It's the first time completely around, eh?
June 16, 2011 5:48 PM Subscribe
CN Tower EdgeWalk, June 2011; YouTube, 2.00. For CAD175 you can harness up and walk around the five-foot-wide edge of Toronto's CN Tower, 356 metres/1,168 feet above ground level.
This is similar to Macau Tower's Skywalk, only much higher (Skywalk is 233 metres up). Macau's Mast Climb is closer to the height but is a much different thrill.
Related: Dar Robinson jumps off the CN Tower and Super Dave Osborne jumps off the CN Tower.
This is similar to Macau Tower's Skywalk, only much higher (Skywalk is 233 metres up). Macau's Mast Climb is closer to the height but is a much different thrill.
Related: Dar Robinson jumps off the CN Tower and Super Dave Osborne jumps off the CN Tower.
My other option is to keep $175 and remain on the perfectly safe ground.
I know what I'm choosing.
posted by Faint of Butt at 5:54 PM on June 16, 2011 [22 favorites]
I know what I'm choosing.
posted by Faint of Butt at 5:54 PM on June 16, 2011 [22 favorites]
175 seems excessive.
posted by modernnomad at 5:57 PM on June 16, 2011
posted by modernnomad at 5:57 PM on June 16, 2011
This will be great until the Burj Khalifa opens a Skywalk, then the CN Tower will have to find some other BS that it's the tallest of.
posted by krunk at 5:57 PM on June 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by krunk at 5:57 PM on June 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
modernnomad: "175 seems excessive."
No, no, it is excessive.
posted by bwg at 5:58 PM on June 16, 2011
No, no, it is excessive.
posted by bwg at 5:58 PM on June 16, 2011
So I'm hoping that they're going to do something with the random girders lying on the path before this opens to the public.
posted by sevenyearlurk at 6:02 PM on June 16, 2011 [6 favorites]
posted by sevenyearlurk at 6:02 PM on June 16, 2011 [6 favorites]
No, sir. I don't like it.
posted by Bummus at 6:02 PM on June 16, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Bummus at 6:02 PM on June 16, 2011 [2 favorites]
My palms got sweaty just reading the words "CN Tower" and "Edge" and "Walk" in the same sentence. In fact, I'm having trouble typing, what with the heart palpitations and all. I think I'll go lie down now. On the firm, firm, unmoving ground.
posted by DU at 6:04 PM on June 16, 2011 [7 favorites]
posted by DU at 6:04 PM on June 16, 2011 [7 favorites]
DU: "My palms got sweaty just reading the words "CN Tower" and "Edge" and "Walk" in the same sentence. In fact, I'm having trouble typing, what with the heart palpitations and all. I think I'll go lie down now. On the firm, firm, unmoving ground."
That's exactly the reason I included the 'sweatypalms' tag.
Gawd.
posted by bwg at 6:06 PM on June 16, 2011
That's exactly the reason I included the 'sweatypalms' tag.
Gawd.
posted by bwg at 6:06 PM on June 16, 2011
I'd pay it. With a check. Then I'd unhook myself. The look on their faces would be priceless! Good luck cashing that check now, suckers! That's going to be in probate for years!
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 6:08 PM on June 16, 2011 [24 favorites]
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 6:08 PM on June 16, 2011 [24 favorites]
For $175, they better let me spit and throw pennies.
posted by ryanrs at 6:10 PM on June 16, 2011 [7 favorites]
posted by ryanrs at 6:10 PM on June 16, 2011 [7 favorites]
Honestly the way everyone was reacting to it, I thought it was going be like the one with the guys doing pull-ups off the crane.* The CN tower walk actually looks pretty fun, but $175? Just for that? That's insane.
*Don't say I didn't warn you.
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 6:11 PM on June 16, 2011 [7 favorites]
*Don't say I didn't warn you.
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 6:11 PM on June 16, 2011 [7 favorites]
ryanrs: "For $175, they better let me spit and throw pennies."
It's hands free, so you could always try taking a leak. Just don't pee into the wind.
posted by bwg at 6:12 PM on June 16, 2011
It's hands free, so you could always try taking a leak. Just don't pee into the wind.
posted by bwg at 6:12 PM on June 16, 2011
I would totally do this, but probably not for CDN$175. It' s about as safe as a thing like this can be. It's not a roller coaster or some uppy-downy thing trying to scare you, it's just being really high up with no guard rail, and a safety harness in case you do something stupid or the wind catches you or whatever.
Unfortunately, it's probably $175 to cover the insurance in case someone deliberately unclips their own harness or a pelican bites the lanyard in half or whatever.
posted by localroger at 6:12 PM on June 16, 2011
Unfortunately, it's probably $175 to cover the insurance in case someone deliberately unclips their own harness or a pelican bites the lanyard in half or whatever.
posted by localroger at 6:12 PM on June 16, 2011
Since these went up a few weeks ago, I've been a little creeped out whenever I see the tower. Looks like insectoid antennae.
posted by yellowbinder at 6:16 PM on June 16, 2011
posted by yellowbinder at 6:16 PM on June 16, 2011
It's hands free, so you could always try taking a leak. Just don't pee into the wind.
Take two poops, one leak, cut the cheese, and then jump.
Sorry. My mind has apparently cataloged all the B&B episodes for just such moments when a reference is appropriate.
posted by chambers at 6:17 PM on June 16, 2011 [3 favorites]
Take two poops, one leak, cut the cheese, and then jump.
Sorry. My mind has apparently cataloged all the B&B episodes for just such moments when a reference is appropriate.
posted by chambers at 6:17 PM on June 16, 2011 [3 favorites]
Yeah I'm all ready to do this, but the price is absurd. I suppose it's all going towards insurance in case the strap breaks and you plummet to your death.
posted by zardoz at 6:18 PM on June 16, 2011
posted by zardoz at 6:18 PM on June 16, 2011
And to think that they fenced in the Bloor Street Viaduct because it was a suicide magnet...
posted by Capt. Renault at 6:23 PM on June 16, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Capt. Renault at 6:23 PM on June 16, 2011 [2 favorites]
I doubt it's the insurance. Tandem skydiving costs less.
posted by ryanrs at 6:24 PM on June 16, 2011
posted by ryanrs at 6:24 PM on June 16, 2011
this looks awesome. iirc it was like $75 to harness up and walk over the purple people bridge (newport to cincinnati) back when you could still do that
posted by toodleydoodley at 6:25 PM on June 16, 2011
posted by toodleydoodley at 6:25 PM on June 16, 2011
For $175 I could buy four beers at a Blue Jays game.
posted by rocket88 at 6:29 PM on June 16, 2011 [6 favorites]
posted by rocket88 at 6:29 PM on June 16, 2011 [6 favorites]
For $175 I could have $175.
posted by TwelveTwo at 6:35 PM on June 16, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by TwelveTwo at 6:35 PM on June 16, 2011 [3 favorites]
For $175 I could buy four beers at a Blue Jays game.
For $185, you could buy four beers at the Beer Store, go up the CN Tower, and take a piss on a Jays game.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 6:39 PM on June 16, 2011 [4 favorites]
For $185, you could buy four beers at the Beer Store, go up the CN Tower, and take a piss on a Jays game.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 6:39 PM on June 16, 2011 [4 favorites]
I watched that because I needed an instant and instantaneous headache and overwhelming nausea. There was a thrill there to be sought and I sought it. I'm going to take some pills now but then I'm going to do it again. Fullscreen.
posted by tigrefacile at 6:42 PM on June 16, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by tigrefacile at 6:42 PM on June 16, 2011 [2 favorites]
They charge $35 just to take the elevator up to the observation deck, so $175 to do a lap outside isn't crazy. The Sydney harbour bridge walk is about $200.
posted by krunk at 6:50 PM on June 16, 2011
posted by krunk at 6:50 PM on June 16, 2011
Look at the bright side: For $175 you could have bought one fiftieth of a ticket for yesterday's seventh game of the Stanley Cup.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 6:51 PM on June 16, 2011
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 6:51 PM on June 16, 2011
FAMOUS MONSTER, I was just gonna point to that same clip, which I recall seeing here on the Blue a year or so ago. My hands literally start dripping sweat every time I watch it. Balls of Steel. (brain of crazy)
posted by ShutterBun at 7:05 PM on June 16, 2011
posted by ShutterBun at 7:05 PM on June 16, 2011
I totally thought the first guy was going to step on the second guy's hands.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 7:11 PM on June 16, 2011
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 7:11 PM on June 16, 2011
Those who just watched the first link need to click the second and look at the pictures.
how does the latch system work while still allowing them to slide past the supporting poles?
Canadian Black Magic.
posted by dobbs at 7:11 PM on June 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
how does the latch system work while still allowing them to slide past the supporting poles?
Canadian Black Magic.
posted by dobbs at 7:11 PM on June 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
So you have to be in Toronto, pay 175 dollars and walk around for 20-30 minutes? Meh...
posted by SpaceWarp13 at 7:11 PM on June 16, 2011
posted by SpaceWarp13 at 7:11 PM on June 16, 2011
AHHHH FAMOUS MONSTER, why the fuck did I watch that. It's videos like that pull-up guy on the crane that makes me think we should license breeding and reproduction on this planet.
posted by Fizz at 7:13 PM on June 16, 2011
posted by Fizz at 7:13 PM on June 16, 2011
About a week ago I wrote an article offering some extended context for how EdgeWalk fits into the contemporary skyline of Toronto. [apologies for the self/link]
I wish I had known then how terribly ugly their modifications to the pod exterior were going to be when viewing the tower at middle distance. This is not because I in any way cheer-lead the attraction in the article, but because the aesthetic problems with it are too glaring to ignore.
While at close range it looks fine enough, and the sight of people walking around up there will be reasonably amusing, things rapidly go bad as you get further away. At a kilometer away, the tethering ring is no longer discernible, but you can still see the struts that support it, making the top of the pod look like it has a stubbley eyelash. It looks embarrassingly bad.
posted by waterunderground at 7:17 PM on June 16, 2011
I wish I had known then how terribly ugly their modifications to the pod exterior were going to be when viewing the tower at middle distance. This is not because I in any way cheer-lead the attraction in the article, but because the aesthetic problems with it are too glaring to ignore.
While at close range it looks fine enough, and the sight of people walking around up there will be reasonably amusing, things rapidly go bad as you get further away. At a kilometer away, the tethering ring is no longer discernible, but you can still see the struts that support it, making the top of the pod look like it has a stubbley eyelash. It looks embarrassingly bad.
posted by waterunderground at 7:17 PM on June 16, 2011
My favourite part is the random tripping hazards.
I wish the camera had looked out over the view a few times and not just down.
Really, if your field of vision is going to be narrowed to the catwalk and a business dude with an ass harness, there are places you can get a similar experience at the same price at street level.
posted by Sallyfur at 7:39 PM on June 16, 2011
I wish the camera had looked out over the view a few times and not just down.
Really, if your field of vision is going to be narrowed to the catwalk and a business dude with an ass harness, there are places you can get a similar experience at the same price at street level.
posted by Sallyfur at 7:39 PM on June 16, 2011
Man, they all look like Bay St suits to me. Check out the expensive footwear.
posted by scruss at 7:40 PM on June 16, 2011
posted by scruss at 7:40 PM on June 16, 2011
I guess I can add this to my list of things I will never do.
posted by bigbigdog at 7:47 PM on June 16, 2011
posted by bigbigdog at 7:47 PM on June 16, 2011
I'd love to do this. Unfortunately, that's half a paycheck.
posted by thsmchnekllsfascists at 7:48 PM on June 16, 2011
posted by thsmchnekllsfascists at 7:48 PM on June 16, 2011
Wow, watch the first clip where they're all strapped in and protected... then check out the girlfriend step out onto the ledge in the Dar Robinson clip (1:00-1:45). That scared me.
posted by pjenks at 7:50 PM on June 16, 2011
posted by pjenks at 7:50 PM on June 16, 2011
I kept waiting for someone to kick off one of those beams. Oops, ha ha!
posted by fleetmouse at 7:57 PM on June 16, 2011
posted by fleetmouse at 7:57 PM on June 16, 2011
That reminds me of this free-climb up a transmission tower
posted by hubs at 8:47 PM on June 16, 2011
posted by hubs at 8:47 PM on June 16, 2011
guys doing pull-ups off the crane
The scariest thing about that video was seeing how bad that second guy was at pull-ups. You think you'd want to be able to crank out at least 10 fairly quickly and with the chin over the bar before you start doing them in a life threatening situation.
posted by zephyr_words at 9:04 PM on June 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
The scariest thing about that video was seeing how bad that second guy was at pull-ups. You think you'd want to be able to crank out at least 10 fairly quickly and with the chin over the bar before you start doing them in a life threatening situation.
posted by zephyr_words at 9:04 PM on June 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
When I was first told about this the other day strolling through Chinatown I wondered aloud about the vomit factor but concluded that by the time it got to ground, if at all, it would be, at most, a fine mist. Too pricey for me but I understand people buy phones and clothes and dinners for even more.
posted by juiceCake at 9:05 PM on June 16, 2011
posted by juiceCake at 9:05 PM on June 16, 2011
I would bike on a path that wide with or without a harness if it wasn't too windy, but it'd be more fun to walk anyway. I can't really look around while biking.
So I'm hoping that they're going to do something with the random girders lying on the path before this opens to the public.
I know, right? The temptation to try to throw one through the roof of the SkyDome like a giant lawn dart is intense.
posted by loquacious at 9:08 PM on June 16, 2011
So I'm hoping that they're going to do something with the random girders lying on the path before this opens to the public.
I know, right? The temptation to try to throw one through the roof of the SkyDome like a giant lawn dart is intense.
posted by loquacious at 9:08 PM on June 16, 2011
I wondered aloud about the vomit factor but concluded that by the time it got to ground, if at all, it would be, at most, a fine mist.
Depends on the chunkiness coefficient, I think. Certainly worthy of study.
posted by Camofrog at 9:16 PM on June 16, 2011
Depends on the chunkiness coefficient, I think. Certainly worthy of study.
posted by Camofrog at 9:16 PM on June 16, 2011
I'd pay it and try to fall off on purpose while still being strapped in. I always put faith in my equipment. Think the cord is enough to let my feet dangle over the edge?
posted by furtive at 9:29 PM on June 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by furtive at 9:29 PM on June 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
Good thing the CN Tower isn't in Vancouver, or else they'd be throwing burning cars off of it! AMIRITE!
posted by Mister Fabulous at 9:58 PM on June 16, 2011
posted by Mister Fabulous at 9:58 PM on June 16, 2011
I question the utility of those helmets.
posted by ceribus peribus at 10:08 PM on June 16, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by ceribus peribus at 10:08 PM on June 16, 2011 [4 favorites]
Just thinking about this makes me want to void my bowels.
posted by stinkycheese at 1:10 AM on June 17, 2011
posted by stinkycheese at 1:10 AM on June 17, 2011
It's hands free, so you could always try taking a leak.
I'm quite certain I wouldn't have a choice in the matter. In fact, I believe the $175 splits like this:
$50 insurance
$50 towards maintainence of the "attraction"
$75 to the poor bugger who has to hang around up there all day, cleaning up after each customer.
posted by vanar sena at 2:59 AM on June 17, 2011
I'm quite certain I wouldn't have a choice in the matter. In fact, I believe the $175 splits like this:
$50 insurance
$50 towards maintainence of the "attraction"
$75 to the poor bugger who has to hang around up there all day, cleaning up after each customer.
posted by vanar sena at 2:59 AM on June 17, 2011
My dad and brother went up the tower of York Minster, which entailed walking out across the roof on a ledge less than five feet wide (from the pictures, I think part of it is fenced and part of it isn't). My mother wouldn't let me go on the (fairly reasonable) grounds that I am scared of heights. (I can't even walk round the city walls in York without getting scared, but I've done it multiple times. I had to hold my friend's hand to get up the Reichstag Dome.) I've always been slightly put out that she wouldn't let me do it, but then I see the pictures and panic a bit.
Same thing with this. If I somehow had the money to burn, there's a part of me thinking "I could totally do this. It wouldn't be as bad as repelling. I'll do it just to prove I can." and another part thinking "Instant death! Instant death!" It looks like they're erecting some kind of barrier, though. There are those random sticking out poles that look like they're for a barrier (and some barrier at the beginning), plus they're stepping over girders or whatever.
posted by hoyland at 4:26 AM on June 17, 2011
Same thing with this. If I somehow had the money to burn, there's a part of me thinking "I could totally do this. It wouldn't be as bad as repelling. I'll do it just to prove I can." and another part thinking "Instant death! Instant death!" It looks like they're erecting some kind of barrier, though. There are those random sticking out poles that look like they're for a barrier (and some barrier at the beginning), plus they're stepping over girders or whatever.
posted by hoyland at 4:26 AM on June 17, 2011
I would totally do that, looks like a blast.
posted by octothorpe at 4:36 AM on June 17, 2011
posted by octothorpe at 4:36 AM on June 17, 2011
The Macau Tower Skywalk is much nicer as it doesn't have the spines jutting out from the side; it's just pure open space.
It's still pretty damned high no matter what. But if I had to choose I would do the mast climb instead.
Because I'd have something to grab onto.
posted by bwg at 5:33 AM on June 17, 2011
It's still pretty damned high no matter what. But if I had to choose I would do the mast climb instead.
Because I'd have something to grab onto.
posted by bwg at 5:33 AM on June 17, 2011
You think they'd still let you do it if you showed up wearing a cape?
posted by orme at 6:00 AM on June 17, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by orme at 6:00 AM on June 17, 2011 [3 favorites]
$175 seems reasonable to me.
posted by jeffamaphone at 8:44 AM on June 17, 2011
posted by jeffamaphone at 8:44 AM on June 17, 2011
Yesyesyes.
posted by robstercraw at 9:55 AM on June 17, 2011
posted by robstercraw at 9:55 AM on June 17, 2011
Some friends and I have discussed doing this, but at $175? No way. I'd do it for $50-75. Of course, back when I worked at First Canadian Place in 2005, we realized that if you went into the fire stairs, and went right up to the top, you could actually get out onto the roof. The view was SPECTACULAR. Sure, not as high as the CN Tower (only 298m/978ft) but no safety harnesses and no guard rails to speak of. We went up there the day of the Air France Flight 358 incident, you could see the smoke from the airport (roughly 30km away) up there.
So I'm hoping that they're going to do something with the random girders lying on the path before this opens to the public.
On this youtube link (same video, but posted by CanadaLands, so I'm guessing it's the authoritative source?) also has the note: "The harnesses and construction in this video are not indicative of the final EdgeWalk attraction."
posted by antifuse at 10:35 AM on June 17, 2011
So I'm hoping that they're going to do something with the random girders lying on the path before this opens to the public.
On this youtube link (same video, but posted by CanadaLands, so I'm guessing it's the authoritative source?) also has the note: "The harnesses and construction in this video are not indicative of the final EdgeWalk attraction."
posted by antifuse at 10:35 AM on June 17, 2011
$175 ??? I could go to a bar and gave 35 beers for that!
posted by Ad hominem at 11:11 AM on June 17, 2011
posted by Ad hominem at 11:11 AM on June 17, 2011
I have done the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. But I would not do this.
Let me back up.
I went to visit a Sydneysider friend in 2000. Before I arrived, she signed us up for the bridge climb for the first morning I was to wake up there. She reassured me that her boyfriend's parents had done it.
She failed to tell me that they were adventure travelers.
Anyway, when she suggested it, I assumed we'd be climbing up a bunch of stairs in one of the bridge pillars...something akin to trekking up the steps inside the Washington Monument or the Statue of Liberty. Not so. You traverse a series of gratings and ladders, and eventually climb along the arch of the bridge, traverse the top, and come down the arch on the other side.
Not only am I absolutely petrified of heights, but I get furious vertigo merely standing near a sealed window on an upper floor of a tallish building, and open space below my feet magnifies it about a hundredfold. So this excursion seemed purpose-built to extract the maximum amount of terror from me at every turn.
I did survive the experience, obviously. And I have a lovely keepsake photograph of me and my friend at the top of the bridge...with my hands around her throat.
It was the only point during the whole ordeal that I let go of the railings.
posted by jocelmeow at 2:12 PM on June 17, 2011 [3 favorites]
Let me back up.
I went to visit a Sydneysider friend in 2000. Before I arrived, she signed us up for the bridge climb for the first morning I was to wake up there. She reassured me that her boyfriend's parents had done it.
She failed to tell me that they were adventure travelers.
Anyway, when she suggested it, I assumed we'd be climbing up a bunch of stairs in one of the bridge pillars...something akin to trekking up the steps inside the Washington Monument or the Statue of Liberty. Not so. You traverse a series of gratings and ladders, and eventually climb along the arch of the bridge, traverse the top, and come down the arch on the other side.
Not only am I absolutely petrified of heights, but I get furious vertigo merely standing near a sealed window on an upper floor of a tallish building, and open space below my feet magnifies it about a hundredfold. So this excursion seemed purpose-built to extract the maximum amount of terror from me at every turn.
I did survive the experience, obviously. And I have a lovely keepsake photograph of me and my friend at the top of the bridge...with my hands around her throat.
It was the only point during the whole ordeal that I let go of the railings.
posted by jocelmeow at 2:12 PM on June 17, 2011 [3 favorites]
It's not scary if it's something you can do without ruining your nice, clean business suit.
posted by Eideteker at 1:16 AM on June 19, 2011
posted by Eideteker at 1:16 AM on June 19, 2011
On the contrary, if it's scary, you're almost guaranteed to ruin your nice, [no longer] clean business suit.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 1:53 AM on June 19, 2011
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 1:53 AM on June 19, 2011
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