UKH

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) -- A French urban climber who calls himself Spiderman climbed to the top of the world's tallest building on Saturday -- Taipei 101.

http://us.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/12/25/taiwan.spiderman.ap/index.html

In reply to Jenn:

By the sound of it he was climbing it officially as part of the opening celebrations. Presumably that's why he had a rope too. Still, a novel way to open a new building.

CCW

In reply to Jenn:

Alain Robert may climb buildings, but he's hardly what I would call a urban climber.

In reply to Jus:

But what's he done on grit

Sorry!

In reply to Jenn: Thats quite a long toprope!!!!

In reply to Chris Fryer:

His mates just happened to have a 1700ft rope hanging around...

In reply to Jus:

Brings a new meaning to taking in the slack!

In reply to Chris Fryer: So there's a true First Ascent to be had then, as this doesn't count does it?

8^)

Bloody topropers, I bet it's polished already!

Isn't it amazing how the presence of a toprope in the picture has the effect of making even amazing 'superclimbers' like Alain look like a punter!!

The article claims:

"... [H]e's climbed many of the world's tallest structures without the use of a rope..."

Do they mean without the use of a top rope - or were they complete solos?



Oh and – wouldn’t it get a bit monotonous?

In reply to Jenn: I think it is a complete solo, with no rope. At least in the documentries I have seen him climbing in, and piccies of him, he doesn't have any rope at all.

In reply to Jenn: wat a girl using a rope

In reply to Allan Thomson:

I haven't seen any other pictures. I wonder why he went from a complete solo - to a toprope?

In reply to Nicolas Duboust:

Well if you can top it - go ahead

In reply to Jenn:

more about the guy here:

http://www.alainrobert.com/

In reply to Jenn:

the danish webpage where i read saw pictures off it, wrote he climbed it without use of any ropes but showed the picture of him with a toperope...................
maybe they just put up the rope to lower him back down.

In reply to Jus:

Cheers!

In reply to Jenn:

And here is our hero climbing Canary Wharf...

http://www.flumps.org/funny/climb-cw/

In reply to Jus:

Well it doesn't look like he has a rope... ?

In reply to Jenn:

you planning to start climbing towers jenn??

In reply to Jenn:

Did I say that he did?

In reply to Jenn:

I would imagine that was more to do with the company that owns the building - they probably put that in to the contract.

Still it does rather spoil the effect, I mean it looks like he is a punter hanging on a rope, as opposed to the hard climber we all know he is.

I suppose another possible reason is because of the height of the building - perhaps he felt getting pumped was much more of a possibilty on it?

I suppose only he can tell us why he used a rope. Personally I would go for the company explanation.

In reply to mik:

Err - I'm finding indoor bouldering dangerous

In reply to Jus:

No - sorry - didn't mean it that way!

I just was wondering myself - does he normally do it free climbing or free soloing?

In reply to Allan Thomson:

All true - I'm just suprised he didn't lead it - I can see a few good cam placements

In reply to Jenn:

Did you look on his website? Not a rope in sight!

To be honest, what you're talking about is the first time I've seen a photo of him with a rope. :oO

In reply to Jenn:

aint that because you think of the roof falling down on your all the time?

Start doing buildings then you will only fall on to the roof.

In reply to mik:

Well there is a lack of rock in London

In reply to Jenn:

i heard they have plenty of buildings in London, also remember som tower like thing with a clock at the top from my visit there 13 years ago, maybe try that one if it hasnt fallen down since.

In reply to mik:

That was London Bridge that fell down

In reply to Jenn:

then its still there for you to climb :0)

also for a real challenge i know corus redcar have a nice 125m crag (some call it chimney) but dont use the ladder running up its side that would be cheating.

In reply to Jenn:

u sure it fell down and aint falling?

if your sure the melody i learned in school is all wrong.

In reply to mik:

Heehee - no I think you are right

In reply to Jenn: Well this guy has soloed 8a/b - doubt it was on grit though (therefore doesn't really count)

In reply to Laurie Rogerson:

Good one!