Alain Robert (French pronunciation: [alɛ̃ ʁɔbɛʁ]; born Alain Philippe Robert; 7 August 1962) is a French rock climber and urban climber. Nicknamed "the French Spider-Man" or "the Human Spider", Robert carries out free solo climbs of skyscrapers using no climbing equipment except for a small bag of chalk and a pair of climbing shoes. Authorities do not typically grant him permission to climb many of the buildings he has ascended, but Robert has managed to evade security and access these structures surreptitiously. As a result, he has been arrested numerous times in various countries by law enforcement officials who were waiting for him at the end of his climb. However, he has also completed some climbs with permission and sponsorship.