Afraid of heights/tower crane < on 3/1/2011 5:09 PM >
I am scared of heights and need to get over it. I have forced myself up ladders and on top of roofs but its scary and people usually have to prod me into it and I am sick of missing out on all the cool stuff/views from the catwalks/other high places in abandoned buildings.
I have been seeing pictures of tower cranes people have climbed and was thinking it might be a good way to get over my fear. I am kind of clumsy and not a super agile climber is this a terrible idea? If not, for the people that have climbed these what do I need to know before I climb my first one?
Re: Afraid of heights/tower crane <Reply # 1 on 3/1/2011 6:33 PM >
I would say it's probably best you get more comfortable / less clumsy before climbing anything high enough that the fall will outright kill you. Do you have any rock climbing facilities near you? Spend a few days on their bouldering wall to help with agility and strength. www.detroit-madness.com
Re: Afraid of heights/tower crane <Reply # 2 on 3/1/2011 7:07 PM >
A few more things to think about. If you're finding rooftops a bit scary- on a rooftop there's plenty of room to move away from the edge, sit down, the building isn't going to be swaying in the wind.
Climbing a crane you're going to be "floating" in the air completely exposed - there will be no large expanse of roof to look at if you start to feel squeamish. There is no sitting down if you start to feel a bit weak in the knees the only solid surface you have to stand/rest on is a 3/8"-1/2" diameter piece of steel- once you get out on the boom the steel grate "floor" will flex under your feet. If it's windy there's a good chance your going to be swaying a very noticeable amount.
Not trying to scare you from ever attempting it - just trying to say - if ladders and roofs are scary now you need to really prepare yourself for what you're thinking of doing and realize it's a major step up. The last place you want to realize you're in over your head is half way up a 15 story crane.
This coming from someone who has never climbed a tower crane himself
I'd really suggest climbing some water towers or rooftop smokestacks before attempting a crane - at least they are solid. www.detroit-madness.com
Re: Afraid of heights/tower crane <Reply # 3 on 3/1/2011 7:15 PM >
Coming from someone who has climbed many of them- tower cranes are among the easiest manmade structures to climb, because they are meant for it, and can easily be done without safety gear.
It's nothing more than a ladder separated into sections with platforms, and you can pause and rest at every section if you want, providing you don't get seen.
The ladder itself is fairly enclosed, so it would be very hard to actually fall off of the crane if you slipped while on your way up or down.
On the top it's a bit easier to fall off, but there's still a pretty wide area to sit/lay down without being right on the edge, and there are railings.
edit: also, i've never really felt a crane swaying too noticeably- not saying it doesn't happen, just that it's never been an issue for me.
I think I know the crane you're thinking of, just be wary of cranes that are surrounded by buildings that are active 24/7, like hospitals. They aren't impossible, just a bit riskier.
[last edit 3/1/2011 7:17 PM by aurelie - edited 1 times] reckless thoughts abide; anachronistic and impulsive.
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Re: Afraid of heights/tower crane <Reply # 4 on 3/1/2011 7:17 PM >
Thanks very much for your help. I wasnt thinking about the swaying or the lack of resting room. I think you have a fantastic idea the water tower may be a good place to start. I am just hoping a climb like that will be scary enough that these smaller climbs wont seem like anything.
Re: Afraid of heights/tower crane <Reply # 5 on 3/1/2011 7:24 PM >
Posted by aurelie Coming from someone who has climbed many of them- tower cranes are among the easiest manmade structures to climb, because they are meant for it, and can easily be done without safety gear.
It's nothing more than a ladder separated into sections with platforms, and you can pause and rest at every section if you want, providing you don't get seen.
The ladder itself is fairly enclosed, so it would be very hard to actually fall off of the crane if you slipped while on your way up or down.
On the top it's a bit easier to fall off, but there's still a pretty wide area to sit/lay down without being right on the edge, and there are railings.
edit: also, i've never really felt a crane swaying too noticeably- not saying it doesn't happen, just that it's never been an issue for me.
I think I know the crane you're thinking of, just be wary of cranes that are surrounded by buildings that are active 24/7, like hospitals. They aren't impossible, just a bit riskier.
Thank you! I may try a crane after I make it up a water tower then.
Re: Afraid of heights/tower crane <Reply # 6 on 3/1/2011 7:40 PM >
Are there any hotels near you? Often hotels, especially old ones, are easy to rooftop. Find one you can easily open (Might take a gently applied butter knife as a key) and bring a sleeping bag. Sleep up there, hopefully someplace with a view of the city. Prohobo is the hottest new sport sweeping America, you should get in on it.
If you do this on a concrete structure (NOT aggregate, gravel, tarpaper, or metal/plastic sheeting) you could bring s'mores. Fire extinguishers are rad.
Re: Afraid of heights/tower crane <Reply # 9 on 3/1/2011 8:36 PM >
If you are clumsy, cranes are far from a good place to start getting over your fear. While some have walkways, they tend to have cables and crap left all over them, and they look stable in photos, but they sway and shake. Like this one:
The handrails were loose and the whole thing swayed.
Try hanging out on rooftops. It's awesome in the summer to take a picnic up with you. And it will develop more comfort with your height. And when you are not so afraid you won't be so clumsy.
I'm afraid of heights, and to be honest, I cannot walk down a side walk without tripping. But up there is different for me. The act of controlling my fear makes me so much more alert and feels so amazing. Up there I can get myself out onto jibs without making a mistake.
Re: Afraid of heights/tower crane <Reply # 11 on 3/1/2011 9:49 PM >
Ladder cages are more of a psychological safety measure, if u slip in a cage you're still going down. For a first crane find something not too high (under 20 stories) and take your time with it. Do not climb during the daytime. Its way too fun. [last edit 3/1/2011 9:54 PM by hilite - edited 1 times] And when you finally disappear, We'll just say you were never here.
Re: Afraid of heights/tower crane <Reply # 13 on 3/2/2011 12:27 AM >
Personally I wouldn't recommend crane climbing as a way to get over your fear of heights, if something goes wrong you might have to get down/up faster than you'd be comfortable with, could cause problems.
It seems like you're going out and encountering heights with some regularity, as long as you do something that scares you a bit each time you'll get over your fear soon enough. I did Wank | Wank | Wank | Wank | Wank | Wank
Re: Afraid of heights/tower crane <Reply # 14 on 3/2/2011 1:40 AM >
You won't fall if you watch where you put your hands/feet.
I started out climbing cell towers which are inherently more dangerous, but more common, and depending on the tower: less likely to be arrested.
Cranes are among the safest things you can climb.
Used to be terrified of heights as a kid but I started to overcome it when in my early teens, I still get butterflies looking up at something I'm about to climb but by the time my feet hit the first wrungs I know it's too late to turn back.
I used to think I could never do half the things other people here have done.
I don't think about falling, I don't about failing, I don't think about whether I can mentally do it ... the first thought is always in terms of "Can I physically do it?" If I'm strong enough, fit enough, if the handholds are there.
Then I evaluate if I can do it without being seen, evaluate my window of opportunity, evaluate an escape path, evaluate the risk to reward ratio.
Once I'm reasonably certain I can do it physically and can get away there's nothing to hold me back except my own cowardice and I take that as a failure to myself. "No risk, no reward, no fun." "Go all the way or walk away" escensi omnis...
Re: Afraid of heights/tower crane <Reply # 15 on 3/2/2011 1:44 AM >
Posted by adventuregirl
Was that your first big thing you climbed?
indeed it was I didnt want to, and kept coming up with excuses, but I eventually gave into peer pressure and do not regret it AT ALL! Sony a7II | Canon 5D mkII | Canon Rebel XSi | Sony 28mm f/2.0 | Yashica 50mm f/1.9 | Sigma 15mm f/2.8 fisheye | Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 | Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM | Sigma 70-200 f/2.8
If you spot a terrorist arrow, pin it to the wall with your shoulder.
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Re: Afraid of heights/tower crane <Reply # 18 on 3/4/2011 3:59 AM >
Posted by aurelie Coming from someone who has climbed many of them- tower cranes are among the easiest manmade structures to climb, because they are meant for it, and can easily be done without safety gear.
+1.
Cranes are probably the safest thing I've ever climbed (Cell towers, building brickwork, microwave towers, watertowers, rocks), as long as you don't go out the arm. The caged ladder / platforms will keep you from falling a fatal distance, give you easy places to rest, and there's plenty of room to walk around on top. If you're super-paranoid, you can crawl around on top and still see everything.
Posted by aurelie Just be wary of cranes that are surrounded by buildings that are active 24/7, like hospitals.
What she said. Cranes are an easy climb skill-wise, but maybe not your best bet security wise. Totally worth it though. "That's just my opinion. I would, however, advocate for explosive breaching, since speed and looking cool are both concerns in my job."-Wilkinshire
Re: Afraid of heights/tower crane <Reply # 19 on 3/4/2011 8:13 AM >
I, personally, really want to climb cranes as well. I've even dreamed about it, but are the laws on cranes stricter than just construction sites? http://www.flickr.com/photos/p_docta/