Author Topic: Are you afraid of heights? (Read 6626 times)

roadkoan · « **on:** April 27, 2012, 05:36:24 AM »

Hey all! I saw these pics (click for more) go by on Der Spiegel and thought I'd share. I work in the air and don't generally feel much fear around heights, however a couple of these made even me a little excited.

Wow.

Looks like fun! I wonder what the potential legal implications are here in the states?

tweeter55 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 27, 2012, 05:59:37 AM »

Not for the weak-kneed, indeed.

http://youtu.be/2A_h2AjJaMw

Elfmaze · « **Reply #2 on:** April 27, 2012, 09:32:50 AM »

I've always wondered how they put those towers up that are taller than the cranes. I can imagine the view from up there is amazing, And of course this isn't in the USA, our kids are too lazy to climb a 1600' tower

mcclaskeyj · « **Reply #3 on:** April 27, 2012, 11:28:54 AM »

Quote from: tweeter55 on April 27, 2012, 05:59:37 AM

Not for the weak-kneed, indeed.

http://youtu.be/2A_h2AjJaMw

That's INSANE!!! I sure hope they pay those guys a WHOLE LOT of money.

My now deceased grandfather used to climb towers like that but I don't think they were quite THAT high.

Wow.

MAN OF BLUES · « **Reply #4 on:** April 27, 2012, 11:43:16 AM »

Quote from: Elfmaze on April 27, 2012, 09:32:50 AM

I've always wondered how they put those towers up that are taller than the cranes. I can imagine the view from up there is amazing, And of course this isn't in the USA, our kids are too lazy to climb a 1600' tower

HELICOPTERS.....

Awaz · « **Reply #5 on:** April 27, 2012, 01:29:18 PM »

I am not very comfortable with heights. But I did work on some 20 to 30' foot tall roofs. I just get used to it after climbing up and down a few times.

Mettler1 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 27, 2012, 02:42:11 PM »

YES!!!!

Rhino · « **Reply #7 on:** April 27, 2012, 03:15:17 PM »

Quote from: Elfmaze on April 27, 2012, 09:32:50 AM

I've always wondered how they put those towers up that are taller than the cranes. I can imagine the view from up there is amazing, And of course this isn't in the USA, our kids are too lazy to climb a 1600' tower

There are many in the US taller then 1600': http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tallest_structures_in_the_world

Rhino · « **Reply #8 on:** April 27, 2012, 03:15:55 PM »

Quote from: mcclaskeyj on April 27, 2012, 11:28:54 AM

That's INSANE!!! I sure hope they pay those guys a WHOLE LOT of money.

Got that right!

Nosmo · « **Reply #9 on:** April 27, 2012, 07:00:44 PM »

I'm not afraid of heights. I'm afraid of the DEPTHS under the heights, through which I will fall if I go over. 1600 feet doesn't bother me as much as 50 feet (although you won't find me up there). From 1600, death is certain, in a few seconds. From 50, quadraplegia or other crippling and disabling injuries are equally likely followed by a lifetime of suffering. No thanks.

Walker18 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 27, 2012, 11:14:16 PM »

I worked on towers, normally 100' to 200', for years. in 2001, I 'froze' half way up a 200' one. It took alot of instant self therapy to get ahold
of my fears and continue up. That newly aquired fear has not left me yet, and it's been a decade, so I doubt it's going to leave anytime soon.
So, to answer the question "am I afraid of heights?" Anything over 50', Hell yes..

roadkoan · « **Reply #11 on:** April 28, 2012, 05:50:12 AM »

I work on/install signs and it's not unusual to be 100'+ on a JGL or crane, I even serviced the 1st National sign in St Paul once at my last job.

It's a mere 500' or so to the top. But at least you are on top of something solid feeling. It looks more scarey from the ground than it is. On top its like this:

So you are really only gonna fall about 50' but try and tell that to your stomach!

I'm crazy, I know.
But as Nosmo said It's not the height or the fall that is scarey its the sudden stop at the end. which brings me to the next point: why no plan B? I.E. people base jump of of stuff like that all the time! Wouldn't you think having a chute with would be worth the extra weight?

Snibbor · « **Reply #12 on:** April 28, 2012, 06:22:53 AM »

Quote from: tweeter55 on April 27, 2012, 05:59:37 AM

Not for the weak-kneed, indeed.

http://youtu.be/2A_h2AjJaMw

Oh hell no. There's not enough money.....

Scaffolder · « **Reply #13 on:** April 28, 2012, 09:55:08 AM »

I tend to get pretty high. My current project is the Knights Of Columbus Building in New Haven, CT. About 330 feet high. It is Fraco Scaffolding (tower style). It has self erecting components, so no crane is required. The four sides of this building took me and four others ten weeks to build. This has been the largest Fraco job I have run. I will be glad to see this job come to an end. We are usually on smaller projects. Ten weeks feels like years. especially when you have to stay in a hotel away from my family.
The highest building I have been on is the Prudential Building in Boston. We were in Swing Scaffolding. Wasn't too much fun. A little wind goes a long way.

mjrfd99 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 28, 2012, 10:14:50 AM »

Get high on ladders not drugs. Well at least not both at the same time

booger · « **Reply #15 on:** April 29, 2012, 06:36:11 AM »

Heights don't bother me in the least...........until I get above 3'.

I've even done hypnotism, to no avail.

Rhino · « **Reply #16 on:** April 29, 2012, 01:57:38 PM »

Quote from: roadkoan on April 28, 2012, 05:50:12 AM

why no plan B? I.E. people base jump of of stuff like that all the time! Wouldn't you think having a chute with would be worth the extra weight?

I was wondering about that too. A few years back some guy climbed one of the guide wires on one of those 2000' monsters then based jumped off. But if your on the tower itself you would need to push off hard to clear the tower to be able to open the chute. That's not going to happen if you fall accidentally. I guess if you have the nerve and skill to do that job you would rarely make a mistake. I bet having one of those guys fall is extremely rare.

BlkBird · « **Reply #17 on:** April 29, 2012, 08:41:09 PM »

with the curvature of the horizon these were shot with a pretty wide lens. I believe the distance though still significant isn't nearly as bad as it seems in the photo's. For example if you look at the clamp on the near side of the second picture it is maybe triple the size of the clamp on the opposite side.

rush2112 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 01, 2012, 11:20:59 AM »

Heights are one of the triggers for my cataplexy. It's directly tied to my narcolepsy that I've suffered with for the last 15 or so years.
Cataplexy is the sudden episode of loss of muscle tone/control associated with usually some type of emotion. Happens to some people when they sneeze or even laugh. Freaking sucks!!!!

The worst trigger is tall bridges, only if I'm the one driving over it. I'm fine as a passenger for some strange reason. I have to really concentrate to keep control if one comes on. Had it happen once riding the bike on the Houston ship channel bridge. Now I have to really plan out my trips carefully.

Definitly can't take I-10 from Texas to Destin, Florida to see family. That makes me cross the bridge at Lake Charles and then again in Baton Rouge.

mcclaskeyj · « **Reply #19 on:** May 01, 2012, 11:48:45 AM »

Quote from: roadkoan on April 28, 2012, 05:50:12 AM

Snip..
I'm crazy, I know.
But as Nosmo said It's not the height or the fall that is scarey its the sudden stop at the end. which brings me to the next point: why no plan B? I.E. people base jump of of stuff like that all the time! Wouldn't you think having a chute with would be worth the extra weight?

Hell yeah!

I wouldn't want to climb THAT far down!

News:

Author Topic: Are you afraid of heights? (Read 6626 times)