Free Climbing the Tallest Tower

Off Topic
1

For any amount of money… or anything for that matter I would never be able to do this. I just saw this not sure if its old.

http://video.yahoo.com/network/101149635?v=8244494&l=5144241

2

At first it’s fine because he’s in a steel cage.

Then it’s more awesome because he’s outside.

And then it’s horrifying because you realize he’s not actually strapped into anything.

While I appreciate you probably get desensitized to this kind of shit if you do it regularly, you’d think that if you did actually fall off you’d feel like a tard for not spending that extra time clipping in. But, given that these men are somehow capable of climbing a tower without their titanic balls getting in the way, I’m not really criticising.

You also have to wonder how we make towers that tall in the first place.

3

That is no place for fear or doubt.

4

That shit gave me a small adrenaline rush just watching it.

5

good god. That would be ungodly intense. I’d want a parachute.

6

[quote]Ithiel wrote:
You also have to wonder how we make towers that tall in the first place.[/quote]

That was the second thing that ran through my mind… after I got over how ridiculous this is. But I can understand how you build a tall building… you can plant cranes etc… on them slowly work your way up… but a tower like that I can’t even begin to imagine.

7

this was on /sp/ yesterday. pretty badass.

8

Get the fuck out…

9

That is some crazy shit, especially when he goes outside.

10

30 seconds before the end, he’s standing at the top, the lighting beacon between his legs and he reaches for his caribinar with one hand then untangles it with the other which means HE’S NOT HANGING ON TO A FUCKIN THING!!!

Ri-dic-u-lous.

Were those his balls he was hauling up in the red bag?

11

[quote]Tyrant wrote:
I’d want a parachute.[/quote]

Totally. That video made my balls tingle just watching it.

12

When they mentioned the possibility of a thunderstorm and said there was no quick way down i loled. That made me sick to my stomach just watching that.
Plus I think it’s kinda funny that they are wearing helmets. I mean what good is that going to do lol

13

That guy is nuts. He narrates with the same excitement he might use while buying beige paint at a home center. “Now, I am climbing the ladder. These are my tools, hanging from a bag”. If it were me in that video, I’d be saying “fuckity fuck fuck! I’m at 1500 fucking feet now! Fucking fuck balls! Look how fucktardedly high I am now!!!”.

Some people are completely comfortable at insane heights. I know a guy who is very socially awkward, painfully shy, but spends his vacations BASE jumping off Swiss and Italian cliffs.

14

Why doesn’t he just ride a helicopter up, harness himself, lower down. success

15

HEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL NO!!! Fuck all kinds of that. My knees got wobbly just watching that.

16

[quote]Tex32 wrote:
Why doesn’t he just ride a helicopter up, harness himself, lower down. success [/quote]

I’m guessing (from his employers standpoint) it’s $35/hr per man climbing vs. $500/hr to helicopter a guy in. Plus, any idiot can climb but you need to find someone with rapelling skills to hang out of a chopper. Then add to that the risk of the downwash of the chopper blades, etc.

17

[quote]Tex32 wrote:
Why doesn’t he just ride a helicopter up, harness himself, lower down. success [/quote]

Great question.

18

He rode the elevator the majority of the way up. I mean he has to climb a while but it isn’t as much as you guys think.

19

[quote]Dr. Pangloss wrote:

[quote]Tex32 wrote:
Why doesn’t he just ride a helicopter up, harness himself, lower down. success [/quote]

I’m guessing (from his employers standpoint) it’s $35/hr per man climbing vs. $500/hr to helicopter a guy in. Plus, any idiot can climb but you need to find someone with rapelling skills to hang out of a chopper. Then add to that the risk of the downwash of the chopper blades, etc.

[/quote]

I am not sure that dude is only making $35/hour. Plus, you also have to consider the insurance on that dude. I am guessing the insurance would be a lot less to be lowered from a helicopter.

Don’t forget also that OSHA regs probably require they send two guys.

Also, even if the cost for the helicopter is more, consider how many hours it takes that dude to climb up and down that tower. I’m guessing it’s at least a 4 hour round trip.

$35 x 4 x 2 = $280. And that’s a conservative estimate.

20

  1. He climbs in jeans and work boots, wearing watch and the whole bit. Awesome.

  2. 50 ft, 100 ft, 1800 ft. You’re dead in all cases if you fall.

  3. I wouldn’t even climb 50 ft.