, skipped lunch and did as much as possible. When I moved to Boston the starting pay was $30 an hour so it’s really dependent on where you are and what company you go to.

[@francislutz8027]

I am a high rise window cleaner and there's no way in hell. 2 ropes, boatswain chair, my safety, my rack, harness and rope protectors go over the wall with me EVERY drop. There are so many sharp edges and exposed fasteners on all skyscrapers that this is just foolish

[@francislutz8027]

Those metal frames are beauty frames They aren't structural They are trim Glued and clipped to the window frame to hide the exposed edges with a finished surface They aren't meant to hold your weight They fall off all the time

[@brendanlittle5996]

The final shot of him standing on the edge was worse for my sweaty palms than the entirety of the rest of the documentary.

[@jada589]

same!! especially when he just bent over

[@m.o.n.d.e.g.r.e.e.n]

im havign physical pain around my body from that image. he says this is when he feels least anxious, for me its the most anxious just to watch wtffff

[@hunterkarr5618]

I know right? Holy macaroni!

[@aderyn548]

Saaame I almost got instantly sick😂 happy I am not alone 😂😂

[@chieuk590]

I’m kinda glad the credits cover part of it lol

[@Cammmmeron]

This is insane, I can't understand why someone would take such a risk. This is like the ultimate thrill junkies adventure

[@theinconsistentgamer1402]

These types of climbers are the total opposite of adrenaline junkies, though. Alex Honnold talked about it in his documentary about free solo climbing El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. He said that there's no room for excitement, that if he lets his nerves get to him, if he allows himself to become overwhelmed by emotions that he'd lose focus and that's when accidents happen. So he stays fully dialed in, focused on the task at hand, and the experience is largely calm and meditative like in nature, because it has to be.

[@zigzaganimation6480]

I can't even climb a ladder

[@goldenstar_1007]

Talent

[@lubex3486]

TBH, after 2 meters i would have cried and passed out!😂

[@dayoldeggplant]

​@@theinconsistentgamer1402Again, it still makes no sense...what does one get out of it? It's quite literally the dumbest thing you can do.

[@knmksthx]

I don’t even like climbing, but these dudes’ outlook on life is incredible. They literally do what they love even if it could kill them because if they didn’t, they wouldn’t really be living anyway

[@mymothertodd3973]

Wow man this is inspiring. It doesn’t make me want to be a climber, but it does make me want to stop being a coward and chase my goals.

[@sawuneyhasani5962]

Definitely

[@seansmith9333]

I'll come back to this comment when he dies and we will see how it aged lol

[@aldxbaran]

@@seansmith9333 It won't age poorly at all. Like the video says, we all die at some point, and these climbers just have control of that fate directly. But Im guessing you skimmed the video anyways so

[@dictionplacement5467]

absolutely, fear has stopped me from doing so many things in life. I never regret times I am passionate about something and chasing it no matter how scared I am. get out there people face the fears and live life to the fullest!

[@knmksthx]

For real. These dudes inspire the crap outta me lol

[@rikuyomi]

Dude is self medicating anxiety with adrenaline addiction.

[@AwokenEntertainment]

it was wholesome to see that he sees his close friends right before a big climb, but haunting when it hit me that he lives every moment like it could be his last

[@asiaderrough9724]

Yea it gave me a very eerie feeling. It was like they're coming to say their goodbyes just in case

[@natk4017]

I'm sure that's part of the psychology. This seems like extreme attention seeking behavior, I'm sure it feels really good for everyone that cares about you to make sure to spend time with you and not say anything mean to you before you basically attempt to delete yourself over and over again. Seems very manipulative and emotionally abusive, like "You have to give me extra attention and care because I may go at any moment"

[@VioletSkye19]

Great Video, the guys that do all the climbing like this are freaking amazing, I don’t mean just the ability of climbing, they either do or don’t have those skills, at whatever level. But to me it’s the mindset where you just push all that fear, the stress & worrying & maybes & what ifs, you manage to push that all to the side, ALL of it, as that’s the make or break, as soon as you allow your brain for a second to imagine the worst, your gone. Great quote at the end “from the moment we are born we are destined to die” how true is that, and conquering that is probably exactly why these guys can do what they are.

[@katherinestiletto]

One mistimed sneeze, one wet grip where you were expecting a dry one, any sort of unexpected incident and you’re going to turn into a pink stain on the concrete

[@PaladinFury]

One pidgeon with a tummy ache... *splort* *slip*

[@killerbeen773]

😅😅

[@Godrulez7]

​@PaladinFury One unexpected coo and you fall.

[@katherinestiletto]

@@Godrulez7 imagine getting up there and you discover the windows are oily or waxy from residue over the years

[@Godrulez7]

@@katherinestiletto Imagine dragons.

[@kyddshine]

The experience and expression of free soloing is something so unique in this life. Like drugs I don’t recommend but have done them and would never say don’t. To see urban soloist is very amazing, like big wall and hi end rock. I know on ice and in Mountians and low grade I can play. But so love to see it done in this disciplines setting, mad good.

[@borntoclimb7116]

As a freeclimber, i love rocks and towers

[@appellsauce]

What an admirable mindset! He realizes panicking means disaster so he forces out his anxiety, truly incredible

[@alainrobert]

just a pity that vice who knew it didn't mention I did it in 1995 and 2005 and it's only a medium building in terms of difficulties . shame on vice

[@Time4Technology]

@@alainrobert Did you watch the video before you decided to make an imposter account ?

[@Enishiii]

​@@alainrobert clown comment

[@eternal1097]

@@Time4Technology its actually him lol

[@Time4Technology]

@@eternal1097 Really? In this case I apologize.

[@tosomt5419]

my palms and feet were sweating throughout this video! I get nervous walking on the second floor of my local mall.

[@noobwithattitude3755]

i cannot even explain the feeling i get from watching and imagine beeing him.What a Mind much love and long life

[@bucklax31]

Lol he's not going to have a long life, just a long fall to the end of it

[@astroboirap]

yeah one second away from splattering on the ground

[@user-bq8xs1up6i]

ehhh maybe you get 5 seconds @@astroboirap

[@bhambhole]

16:25 "maybe they are frustrated because their dick is too small" . I cracked up when he said this!

[@essen00cat]

Insane bravery and fearlessness to do this type of thing. These guys are the elite of the elite of climbing. They just can't guarantee the structural integrity of the metal concrete and windows etc of these buildings.

[@flapjack413]

I admire their bravery, but no matter how good people are at what they do, things end up going wrong at some point, it's only a matter of time. I'm not a praying man, but I wish these folks all the best.

[@Shinkajo]

Wishing someone the best isn't praying

[@flapjack413]

@@Shinkajo Precisely why I chose those words.

[@Shinkajo]

@@flapjack413 but why would you declare that you're not a praying man then? It's completely redundant.

[@skatemaster33]

@@Shinkajo It is not redundant, he simply states that he wants to do something like praying, but since he is not a praying man, he wishes them the best instead.

[@JamesWilliams-jf3hd]

@@Shinkajo I think your problem is you don’t get any females. Is that the problem? Maybe your money is also non-existent? 🤷 Maybe you’re afflicted by both problems 😂

[@BigPapaJ01]

i get more anxious when he stands at the top than when he actually climbs it

[@alainrobert]

it's good because you are buying vice although they forget to mention I did it twice in 1995 and 2005 . shame on vice

[@ANPHKI]

@@alainrobert I think Alexis was first to do that building. Or was it really you?

[@Ellie-vv5tw]

@@alainrobertI think they should also give you credit. Well done on all your climbs.

[@CavernSaga]

The level of skill, focus, and fearlessness required to accomplish such a feat is truly remarkable. I chicken out just climbing the ladder 🤣

[@johnholliday13]

And that's why you'll live longer than most

[@joshuaa1605]

Remarkable indeed. And most importantly pointless....

[@lerugolf]

Remarkable ?? You know fear is what makes you alive longer ? It is not there as a bad thing !! People with no fears, die young, hurt family, and have no sort of control

[@TheWolfalpino]

you should start climbing. easy, slowly, it's a passion, not a challenge. And it's the best one. The perfect to train all, mind, body, emotion, spirit and focus.

[@Usemynames]

What I admire is their trust on the structure of buildings they're climbing.

[@guachingman]

There wont be a tofu edition

[@pauls4235]

@guachingman you have me fucking dead😂 Tofu edition = suicide

[@killercaos123]

This is like the extreme stuff vs channels like @Shiey and videos on YT. I get climbing up extreme and severe structures, but this is taking it to a whole new level

[@luismello1158]

Shiey is the goat. He does extreme but he is no fool

[@miroz5824]

Urban climbing, at least for me, always was connected to youthfulness or at least 'new perspectives'. Awesome piece, Alain Robert is true legend! 💯%

[@alainrobert]

nearly 30 years freesoloing buildings with at my best period of time the Sears tower in Chicago , Areva and so on . in this video Alexis is climbing the Mercuriales buildings I did twice as they are twins . 1st in 1995 and the second in 2005 .

[@miroz5824]

@@alainrobert Alain, you achieved so much and inspired generations just by being yourself, thank you for that :)

[@alainrobert]

👍🙏👌

[@signity5540]

@@alainrobert amazing to see you in this comment section Alain, your work is amazing and you’re truly a pioneer

[@billb5865]

Keep up the great work I'll stay down here on the ground and watch you guys soar into the clouds you remind me of like birds are you can jump around and then you can fly not necessarily fly but you're sitting world records you're doing crazy things and honestly to me it's amazing to watch keep up the great work

[@Vazquez12able]

10:20 Alains words in ths part are so true it gave me chills. You need to do what you do purely for yourself first and foremost.

[@Southpaw128]

My palms were sweating profusely the entire video lol

[@technomickdocumentalist2495]

Mint bit of journo work Vice, really well done, fantastic mini doc. 😎 💥 👌

[@deidradahl2802]

I pray for your safety , I got so scared watching I had to leave. You are a strong ,brave and stable person. Safety

[@msbkay]

i had anxiety watching this. i cant imagine ever thinking this is fun bt i love watching others do the things they love😊. kudos to these gentlemen!!

[@DMWBN3]

One person is not responsible for another adults actions. How do you even start to know you have a super power??!! Solo free climbing is insane. Breathtaking, good luck.

[@BartMolkenboer]

The passion, the motivation, the goal, the focus and soberness. You can see this this man was born for it and it's his life.

[@bloodlust9984]

My palms are so sweaty my heart is racing just watching. Crazy!

[@DestroyerTV]

He made it look easy too. Then stood on the top edge with no fear. Incredible!

[@VEE3RDEYE]

Alex is an increíble athlete & im completely comfortable knowing his abilities. I love the message, if you're not living your potential then you're not even living.

[@AlexisLandot]

Thank you for the support man, it’s really appreciated 🫶🏻

[@VEE3RDEYE]

@@AlexisLandot your strength & mental focus is inspiring i love following your journey

[@23joelopes]

15:55 and a few seconds past the old French guy is HILARIOUS 😭

[@wildman_69]

This is absolutely incredibly undeniably crazy and I fucking love it

[@AlexTheFollowerofJesusChrist]

This reminds me back when I was a teenager me and my little brother and our friends would watch that guy climbing skyscrapers. That inspired us to go and climb a few buildings and the adrenaline rush I got made it so much fun, but there were some close calls that made it scary at times.

[@user-yv7mu9en6v]

did you die

[@borntoclimb7116]

You mean alain robert

[@hepsima]

same

[@Toosmoothtolose]

yea this isn’t fortnite man you only got one life…

[@jordanalandry1866]

Just thinking about this i start getting vertigo and feeling sick. I was just listening to this as I was falling asleep and I was traumatized because I could just picture it I’m so afraid of heights I get dizzy and feel my stomach drop just looking over a balcony on a high building, this guy is insane.

[@mikefranc954]

We're twin's

[@FijiLaw]

Wow building facade with woven grill @10:53 is beautiful!

[@kacieogle513]

I codrive in a rally car.. I like that 100% dialed in focus.. It's wonderful.. No room for thinking about anything else but the task at hand.. I think personally its a escape from everything else for a short period of time.

[@miker7032]

Watching this made my hands so sweaty

[@bazjr86]

This sport has a surprisingly low death rate. These guys are highly conditioned for these climbs. Its still insane!

[@gezzapk]

Not true. Free solo as a discipline has many deaths. There’s a reason many retire early

[@FPV_TOMMY]

This video was magic Alain , la légende de notre enfance Alexis, la relève

[@jdaddyaz]

Didn't realize how sweaty my hands had become till the video had ended. Really encapsulating video.

[@rctkiller]

Everyone gangsta til they slip

[@VendettaProspecting]

1:11 my hands are already sweating watching this LETSGO!

[@Ellie-vv5tw]

I can relate to this guy and pleased this popped up on my feed!

[@phutton88]

Awesome video! I felt a slight wave of euphoria when you topped out!

[@KeyK0ng]

Thats a lot of trust in the construction. Seen a few buildings like that where glass panels have fell out or cladding has just blew away. It's always replaced so the general public don't notice.

[@Zippy15]

Risking your own life for a climb is one thing- but I can’t help but think about the people on the ground. If they were to fall and hit someone, or even knock something off a building, that could be the end of not only him but someone else. I hope that the ground was cordoned off and cleared and that the safety of others was taken into consideration on each and every one of these climbs.

[@simonsauer1435]

Not only that, but imagine he would fall, and a little kid (or probably anyone) would see him coming down and hitting the ground. That's going to be a trauma for life.

[@Zippy15]

@@simonsauer1435 another good point.

[@NLFO4EVER]

What are the chances of that actually happening I've never seen 1 case of this happening

[@rnomberg]

Come on, don't be so afraid of everything... 😁

[@sashaircha6475]

Yeah there’s a fine line between bravery and stupidity. What he’s doing doesn’t really benefit anyone. It’s too risky and downright stupid.

[@billb5865]

Whatever you guys are doing wherever you guys are and girls keep up and keep practicing the fact that you're free climbing a building with no ropes says everything it takes a big pair

[@xxalmightyxx2304]

Omg!!! Finally!! I follow this guys on IG and they are super talented climbers!!! Thanks Vice!!

[@KarKingz1]

Definitely an amazing segment. But 16:21 time stamp is hilarious 😂 😂

[@turtle2470]

lol I laughed toi

[@ubuntuiqinisoofuna7852]

I let out a piggish snot chuckle. Wasn’t expecting that and his accent made it funnier…

[@matthewayers4767]

Hell of a way to deal with your anxiety, I respect but damn that's insane

[@DanielMcCauley-up7oq]

Xanax is easier.

[@captainzero119]

this is an insane acheivment of dedication but I feel it is one sided when he talks about fear of losing some one yet he loves yet continues to take these risks, but it is his life and I admire his skill

[@comattigeoffrey2901]

Excellent d'avoir l'interview avec Alain Robert. Vous êtes des sportifs très courageux.

[@uniquetv2646]

Man I love how much courage and strength these people have and the passion they have behind what they love because I know if I was to do it I would be scared and probably wouldn’t get past the floor

[@richardaffonso]

And the fact that they are going to jail afterwards. 🙂

[@uniquetv2646]

@@richardaffonso true 🤣 if they get caught

[@Sir_Vantage]

@@richardaffonso why would they mind going to jail if they can do that?

[@dogedave3188]

Damn I’m almost getting a panic attack watching them cling to nothing hundreds of feet off the ground. I’m built like a heavy weight boxer though, these guys are all built like athletic soccer players. Big difference in mobility!

[@FluffyAmyNL]

respect for Alex. life is about what u want to do even if it has some risk. Alex is very good climber.

[@triviaboricua8691]

This is so motivational!! Thats why at my 46 years old , Im learing boxing and planning to participate in tournaments.

[@youtubeuser.1]

Thank you VICE for posting urban climbing in a positive light. Hopefully the mindset of the population can change just a little bit and get more understanding for this perspective. :)

[@Hadrian_S]

I don’t want to be walking along a sidewalk and have some adrenaline junkie splatter in front of me

[@JamesWoolfordDesign]

As admirable, ballsy, amazing, heroic and skilful as it is, you're putting your family, GF etc through torture every few month just to warrant the fact you can climb higher and higher and more dangerous.. crazy crazy man.

[@motogeo]

Awesome climber and video, thanks!

[@Pinero02]

This man climbs the entire building no protection and instead of diving over the wall for dear ground when he reaches the top he stands on top of it like stone cold 🥶 this man different balls made of adamantium

[@pizzamanmep]

No amount of chalk powder would alleviate the sweat dripping out of my palms trying to climb 2 levels of this building

[@kunx104]

finally a big outlet covering my man Alain Robert again! He's a legend 4 real

[@alainrobert]

I posted a short on my KZbin channel when I climbed the Mercuriales. I did the 1st one in 1996 without any prior trial and the 2nd in 2005 in 15mn

[@rosefamily2351]

What an incredible young human being

[@indatubesurfer]

Man that’s crazy! I get nervous driving over high and long bridges. I can’t imagine this!!

[@bicyclist2]

The French climber Alan Roberts was covered by Jeremy Clarkson in his series "Jeremy Clarkson: Meets the Neighbors". I hate heights. I have tons of respect for what they do, but this is the definition of Crazy Insane. This should only be done with rope or cable with a harness. Thank you.

[@TheMuro22]

Dude's already a legend, can't wait to see what he's up to next

[@israel3538]

Probably meeting jesus

[@marc2752]

@@israel3538 beat me to it

[@northernkushreviews7335]

I get anxious AF just watching this!

[@Rimsiakas]

What a great video! Bravo!

[@Knighttus]

I cant even climb a ladder half the size of a scrapper let alone try this insane passion, NOPE im good.

[@davealaya]

I can't even climb a ladder. Period.

[@hugocanuto6981]

I climbed a big ladder before and i never doing that again, it was the scariest thing ever thank god i didn't have to climb down lol

[@askadoctor1262]

That is why no one will remember your name. - Brad Pitt - Michael Scott

[@Knighttus]

@@askadoctor1262 im cool with that 99% of people dont get remembered after couple of years anyways

[@TheBontekraai]

i am happy he does something he really loves, but he sounds addicted and should get help. feeling like he isn't worth anything if he doesn't climb that tower is definetly some sort of trauma.

[@Nightwishmaster]

Climbing changes you deeply as a person and alters your perspective on life in many ways. "He's addicted and should get help" is a gross under simplification. Climbing is a very spiritual activity, and free soloing especially. What these handful of guys do that climb these urban skyscrapers is especially rare and crazy. Just because he looks at the world in an entirely different way than you can understand doesn't mean he needs help.

[@LeviL22]

​@Nightwishmaster I have a lot of respect for free solo climbing But I do not like urban climbing. Everyone who is free soloing a mountain has signed an unwritten contract to see one another die. This cant be said for witnesses to an urban climber falling, not to mention the he could fall on a pedestrian.

[@TheBontekraai]

@@Nightwishmaster I could have worded it better, but I do understand him. Because he reminds me of myself.

[@Nightwishmaster]

@@LeviL22 That's absolutely not true at all, do you realize how many people also go to the parks where people climb? Yosemite is full of people watching the climbers and could easily witness a free solo death. I'm not saying it's right or wrong but it's drastically different than free soloing a rock face, there is so much variance between each and every hold and move where a building is basically a single boulder problem repeated over and over again. Either you have the ability to climb it and the endurance to get to the top or you don't but that has nothing to do with what Jeffery said as his point was about the mentality behind people that are "addicted" to climbing, not the ethics of free soloing.

[@alainrobert]

are you even aware that I did it in 1995 and 2006 without any prior training as this building isn't really complicated . it's a big dishonesty from vice

[@awaresoul1389]

It is artistic and it is inspiring. Just beautiful!!

[@medsmthng5781]

Wow! Watching this, you feel uneasy! Also, you get the urge to want to try something kinda "crazy"! Something that would make you feel alive...

[@anyagordon8962]

"When I climb, my anxiety goes away" ...the things we do for some anxiety relief in here

[@DanielMcCauley-up7oq]

Try some Xanax freak. Mylanta!

[@hectorm1520]

Huge fan of Alexis Landot. So happy Vice did this video. Congrats on the amazing climb Alexis!!!

[@seankimbrough8489]

This is incredibly stupid, how can you be a fan of this?

[@alainrobert]

if I had been vice I would have mentioned that I did the Mercuriales in 1995 and 2005 as they are twin without any training on the building as actually medium in terms of difficulties . it's not Alexis fault but dishonesty from vice

[@levi3186]

16:21 bro my jaw dropped🤣🤣

[@098765432qwertyuiop]

Going up was the easy part, you made it through Bagnolet ! j/k impressed and sweaty hands here.

[@i.k.8868]

I used to climb like that when I was 5, 6 years old. But my gym teacher didn't like me doing that and he actually put my head down the toilet out of anger. After that I didn't dare climb free urban solo any more... :( Only in the last couple of years I have started to pick up bouldering (I'm 35). I like extreme sports in general, though. My favorite sport is inline vert skating :)

[@Berm_Blaster]

Where you from

[@gravy3858]

that’s terrible. I’m sorry. What a horrible teacher

[@unclemaca]

Smell $hite

[@fatufatu]

HUH

[@i.k.8868]

@@fatufatu I could climb doorframes upside down, feet first. Then I would jam my legs tight in the top of the frame. Hanging upside down with my arms free I could scare the other kids who had to walk underneath. I also used the heating pipes to climb to the ceiling of the gym hall before the start of each class. I would sit in the window sill just under the roof (about 5m high), and then I would swing the ropes into the gym hall because our teacher never allowed us to climb. We only did boring aerobics exercises... I guess at some point he broke. Luckily after the incident my classmates went to the principle and told him what happened. The teacher was soon replaced. I never dared to tell anyone myself, until recently. The principle never told my parents, so they never knew about it...

[@carpo719]

I don't know how to feel about that, it's highly impressive but dang that's a risk. You can tell that old guy has quite a big head on him, he just kept repeating how everybody was following him and his footsteps as if he was the first guy in history to consider climbing a building. There's a certain arrogance leeching off of that older dude

[@eternalbeing3339]

Crazy old man.

[@sweetycamy]

they're all psychos and they're probably lacking the area of the brain that controls risk assesment.

[@TheCrimsonfluf]

I mean, ultimately he was right though lol

[@sevensevenalways7995]

If Alex Honnold says he's the GOAT, then he's the GOAT

[@jonathanturner2187]

The older guy is Alain Robert. Guy was doing 5.13d free soloing on rock in the 80’s when the hardest rope climbs were 5.14b. Dude was literally pushing the envelope of what what believed possible, with no ropes. He’s also climbed over 160 skyscrapers. He is the GOAT!

[@392smokedogg]

Yo my hands sweet easily this man is a monster I can’t believe he did that wow shout out to you and anybody else that does extreme sporting

[@kadeanosbourne7904]

I love vice this man is a great climber he can climb high

[@ConsensusX]

These guys never stop until they're dead. The are adrenaline junkies, and then there are these guys.

[@heinrichmuller7974]

theres an awful lot of "what ifs" occurring in my mind, lol like what if one of the construction workers was feeling sick or was hung over the day of construction ,and they skipped every other rivet or screw and didn't factor in that one day someone would actually climb on the outside of the building... though i suppose the mere fact that all these what ifs running through my mind is one of the big key differences between myself and these amazing feats

[@gabzpot]

Inspiring. Thanks.

[@nenmaster1650]

some people are just born different, bravo!

[@SATAN_IGatan]

Alain Robert is a living legend

[@alnabulsi313]

16:20 Monsieur came with the BIG guns 🥹👏🫡

[@MrBobbo18]

I start thinking about how high up I am or the weird angle…….. my hands shake and I have to climb down. I can only boulder now, short climbs. This blows my Mind!

[@jopos5082]

At first I didn’t understand now I understand thank you 🙏

[@ebeneZr]

I’d hate to be his girlfriend it would be constant anxiety but he is quite amazing

[@MsTropicalRookie]

He said his life has no value if he doesn't try. If he doesn't climb a skyscraper? Man, there are some deeper issues here. I hope he gets the help he obviously needs.

[@rnomberg]

Why being judgemental? Aren't we the ones to be cured for sitting half the day in front of a screen?

[@lordtette]

​@@rnomberg?? If the person who's on the computer all day says the same, then yeah, there is a problem

[@GaryLabandter]

Well done story, thx 😊

[@SpeedyMckeezy]

Did it in an as I lay dying hoodie as well, what a guy

[@alainrobert]

it's a cool video showing Alexis who is representing the new generation with his 23 years old as on my side I pioneered it by starting to climb buildings freesolo nearly 30 years ago with at tdy nearly 170 buildings from all over the world . Most importantly and interestingly I have inspired a new breed and generation of climbers and im knowing pretty much all the other urban climbers in the whole world and especially Alexis as we met on few occasions in Paris and we even shared an ascent together in September 2021 .

[@anchoragesalsa]

What would be a climbing grade of the building he last scaled?

[@alainrobert]

​@@anchoragesalsa I climbed the Mercuriales in 1995 and 2005 flash as intrinsically its only 5.8 maybe 5.9 . those are medium buildings in terms of difficulties as there is horizontal frames allowing an active rest . on the top of it it is safe as you are always hooking your fingers into the grooves which is not the case on rock . That's why I never gave any grades on buildings as it is only abt resistance exept 6 or 7 buildings that are extremely difficult but once again intrinsically not really . hope it will give you more clarity .

[@aaaa-fq1ue]

Actually Marcus Caloa pioneered freeclimbing in 71

[@alainrobert]

​@aaaa it's not free climbing but freesoloing .

[@aaaa-fq1ue]

@@alainrobert that’s what i mean. U are sorely mistaken if u think u pioneered it. u are a follower of trends

[@deepu_btbx]

Henry Cavill's life really went downhill after Man of Steel

[@RenxoLuizArturo1]

I’m ok with sitting in my lounge sweating,muscles pulling stiff,head spinning almost fainting, just by watching these climbers😂God Bless them🙏🏼

[@taniaherbst9783]

Thank you, awesome video, appreciate.

[@flipflopwinter2089]

Yeah there's 4-5 people on earth doing this at the moment, but the turnover is pretty high.