Yet Another Cycling Forum

Random Musings => Gallery => OT Gallery => Topic started by: Riggers on 20 January, 2011, 03:34:34 pm

Title: Never in a million years…
Post by: Riggers on 20 January, 2011, 03:34:34 pm
Stuff that leaves one with sweaty palms…


(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/Riggers_1956/HighJump.png)

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/Riggers_1956/MountainWalk.jpg)

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/Riggers_1956/HowOnEarth.jpg)

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/Riggers_1956/DontLookDown.jpg)

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/Riggers_1956/2Moutaineers.jpg)

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/Riggers_1956/Climber.png)

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/Riggers_1956/KayakinHell.png)

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/Riggers_1956/Twister.png)

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/Riggers_1956/ChapWave.jpg)
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: toekneep on 21 January, 2011, 05:43:04 pm
Nice. Thanks.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: TimO on 21 January, 2011, 05:48:06 pm
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/Riggers_1956/HowOnEarth.jpg)

Yikes!

What you wonder about that photo, is if they got to a point where the "road" was too narrow to even keep the wheel that far on, how would they reverse out! (Yes, I know, very carefully).
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 21 January, 2011, 09:31:37 pm
All of those terrify me just looking at them, except the bottom one which looks like the most fun ever.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: border-rider on 21 January, 2011, 09:41:36 pm
The all scare the bejebus out of me except the twister one.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Wowbagger on 21 January, 2011, 09:43:21 pm
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/Riggers_1956/HowOnEarth.jpg)

They didn't even want to go that way. They just had to overtake a cyclist.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Salvatore on 23 January, 2011, 04:24:42 pm
How did he get there? (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hansvandevorst/216200392/in/photostream/)

How he got back part 1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hansvandevorst/216877526/in/photostream/)

How he got back part 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hansvandevorst/217713707/in/photostream/)

So very close to a Darwin Award.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: teethgrinder on 23 January, 2011, 05:21:44 pm
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/Riggers_1956/HowOnEarth.jpg)

They didn't even want to go that way. They just had to overtake a cyclist.

I was thinking, "Another sat-nav victim."
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: toekneep on 23 January, 2011, 07:01:06 pm
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/Riggers_1956/HowOnEarth.jpg)

They didn't even want to go that way. They just had to overtake a cyclist.

.. or followed the SATNAV.

/Satnav voice

Now turn right
 ;D
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: rogerzilla on 23 January, 2011, 09:13:29 pm
I've posted this one before.

http://www.tommarsland.com/images/lighthouse-wave.jpg
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: longers on 25 January, 2011, 12:49:50 pm
How did he get there? (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hansvandevorst/216200392/in/photostream/)

How he got back part 1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hansvandevorst/216877526/in/photostream/)

How he got back part 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hansvandevorst/217713707/in/photostream/)

So very close to a Darwin Award.

That has made me feel ill. I expect he'd think I was a bit soft for worrying about it.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Panoramix on 08 February, 2011, 01:05:52 pm
I've posted this one before.

http://www.tommarsland.com/images/lighthouse-wave.jpg

This is the phare de la Jument, the guy got out thinking that it was a rescue heliciopter when in fact it was the photograph coming in.

La Jument - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Jument)

It is in Ushant, a beautiful place in a wild way and well preserved because it is relatively tricky to navigate there.

In 1940 when De Gaulle called for people to join the free forces, all the men from Ushant crossed the channel leaving women and children live there on their own. As they were first apparently De gaulle said "I did not know that France was just Ushant".
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Wobbly John on 08 February, 2011, 08:03:52 pm
All of those terrify me just looking at them, except the bottom one which looks like the most fun ever.

I got pounded into the sea-bed by 3 breakers in a row, once - and couldn't get to the surface for air. The panic that you might not survive another 'cycle of the washing machine' if you can't grab a breath before the fourth wave hits, is NOT fun.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: andygates on 08 February, 2011, 08:43:41 pm
Twister fun!  Surf, um, fun-ish!  Hike slope jollity! 

Corniche ridge of mere-luck not-deadness TERROR.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: redshift on 08 February, 2011, 08:49:15 pm
Video, not photo, but sent to me yesterday:

http://www.liveleak.com/e/07b_1284580365

(Comms engineer with headcam climbs comms tower with no safety harness.  There doesn't appear to be an emoticon here for ring-clenching terror).
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Andrew Br on 08 February, 2011, 09:31:18 pm
Video, not photo, but sent to me yesterday:

http://www.liveleak.com/e/07b_1284580365

(Comms engineer with headcam climbs comms tower with no safety harness.  There doesn't appear to be an emoticon here for ring-clenching terror).

 :o :o :o :o
I was alternately feeling dizzy and sick and my testes have retracted rather a long way. I'm still swallowing to try to get them to return to their rightful place1.
I had to stop watching when he reached the naked antenna.

1 Sorry if that is either TMI or too gender specific.

Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 February, 2011, 10:02:52 pm
It is in Ushant, a beautiful place in a wild way and well preserved because it is relatively tricky to navigate there.

In 1940 when De Gaulle called for people to join the free forces, all the men from Ushant crossed the channel leaving women and children live there on their own. As they were first apparently De gaulle said "I did not know that France was just Ushant".
<Sings>From Ushant to Scilly is 35 miles</sings>
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: David Martin on 09 February, 2011, 10:05:58 am
It is in Ushant, a beautiful place in a wild way and well preserved because it is relatively tricky to navigate there.

In 1940 when De Gaulle called for people to join the free forces, all the men from Ushant crossed the channel leaving women and children live there on their own. As they were first apparently De gaulle said "I did not know that France was just Ushant".
<Sings>From Ushant to Scilly is 35 milesleagues</sings>
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 February, 2011, 08:06:09 pm
Thank you.  :-[
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Riggers on 11 February, 2011, 12:26:20 pm
"Nother one. Where did the scaffolding go!?

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/Riggers_1956/Scarybridge.png)
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: TimO on 19 February, 2011, 11:13:51 pm
That bridge reminded me of this one, which is part of the Caminito del Rey (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Camino_del_Rey).  Watching the video, I'm just gobsmacked that anyone could walk that route, let alone videoing it whilst they walk!

(http://jakal.sp.ph.ic.ac.uk/~timo/CaminitoDelReyBridge.jpg)
Click for YouTube video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrN6PzhiyWo)
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 20 February, 2011, 01:08:31 pm
All of those terrify me just looking at them, except the bottom one which looks like the most fun ever.

I got pounded into the sea-bed by 3 breakers in a row, once - and couldn't get to the surface for air. The panic that you might not survive another 'cycle of the washing machine' if you can't grab a breath before the fourth wave hits, is NOT fun.

I'm sure you're right, but if I had to pick one of those photos to be my method of death, it'd be that one because at least it would be fun for a while.  ;D
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: tonycollinet on 26 February, 2011, 09:24:55 pm
That bridge reminded me of this one, which is part of the Caminito del Rey (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Camino_del_Rey).  Watching the video, I'm just gobsmacked that anyone could walk that route, let alone videoing it whilst they walk!

(http://jakal.sp.ph.ic.ac.uk/~timo/CaminitoDelReyBridge.jpg)
Click for YouTube video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrN6PzhiyWo)

I'd be on my hands and knees most of the way round that.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 March, 2011, 01:09:25 pm
It looks scary but ok - until they get to the bits where the concrete has crumbled. then you know that the whole path could potentially go with the next footstep.

 :hand:

I'd like to know how it was built. Quite a feat of construction.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: TimO on 04 March, 2011, 02:17:57 pm
Some of the history of it is on Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caminito_del_Rey).
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Riggers on 24 May, 2011, 04:08:25 pm
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/Riggers_1956/Goodnessme1.jpg)

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/Riggers_1956/Goodnessme2.jpg)
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: perpetual dan on 24 May, 2011, 09:08:29 pm
Missed this before. I've walked down a via ferrata in the Pyrenees, alone, at the end of quite a hot day. Not too bad if you're careful - and I'm not keen on the very exposed climbs in today's pictures.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Mike r on 24 May, 2011, 09:21:29 pm
I've been in similar situations to many of the climbing/mountaineering shots...
It's never comfortable but always exciting. Quite often I regretted going there until the next day when we told others about how tough it was :)
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Riggers on 01 June, 2011, 04:48:32 pm
Well, at least she's got sensible boots on:

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/Riggers_1956/Sensibleboots.jpg)
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: David Martin on 01 June, 2011, 05:09:37 pm
Well, at least she's got sensible boots on:

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/Riggers_1956/Sensibleboots.jpg)

Yosemite?

Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Riggers on 01 June, 2011, 05:24:57 pm
No, it's not Guess the place you daft bugger.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Jaded on 01 June, 2011, 07:07:57 pm
Well, at least she's got sensible boots on:

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/Riggers_1956/Sensibleboots.jpg)

Yosemite?



I take it you would?
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: TimO on 01 June, 2011, 08:02:52 pm
Well, at least she's got sensible boots on:

...

Yosemite?


I take it you would?

I very well (Yose)mite. ;D
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Cyclops on 06 June, 2011, 04:28:27 pm
Ok, this is a video but you can't help admire this guy's fearlessness as well as fitness.

Youtube - Ueli Steck Eiger climb (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-dPjDYVKUY&feature=youtu.be)
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: jogler on 06 June, 2011, 04:34:33 pm
Well, at least she's got sensible boots on:

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/Riggers_1956/Sensibleboots.jpg)

Yosemite?



I take it you would?

yesemite
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Riggers on 06 June, 2011, 04:42:22 pm
Ok, this is a video but you can't help admire this guy's fearlessness as well as fitness.

Youtube - Ueli Steck Eiger climb (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-dPjDYVKUY&feature=youtu.be)

Thank you very much for that Cyclers. I could happily watch from a distance, but once the close camera angle kicked in, so did the sweaty palms in record time! Must be bonkers.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Panoramix on 08 June, 2011, 09:31:30 pm
If we can do videos:

Aconcagua Speed Flying on Vimeo (http://vimeo.com/1765056)
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: DaveJ on 08 June, 2011, 11:32:18 pm
How did he get there? (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hansvandevorst/216200392/in/photostream/)

How he got back part 1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hansvandevorst/216877526/in/photostream/)

How he got back part 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hansvandevorst/217713707/in/photostream/)

So very close to a Darwin Award.

Although maybe not quite as close as it looks

http://www.snopes.com/photos/natural/canyonleap.asp (http://www.snopes.com/photos/natural/canyonleap.asp)

Dave
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Riggers on 09 September, 2011, 12:11:53 pm
Sweaty palm time:

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/Riggers_1956/workers-on-empire-state-building-1931-3-520x643.jpg)
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Riggers on 27 September, 2011, 04:37:25 pm
Oh my Lord, that's gonna hurt…

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/Riggers_1956/Ouchsurfing.jpg)
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: clarion on 27 September, 2011, 04:39:27 pm
As usual, you post a photo with a pipe in it, I see! :D
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Riggers on 28 September, 2011, 09:12:39 am
Hey-hey! Boom-boom!
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: David Martin on 29 November, 2011, 11:47:20 pm
Looks like Norway but not juvdalsflyet (by Geiranger) or Prekestolen (on Hardangerfjord)

Edit: It is Trolltunga (the trolls tongue) near Kjerag, Norway http://www.flickr.com/photos/daniel8275/2180739003/ for the link.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: nmcgann on 30 November, 2011, 07:21:49 am
Video, not photo, but sent to me yesterday:

http://www.liveleak.com/e/07b_1284580365

(Comms engineer with headcam climbs comms tower with no safety harness.  There doesn't appear to be an emoticon here for ring-clenching terror).
That was terrifying. The "ladders" just kept getting less and less substantial.

It appears they were going to fix the flashing light on top :o
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Riggers on 30 November, 2011, 08:31:13 am
Thank you for that Nmcagafdnn-ers. This has been posted before and seen by many. I have to say, even watching 30 seconds into the video I had to stop. Sweaty palms …again! And I know worse is to come! I can't imagine for 1 minute that the tower remains perfectly still.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Pancho on 30 November, 2011, 09:05:05 am
That mast climbing one!

Sorry but I had to turn it off.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: a lower gear on 22 December, 2011, 07:01:29 pm
One of my other pastimes: surveying abandoned metal  mines.

(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/399559_179336788830662_100002630259861_281247_2142152450_n.jpg)

The hole is about 40 feet deep. The difficult part was putting in the steel spikes for the safety line.

(How do I post a decent-sized image?)
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Salvatore on 22 December, 2011, 07:15:36 pm
Cliffs of Moher. 600 ft above the sea.

(http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/sites/default/files/images/http-inlinethumb63.webshots.com-42430-2320113150104181437S600x600Q85.jpg)

http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/featured/most-terrifying-mountain-biking-trail-on-earth/8975?image=4
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Wombat on 07 June, 2012, 08:29:53 pm
Video, not photo, but sent to me yesterday:

http://www.liveleak.com/e/07b_1284580365

(Comms engineer with headcam climbs comms tower with no safety harness.  There doesn't appear to be an emoticon here for ring-clenching terror).

I forgot to go back and look at this one at the time, as it was blocked at work, but I have now... However much they pay that guy, its not enough.  Not even if you paid me £10million, I just could not do it.  I feel slightly sick, and I looked away a few times... my heart rate is not healthy right now, and I need a drink.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Kim on 08 June, 2012, 02:48:22 am
I've just watched several of the videos on that site, and learned random things about knots and RF engineering rather than going to bed.

Oops.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Peter on 08 June, 2012, 12:48:25 pm
Video, not photo, but sent to me yesterday:

http://www.liveleak.com/e/07b_1284580365

(Comms engineer with headcam climbs comms tower with no safety harness.  There doesn't appear to be an emoticon here for ring-clenching terror).

I forgot to go back and look at this one at the time, as it was blocked at work, but I have now... However much they pay that guy, its not enough.  Not even if you paid me £10million, I just could not do it.  I feel slightly sick, and I looked away a few times... my heart rate is not healthy right now, and I need a drink.

Wombat, that is staggering.  I found myself thinking, "Please let him be at the top now!".  It's the act of faith the gets me as much as the height.  I'd be thinking, "Am I going to grasp a Monday-morning spike and have it come away in my hand?" or "What if there's a peregrine falcon waiting to put my eye out over the next ledge?".  That's assuming I got above thirty feet, which I wouldn't.

Also, why were they protecting the second guy's anonymity?  Was it a flash-climb?  Most people would be watching through their fingers anyway!
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Jacomus on 08 June, 2012, 12:54:06 pm
Video, not photo, but sent to me yesterday:

http://www.liveleak.com/e/07b_1284580365

(Comms engineer with headcam climbs comms tower with no safety harness.  There doesn't appear to be an emoticon here for ring-clenching terror).

I forgot to go back and look at this one at the time, as it was blocked at work, but I have now... However much they pay that guy, its not enough.  Not even if you paid me £10million, I just could not do it.  I feel slightly sick, and I looked away a few times... my heart rate is not healthy right now, and I need a drink.

Wombat, that is staggering.  I found myself thinking, "Please let him be at the top now!".  It's the act of faith the gets me as much as the height.  I'd be thinking, "Am I going to grasp a Monday-morning spike and have it come away in my hand?" or "What if there's a peregrine falcon waiting to put my eye out over the next ledge?".  That's assuming I got above thirty feet, which I wouldn't.

Also, why were they protecting the second guy's anonymity?  Was it a flash-climb?  Most people would be watching through their fingers anyway!

No, they were engineers, however it was said that they feared for their jobs should their identities be revealed because they were not allowed to film it.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Peter on 08 June, 2012, 01:07:26 pm
Worried about their jobs?  You mean they could easily be replaced?!
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 08 June, 2012, 01:11:13 pm
Oddly enough, there are loads of people who would like to do that sort of work. Mostly from rock climbing community.

Once you are working more than a few hundred feet up, you are dead if you fall.

Not sure I'd go for the no harness thing, myself (not that I have a head for heights).
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Gareth Rees on 08 June, 2012, 01:32:15 pm
The reason why he doesn't use lanyards while climbing the mast is because of the time involved: at each step he'd have to move one or both of the lanyards. This would mean taking four times as long getting to the top and arriving there four times as tired, which would have its own safety implications. The only way the climber is going to fall is if he gets tired and loses concentration, so what he's doing is a reasonable trade-off.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Panoramix on 08 June, 2012, 01:43:12 pm
The reason why he doesn't use lanyards while climbing the mast is because of the time involved: at each step he'd have to move one or both of the lanyards. This would mean taking four times as long getting to the top and arriving there four times as tired, which would have its own safety implications. The only way the climber is going to fall is if he gets tired and loses concentration, so what he's doing is a reasonable trade-off.

Yes but they could install vertical cables to which he could clip his life line with some sort of fall arrester carabiner. That could even be used to suppoert the tool bag. With a bit of ingenuosity there is often a workable solution to these kind of issues.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: TimO on 08 June, 2012, 01:59:11 pm
Yes but they could install vertical cables to which he could clip his life line with some sort of fall arrester carabiner. That could even be used to suppoert the tool bag. With a bit of ingenuosity there is often a workable solution to these kind of issues.

You could now, but most of these structures have been around a long time, so such mods would be time consuming and expensive to install.  Only very occasionally is this sort of access needed, so as has been said, it's probably considered a reasonable compromise between speed and safety.

Oddly enough, with these sort of supposedly dangerous environments, the overall level of safety is often better than with more safety features added.  When you're doing something which is fundamentally dangerous like this, people are very careful, and this extends into elements not directly involved with what appears to be the dangerous stuff.  When live working on high-tension cables became more common (workmen wearing Faraday suits and so forth), they found that the overall level of accidents in this workplace dropped, because they became more careful about everything they did, not just the HT related stuff.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: jogler on 08 June, 2012, 04:00:22 pm
When I was last in hospital being shunted between cardiac & neurology,approx 10 years ago, I also spent some time on an orthopedic ward where I was adjacent to a bloke who had fell from a great height whilst working on a telecomms mast.
He had broken both arms & legs,ribs,had skull fracture & spinal damage.He was in for a long long long spell while they rebuilt him.
He was the most upbeat & positive chap I've ever met.He really did have that glad-to-be-alive attitude.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Panoramix on 08 June, 2012, 04:14:56 pm
You could now, but most of these structures have been around a long time, so such mods would be time consuming and expensive to install. 

It depends how much you value people lifes and anyway avoiding one fall is probably enough to justify the cost of fitting cables. H&S is a fine balance to find between prohibiting everything and seeing people loose their lives. Considering the cost of a mast like this, I don't think that a cable is an unreasonable expectation.

Even if you look at it from a pure business perspective, loosing people is more expensive than being on the cautious side. I was working for a company which lost an employee who was working in a (slightly?) questionable manner and it costed them dear in term of PI and hassle from HSE. I wouldn't like to be in front of a judge explaining why the company decided that it was OK to work without fall arrest. The fact that they aren't allowed to film tells a lot about their managers mindset.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 08 June, 2012, 04:27:04 pm
Pan, you are assuming that these people work for a large organisation.

They don't.

The 'no filming' bit was because they are contractors and were worried they would lose work if potential customers thought they were pratting about with cameras up the masts.

Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: TimO on 08 June, 2012, 04:28:29 pm
It depends how much you value people lifes ...

You always have to value life at some arbitrary value.  In this sort of scenario, it's potentially what it would cost you to rectify things at speed, and pay for a court case, and potential fine, in the case of a death, which could be a quite substantial amount of money.

(I think a fatality in a UK road incident is estimated to costs an average of around a million pounds, I would expect a higher figure for a fatality in this sort of case, largely because of it's relative unusualness).

Ultimately you always have to make some sort of judgement call on what is an adequate degree of safety.  I think with this case most of us would consider that climbing that sort of structure with no sort of fall arresting mechanism whatsoever is beyond that point, but I presume the gentleman in question didn't.

As I recall, and it was some time ago I looked this up, he was (is?) an independent contractor, so presumably working for the company that manages the mast, and left as being responsible for his own safety.  Now, strictly speaking in this sort of case, you can't say that it was entirely up to him to use an appropriate level of safety, and I'm pretty sure any court would find the management company at least partially liable in this case of a serious injury (or more likely fatality), regardless of the fact that the chap was working independently of their own management structures.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Jaded on 08 June, 2012, 04:38:44 pm
Give him a wire for the job and then let him kill himself on the way home on the motorway.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: rogerzilla on 08 June, 2012, 05:55:44 pm
I didn't find it that bad.  There are lots of things to hold onto and I assume they don't do it if it's in the least bit windy.  If you climb a biggish tree you're still likely to die if you fall off, and that has slippy branches which are definitely not designed with climbing in mind, and no option to hook yourself on for a breather.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Peter on 08 June, 2012, 08:15:51 pm
I didn't find it that bad.  There are lots of things to hold onto and I assume they don't do it if it's in the least bit windy.  If you climb a biggish tree you're still likely to die if you fall off, and that has slippy branches which are definitely not designed with climbing in mind, and no option to hook yourself on for a breather.

Roger, I think I'd find it harder than a tree.  I agree that after a certain height you are going to die anyway if you fall, but  you have so much longer for this to be the case on a massive climb.  These chaps were in deadly danger for a LONG time.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Jaded on 08 June, 2012, 11:11:52 pm
To be fair, Peter, we are all in deadly danger for 100% of our lives.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Peter on 08 June, 2012, 11:18:41 pm
JD, some deadly dangers are deadlier than others, as I know you know.  Working out the degrees is why actuaries are so well paid!
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Jaded on 08 June, 2012, 11:33:35 pm
Yeah, I know. But in my case no one would have thought of the deadly danger and the actuaries would have been wrong. On balance (apart from my fear of heights  ;D ) I'd have been better off up that tower without a cable. My crash was going to happen, it was just a case of when...
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 09 June, 2012, 01:27:41 pm
  These chaps were in deadly danger for a LONG time.
I take it you didn't listen to the audio?

Elevator to 1600 feet. Free climb for remaining 176ft.

They took a lot of breaks - presumably that's a professional thing rather than reflecting how quickly they tired.

The bit that really freaked me was when the first chap stood on the top - then let go with both hands while he untangled his clip-in strap.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Panoramix on 10 June, 2012, 02:55:23 pm
Yeah, I know. But in my case no one would have thought of the deadly danger and the actuaries would have been wrong. On balance (apart from my fear of heights  ;D ) I'd have been better off up that tower without a cable. My crash was going to happen, it was just a case of when...

Not really, safety is a case of attitude more than anything else and some people/organisations will have fall arrest provisions/bolts tightened others won't. Many trains will roll on a poorly secured rail, many technicians will get to the top of a transmission mast without proper fall arrest but if you think that trains shouldn't derail and people shouldn't fall from height, you need to have the right attitude as you can be sure that at some point murphy law will apply if you don't.

In a fisherman village close to St Malo there is a shrine that was built late 19th century to thank the virgin Mary for bringing back home everybody from Newfoundland at the end of the fishing season. So basically, the expectation was that men would be lost. At the time skippers would think that it was a good economy to minimise the number of maps brought onboard, dories would be sent out on a foggy day, meanwhile ocean liners were crossing the fishing zone full steam ahead with no visibility and eventually men would be lost at sea. When the inevitable accident was eventually happening, bad luck was invoked. Nowadays we have higher safety expectations and serioulsy I don't think that the owner of this transmission mast has a much better attitude than armators of fishing boats had a century ago.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: David Martin on 10 June, 2012, 03:16:02 pm
The systems would need to be retrofitted.
Your presumption is that fall arrest installations (eg cables) would survive in a workable condition, the risks of inspection and maintenance would be lower than the risk of not having any such system for the very few  times a technician needs to go up there.


Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Salvatore on 16 June, 2012, 06:42:44 am
Niagara Falls tightrope walk (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2012/jun/16/niagara-falls-tightrope-walk-pictures#/?picture=391719577&index=6)

Nik Wallenda. Without too much trouble you can find a video of his great-grandfather falling to his death.

Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: TimO on 16 June, 2012, 09:51:36 am
Interestingly, he was forced to wear a safety harness on that crossing, by ABC, who had paid for a fair amount of the setup.  Presumably they thought having someone die live on air would be bad coverage (although it does occur to me that the possibility would probably have increased their viewing figures).

He appears to have had continuous wireless comms during the event, and it looks like there's a remotely controlled camera on a parallel wire, in some of the photos.  That's slightly more technically advanced coverage than I suspect was ever done in the past, when people previously attempted to cross.

Apparently the authorities have said that they won't allow this sort of event more often than once every twenty years, so don't hold you breath waiting for someone else to attempt it!
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Panoramix on 16 June, 2012, 11:33:10 am
The systems would need to be retrofitted.
Your presumption is that fall arrest installations (eg cables) would survive in a workable condition, the risks of inspection and maintenance would be lower than the risk of not having any such system for the very few  times a technician needs to go up there.

That's a bit academic, if the risk of inspection is higher than the risk of climbing with no fall arrest, something is wrong. IRL you just make sure that anything you do is as safe as reasonably possible, inspections can be made by people climbing.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Panoramix on 16 June, 2012, 11:37:25 am
(http://img.new.livestream.com/events/0000000000007045/20c1d53e-0635-49a5-9ff7-7239874a500d_640x425.jpg)

Take a deep breath and hold tight!
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Kim on 16 June, 2012, 12:36:29 pm
The systems would need to be retrofitted.
Your presumption is that fall arrest installations (eg cables) would survive in a workable condition, the risks of inspection and maintenance would be lower than the risk of not having any such system for the very few  times a technician needs to go up there.

That's a bit academic, if the risk of inspection is higher than the risk of climbing with no fall arrest, something is wrong. IRL you just make sure that anything you do is as safe as reasonably possible, inspections can be made by people climbing.

People tend not to climb up these things without very good reason.  They have to switch the transmitters off first (the radiated power levels are hazardous up close and personal), and that's something you tend to avoid doing during the daytime for prolonged periods if at all possible.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: rogerzilla on 16 June, 2012, 01:18:36 pm
People tend not to climb up these things without very good reason.  They have to switch the transmitters off first (the radiated power levels are hazardous up close and personal), and that's something you tend to avoid doing during the daytime for prolonged periods if at all possible.
And deprive the masses of Jeremy Kyle?  Now that would be risky.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Kim on 16 June, 2012, 01:20:43 pm
Exactly.  It'd be zompocalypse lite faster than you can say "Peter Levy".
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: perpetual dan on 17 June, 2012, 10:52:02 am
Missed this before. I've walked down a via ferrata in the Pyrenees, alone, at the end of quite a hot day. Not too bad if you're careful - and I'm not keen on the very exposed climbs in today's pictures.

Found a photo of this earlier. I came down this valley as I'd run out of water after a long, hot, solo ridge walk. Looking at the map I reckon there was at least 4km of these little metal walk ways with a single rope along and crossing the gorge before I actually got to the water - and to firm enough ground to take a photo.

(http://blog.a-dan.me.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/pyrenees-viaferrata-203x300.jpg) (http://blog.a-dan.me.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/pyrenees-viaferrata.jpg)
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Nonsteeler on 17 June, 2012, 11:30:06 am
Yes but they could install vertical cables to which he could clip his life line with some sort of fall arrester carabiner. That could even be used to suppoert the tool bag. With a bit of ingenuosity there is often a workable solution to these kind of issues.

You could now, but most of these structures have been around a long time, so such mods would be time consuming and expensive to install.  Only very occasionally is this sort of access needed, so as has been said, it's probably considered a reasonable compromise between speed and safety.

Oddly enough, with these sort of supposedly dangerous environments, the overall level of safety is often better than with more safety features added.  When you're doing something which is fundamentally dangerous like this, people are very careful, and this extends into elements not directly involved with what appears to be the dangerous stuff. 

Same thoughts here. It seems lazy not to incorporate another layer of safety that is quick  and convenient. Redundant safety systems are a good practise where lives are at risk - so why not do it here? An auto belay comes to my mind, or a wire running parallel to the ladders combined  with Self Belaying Device. But hey, that's their life.

Also from the perspective of a rock climber,  they are most certainly not free climbing. One might classify it as 'free solo aid climbing' ...
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: TimO on 18 June, 2012, 09:49:08 am
What amuses me about Excalibur, is that whilst there are mounting points for safety ropes at the top, as far as I can see, the only way you can get there, to attach them, is to climb up the outside!
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: clarion on 18 June, 2012, 10:18:02 am
Crikey! :o
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Bledlow on 18 June, 2012, 10:36:45 am
Nothing natural to climb except trees for hundreds of km in any direction. You can see the landscape.

Groningen is in the NE Netherlands, which technically is not Holland - that's the bit where Amsterdam & Rotterdam are.  It's in the province of Groningen.  ;D
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 18 June, 2012, 01:48:14 pm
Groningen or Freisland?  I thought it was Freisland.

TimO, you wouldn't climb that hanging off a safety rope attached to the top, you'd climb it like a (bolted) cliff face, clipping in on the way up. If you fall off, you only fall twice as far as the height above the last clipping point.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Peter on 18 June, 2012, 01:51:36 pm
So that's ok, then!  I was in Groningen for a gig years ago.  They seemed to be able to build properly, then.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: TimO on 18 June, 2012, 08:57:39 pm
I was being a little facetious.  I imagine there's a lot of points to attach protection, although it's hard to see in the images I've looked at.  You wouldn't want to top rope the entire route, if nothing else you'd need a long rope to do it!

It looks like there are different coloured routes, distinguished by colouring the holds, which is quite neat.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 19 June, 2012, 10:51:51 am
I was being a little facetious.  I imagine there's a lot of points to attach protection, although it's hard to see in the images I've looked at.  You wouldn't want to top rope the entire route, if nothing else you'd need a long rope to do it!


Not that long.

I had to dig a bit to find info, but it turns out the photos are really deceptive. The tower is only 37m high.  So you could do it with a standard 45m rope and someone belaying from the top (probably designed with that in mind). I've done (a very long time ago) routes in the lakes that were 2.5pitches, so they'd dwarf the tower.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Peter on 19 June, 2012, 10:58:22 am
So that's ok, then!  I was in Groningen for a gig years ago.  They seemed to be able to build properly, then.


I was being a little facetious.  I imagine there's a lot of points to attach protection, although it's hard to see in the images I've looked at.  You wouldn't want to top rope the entire route, if nothing else you'd need a long rope to do it!

It looks like there are different coloured routes, distinguished by colouring the holds, which is quite neat.

So was I - I only meant it didn't seem very straight!  I know next to nothing about climbing, though I did a bit at Bosigran for my DofE a long time ago.  Enough though, to be mightily impressed by this stuff!
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: TimO on 19 June, 2012, 11:38:12 am
I had to dig a bit to find info, but it turns out the photos are really deceptive. ...

It's a bit like indoor ski slopes.  When you're at the top, they look quite a long way down, but when you actually use them, you're at the bottom in only a short time (and then have to get back up to the top again...).

Nature is far better at producing these large structure, ie mountains, than we can ever be!
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Oscar's dad on 19 June, 2012, 11:58:36 am
Video, not photo, but sent to me yesterday:

http://www.liveleak.com/e/07b_1284580365

(Comms engineer with headcam climbs comms tower with no safety harness.  There doesn't appear to be an emoticon here for ring-clenching terror).

 :o :o :o :o
I was alternately feeling dizzy and sick and my testes have retracted rather a long way. I'm still swallowing to try to get them to return to their rightful place1.
I had to stop watching when he reached the naked antenna.

1 Sorry if that is either TMI or too gender specific.

Ditto!  I think I can honestly say you couldn't pay me enough to do that.  That takes a very special person.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 26 June, 2012, 09:44:58 am
Is that second photo real?  I've seen films of people going over waterfalls, but never anything even half that height.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Steph on 27 June, 2012, 07:00:31 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25BnHVC5TQM&feature=fvwp
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: clifftaylor on 29 June, 2012, 09:29:22 pm
Or a lot longer than a million years. If you don't like heights, look away now

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N70DLM8Az_8&feature=player_detailpage
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 June, 2012, 10:14:14 pm
Wow! Well I could certainly never begin to do anything remotely like that, but it was fascinating to watch.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: LindaG on 29 June, 2012, 10:40:44 pm
Wow. What a fascinating piece of film - thanks cliff.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: clifftaylor on 30 June, 2012, 09:49:53 am
I first saw that film a couple of years ago, but the overhang sequences give me damp hands every time.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: jogler on 30 June, 2012, 12:46:37 pm
It's the sort of thing whereby you have to see it to believe that it's possible: & she makes it look straightforward :o
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: TimO on 30 June, 2012, 04:50:21 pm
I've seen that footage before, and it's the fairly casual way she hangs down from the overhangs, with a fall that would clearly kill her (even though many smaller ones likely would as well), which is what makes you nervous.  You need a massive amount of self confidence to do that sort of thing.  The jazz witch doctor is a little amusing though. :)

That film was made some time ago, she was born in 1960, so is into her early fifties now.  According to Wikipedia, she cut down on Solo climbs, is married now, and has a 16 year old son.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 June, 2012, 09:00:15 pm
Her hair style would suggest early 1980s  :D which would tally with her apparent age in the film if she was born in 1960.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: welshwheels on 06 July, 2012, 09:19:06 pm
DOES HE MAKE IT LOL

(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/419149_10151304564760319_1636546489_n.jpg)
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: LEE on 06 July, 2012, 10:00:19 pm
My Hero! Fred Dibnah.  All worth watching if you are interested in seeing someone really earn a living.

No safety ropes, ciggy in the mouth and a couple of pints for lunch.  What could possibly go wrong?

I think he's a legend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezX_o0H5FuE&feature=relmfu (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezX_o0H5FuE&feature=relmfu)

And don't forget...those ladders and platforms didn't attach themselves to the chimney, someone had to put them there.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F04dGK1_wYA&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F04dGK1_wYA&feature=related)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-a27xwcLfU&feature=relmfu (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-a27xwcLfU&feature=relmfu)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6W_7uIapoHc&feature=relmfu (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6W_7uIapoHc&feature=relmfu)
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: clifftaylor on 07 July, 2012, 10:07:54 am
Cor!! Health and Safety gone......well, just gone, really  :D
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Peter on 07 July, 2012, 10:17:10 am
My Hero! Fred Dibnah.  All worth watching if you are interested in seeing someone really earn a living.

No safety ropes, ciggy in the mouth and a couple of pints for lunch.  What could possibly go wrong?

I think he's a legend.

He was amazing wasn't he?  I think it's the bold that contributed to his demise.  So, don't smoke or drink without a safety harness.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Peter on 07 July, 2012, 10:20:18 am
My Hero! Fred Dibnah.  All worth watching if you are interested in seeing someone really earn a living.

No safety ropes, ciggy in the mouth and a couple of pints for lunch.  What could possibly go wrong?

I think he's a legend.


He was amazing wasn't he?  I think it's the bold that contributed to his demise.  So, don't smoke or drink without a safety harness.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 July, 2012, 10:59:22 am
He makes it sound quite an appealing job. Standing in the sunshine, enjoying an amazing view and throwing bricks around. Especially when he says he does the job because he's basically lazy! But then I remember how I'd feel climbing that swaying ladder.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Steph on 07 July, 2012, 12:46:37 pm
Or a lot longer than a million years. If you don't like heights, look away now

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N70DLM8Az_8&feature=player_detailpage

Without even opening the link, I know what it is, but then I was a climber. I would offer this: the first scene, on SLATE, is incredible.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOz5VKMp3CY

Here's the whole route
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLyF8zcP674&feature=related
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: clarion on 07 July, 2012, 01:03:56 pm
I knew Johnny.  But I never quite believed he could really exist.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Oscar's dad on 13 July, 2012, 08:45:48 am
I've done the tiniest bit of climbing.  It gave me the willies big time.  These blokes ^^^ and all those like them (including the girls) are completely insane in my book.  But good luck to them - they probably need it.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Steph on 13 July, 2012, 09:07:55 am
Those 'tents' are called bat hammocks.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Oscar's dad on 13 July, 2012, 09:09:13 am
Those 'tents' are called bat hammocks.

Lunatics (in my view). 
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 July, 2012, 09:14:34 am
I think they are called bat hammocks because you have to be clear batshit crazy to actually sleep in one.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Jaded on 13 July, 2012, 09:36:49 am
Sleep?!!? You think you could sleep in one?  :o :o
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Steph on 13 July, 2012, 11:34:51 am
Big hint: when walking near the feet of 'big walls' such as El Cap in Yosemite, be careful where you tread. People take days on some of those climbs...
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: TimO on 21 July, 2012, 08:53:27 pm
Closer shots show how that's an entirely artificial climb up a dam.

(http://img.izismile.com/img/img4/20110511/640/extreme_rock_climbing_and_mountaineering_640_high_03.jpg)

Even taking some of the photographs looks pretty hairy!

(http://img.izismile.com/img/img4/20110511/640/extreme_rock_climbing_and_mountaineering_640_12.jpg)

More here (http://izismile.com/2011/05/11/extreme_rock_climbing_and_mountaineering_16_pics.html).
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 19 August, 2012, 09:29:40 pm
What road is that in the background?
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: David Martin on 19 August, 2012, 09:33:39 pm
Is it trollstigen?
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Riggers on 17 May, 2013, 10:29:50 am
Another sweaty palms moment:

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/Riggers_1956/just-hanging-out_zps0fc66f49.jpg) (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/Riggers_1956/media/just-hanging-out_zps0fc66f49.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Oscar's dad on 17 May, 2013, 10:31:56 am
If he carries on behaving like that he needn't bother with a pension or life insurance.  Think of the money he'll save ...
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: LEE on 17 May, 2013, 11:38:01 am
I find it hard to watch this one..see if you can watch it without getting a bit "nervy" for him

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYbwZQ-QnMY (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYbwZQ-QnMY)
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: bobb on 17 May, 2013, 12:58:57 pm
That is terrifiying to watch! I'd never heard of Dan Osman before, so I Googled him. I was not in the least surprised to find out he is now dead.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 May, 2013, 01:18:28 pm
I found that one no problem to watch, probably because he makes it look so easy, whereas Riggers's photo of the bloke hanging off the ledge does make me a bit queasy.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: bobb on 17 May, 2013, 01:25:31 pm
I wouldn't be surprised if the photo Riggers posted is "fake" in the sense that there is actually solid ground a few feet beneath the guy that is cut out of the shot. Might not be of course...
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 May, 2013, 01:27:40 pm
I think there probably is. You can see some grass and stuff in the bottom left corner.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Riggers on 17 May, 2013, 03:48:44 pm
That what I thought too, when you see the 'greenery' in the bottom-left of the pic, and that it might not actually be completely-mind-boggling-"death-please-take-me"-stupid, but it stills gives me the heeby-jeebies.

I couldn't watch the free-climber video after about 20 seconds. Sweaty palms.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Riggers on 07 August, 2013, 04:12:53 pm
No way Ho Zay

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/Riggers_1956/Bikeamprope_zps8ac58821.jpg) (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/Riggers_1956/media/Bikeamprope_zps8ac58821.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: TimO on 07 August, 2013, 05:46:59 pm
In a similar vein, this may be fun ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp36jUxQXQY
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Gus on 07 August, 2013, 05:54:30 pm
Only sissies use bungy cords  :demon:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvYtFwOnHFQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvYtFwOnHFQ)
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 August, 2013, 06:23:12 pm
No way Ho Zay

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/Riggers_1956/Bikeamprope_zps8ac58821.jpg) (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/Riggers_1956/media/Bikeamprope_zps8ac58821.jpg.html)
Avon Gorge is looking a bit deeper than normal. Tide must be out.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Riggers on 20 August, 2013, 05:13:55 pm
Norway's Trollunga (http://abduzeedo.com/photographic-interpretations-norways-trolltunga)

Scroll down the page. Don't think I'd be doing what they're doing. I'd feel a strong compulsion to throw myself off.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 August, 2013, 03:50:04 pm
Ooop. I think I could stand on it though I'd probably feel happier lying down, Svetlana-style. But sitting with my feet dangling over the edge? No way.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Riggers on 20 September, 2013, 12:32:29 pm
No Sirree Bob. God knows how you'd get down from there!!

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/Riggers_1956/Pathwaytohell_zpsd3b8ca47.jpg) (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/Riggers_1956/media/Pathwaytohell_zpsd3b8ca47.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Pancho on 30 September, 2014, 10:24:35 pm
FFS. Is it possible to block a thread on this forum? I keep dipping in whenever it gets added to - and instantly regretting it.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 October, 2014, 12:18:39 am
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3911/15168695317_8769434580_o.jpg)
The Skycoaster at Royal Gorge Park, Colorado.

(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2950/15168643818_014d7978b1_o.jpg)
Royal Gorge Bridge

Crossing the bridge was scary enough for me; the Skycoaster puts at least another 150' between you and the Arkansas River for a 1200' drop.  I witnessed an eighty year old grandmother on the Skycoaster :o
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Riggers on 01 October, 2014, 08:30:03 am
Sorry to non-facebook forummers, this is a 46 second video on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10204174344696770) that I don't know how to embed here. It is a walk along a snowy summit of the Matterhorn.


I could only watch a few seconds of that Roaders, before my palms started sweating. That was enough thrill for me. I know I couldn't do that, even on my hands and knees!!!!! Thank God it wasn't windy. Bonkers.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Steph on 01 October, 2014, 05:56:21 pm
Both Fatbloke and I have been almost there. As in, on the shoulder. Shit.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Jaded on 01 October, 2014, 08:41:11 pm
Sorry to non-facebook forummers, this is a 46 second video on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10204174344696770) that I don't know how to embed here. It is a walk along a snowy summit of the Matterhorn.


I could only watch a few seconds of that Roaders, before my palms started sweating. That was enough thrill for me. I know I couldn't do that, even on my hands and knees!!!!! Thank God it wasn't windy. Bonkers.

windy is bonkers, yes.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: TimO on 11 October, 2014, 11:32:42 am
Unusually, this is on BBC iPlayer (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b04kntlk/danny-macaskill-riding-the-ridge), Danny MacAskill cycling along the Cuillins ridge.  The entire programme isn't under this category, but definitely a few of the cuts made me very nervous!  The program ends with the final film, which I presume is also on YouTube.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: TimO on 27 March, 2015, 08:13:45 am
It looks like El Caminito del Rey (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=42991.msg862817#msg862817) will no longer count in this thread.  They've rebuilt it, and it's due to be reopened tomorrow.  The new path is obviously a mixture of rebuilding the old one, and in places entirely replacing it with a new path, above the old one, which you can see below it in this video.

Still enough to make you nervous, but no longer in the "Never in a million years" category. ;D

(http://balius.sp.ph.ic.ac.uk/~timo/stuff/ElCaminitoDelRey.jpg) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JY5alvXix0I)
Click image for YouTube video
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Andrij on 02 November, 2015, 09:30:04 pm
https://youtu.be/DeItSaP_bUY

 :o
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 November, 2015, 09:44:51 pm
Utter maniac!

Course, once you've done Clent Hill, that's nothing...
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Kim on 02 November, 2015, 09:48:32 pm
 ;D
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: andrewc on 05 November, 2015, 06:59:59 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VPvKl6ezyc

Can't wait till the scallies start trying this at Speke.... (or Liverpool  John Lennon as its now known)
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Vince on 10 November, 2015, 01:31:16 pm
They are the RAF's new interceptors after the next military spending review.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 10 November, 2015, 01:44:15 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VPvKl6ezyc

Can't wait till the scallies start trying this at Speke.... (or Liverpool  John Lennon as its now known)
Crimminy, I assumed that was CGI at first. That A380 must have been flying just above stall speed.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 November, 2015, 01:39:06 pm
That looks great fun! Though perhaps not quite so close to another aircraft...
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Riggers on 01 July, 2016, 09:32:18 am
Driving trucks, laden down with granite stones, down from a quarry. Rather them than me.

Watch from 6 minutes in I say.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naOHC8KnmjU
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 01 July, 2016, 11:14:28 am
Driving trucks, laden down with granite stones, down from a quarry. Rather them than me.

Watch from 6 minutes in I say.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naOHC8KnmjU
balls of, um, granite.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: T42 on 01 July, 2016, 01:25:34 pm
Ahem. Marble. Marbles.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Moleman76 on 02 July, 2016, 05:54:26 am
Have the Giro route planners seen this yet?
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Vince on 02 July, 2016, 10:18:12 am
Very Wages of Fear.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: TimO on 17 July, 2016, 05:22:03 pm
Only goats, not people, but they still made me feel nervous !

(http://balius.sp.ph.ic.ac.uk/~timo/stuff/GoatsItalianDam.jpg) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG9TMn1FJzc)
Forces of Nature with Brian Cox: Episode 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG9TMn1FJzc)
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: rr on 18 July, 2016, 12:38:00 am
No way Ho Zay

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/Riggers_1956/Bikeamprope_zps8ac58821.jpg) (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/Riggers_1956/media/Bikeamprope_zps8ac58821.jpg.html)
I've done that, without the bike. I learnt to jumar on the climb up the rope.
Mind you he has a tight 50m rope, we tied two together to make 75m.

And I once shared the last of the chilli in Pete's eats with Jonny Dawes.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Moleman76 on 20 July, 2016, 10:38:18 am
https://youtu.be/zUIRrTxnwcA (https://youtu.be/zUIRrTxnwcA)
will do for me, particularly when large lizards are rappelling down the wall just a few score feet away
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: woollypigs on 30 July, 2016, 09:14:44 pm
Well that is an idea ...

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/07/29/daredevil-to-attempt-jumping-out-plane-at-25000-feet-without-parachute.html

Quote
he landing target, which has been described as similar to a fishing trawler net, has been tested repeatedly using dummies.

One of those 200-pound (91-kilogram) dummies didn't bounce out. It crashed right through.

"That was not a good thing to see," recalled Jimmy Smith, the veteran Hollywood public relations man who, with his partner Bobby Ware, sold Fox on the idea of having someone skydive without a parachute.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: TimO on 30 July, 2016, 09:53:39 pm
Well that is an idea ...

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/07/29/daredevil-to-attempt-jumping-out-plane-at-25000-feet-without-parachute.html

I can sort of see why he's doing it with no parachute, but on the other hand I can see why wearing one would be a very good idea.

If something goes wrong, and he can't get to the net, he's stuffed, utterly.

Proving you can do it, with no backup is really just being very macho, because doing it with an emergency parachute, and not using it, is ultimately the same as doing it without that spare, it's just showing that you have more nerve, but not particularly more sense.

I doubt someone with a career such as he has can actually get life insurance, and he's married with a child.  If he dies in the process, his wife and son have to live with that.  I presume his wife accepts him doing it, since she's jumped over 2000 times herself, but the reality of an accident is likely to be quiet different, and would have to be lived with, irreversibly.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: TimO on 31 July, 2016, 10:02:26 am
Well he did it, and didn't seem to hit that close to the centre of the net ! :o

BBC Website : US skydiver jumps without parachute into net from 25,000ft (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-36935087)
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Wowbagger on 31 July, 2016, 10:07:34 am
Now, of course, he will want to do to again, but from higher. This isn't going to end well.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: woollypigs on 31 July, 2016, 10:52:15 am
And without a net too, I bet.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: spesh on 31 July, 2016, 11:04:53 pm
Now, of course, he will want to do to again, but from higher. This isn't going to end well.

We know a song about that...

http://bussongs.com/songs/he-jumped-from-40-thousand-feet.php
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: David Martin on 03 August, 2016, 10:55:44 pm
like a blob of strawberry jam..
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Andrij on 16 August, 2016, 09:11:03 pm
4,600-Feet High Glass Walkway Opens On China Mountainside (http://the-daily.buzz/glass-walkway-china-mountainside/)

(http://2s3ygp2ortkl67oy1kogvig4.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Screen-Shot-2016-08-15-at-12.16.56-PM-768x580.png)

I think I'd actually give it a go.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Jurek on 16 August, 2016, 09:21:30 pm
4,600-Feet High Glass Walkway Opens On China Mountainside (http://the-daily.buzz/glass-walkway-china-mountainside/)

(http://2s3ygp2ortkl67oy1kogvig4.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Screen-Shot-2016-08-15-at-12.16.56-PM-768x580.png)

I think I'd actually give it a go.
One I'll happily give a miss.
Not coming on one your rides. M'kay?

ETA : Having seen it. F*ck that!
Don't expect me anytime soon.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Mr Larrington on 16 August, 2016, 09:51:29 pm
I think I'd actually give it a go.

Not. A. Chance.  I did make it over the Royal Gorge Bridge - just - and that's only 950-1050' depending on who you believe and has a nominally-opaque floor and didn't fall down when I watched a series of three ton pickup trucks drive over it.  I even got a bit twitchy on the bridge just downstream from the Hoover Dam, which has a dual cabbageway over it.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Jurek on 16 August, 2016, 09:53:22 pm
Quite.
Andrij, I think you are being deliberately provocative.
That is all.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Andrij on 16 August, 2016, 10:22:41 pm
Who knows?  If I ever did make it there, I could end up taking one look and soiling myself, without even setting one foot upon the thing.  If I ever visit China and go to Tianmen Mountain I'll let you know how I get on.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Wowbagger on 16 August, 2016, 10:25:31 pm
Isn't that shared use?
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Ham on 25 August, 2016, 09:11:02 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFUcxnvAeMc
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: hatler on 25 August, 2016, 09:56:05 pm
Eeeek.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Andrij on 03 December, 2016, 05:20:55 pm
https://www.facebook.com/videoholic0/videos/478612045664853/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Moleman76 on 14 December, 2016, 06:01:26 am
https://www.adventurecycling.org/resources/blog/i-ate-the-elephant-one-bite-at-a-time/

maybe if the tires were pneumatic
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Ham on 14 December, 2016, 06:46:01 am
https://www.adventurecycling.org/resources/blog/i-ate-the-elephant-one-bite-at-a-time/

maybe if the tires were pneumatic

And there I was considering putting it on the "I saw this and thought of you (/lot)" thread"
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: LEE on 14 December, 2016, 09:36:36 am
Well that is an idea ...

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/07/29/daredevil-to-attempt-jumping-out-plane-at-25000-feet-without-parachute.html

I can sort of see why he's doing it with no parachute, but on the other hand I can see why wearing one would be a very good idea.

If something goes wrong, and he can't get to the net, he's stuffed, utterly.

Proving you can do it, with no backup is really just being very macho, because doing it with an emergency parachute, and not using it, is ultimately the same as doing it without that spare, it's just showing that you have more nerve, but not particularly more sense.

I doubt someone with a career such as he has can actually get life insurance, and he's married with a child.  If he dies in the process, his wife and son have to live with that.  I presume his wife accepts him doing it, since she's jumped over 2000 times herself, but the reality of an accident is likely to be quiet different, and would have to be lived with, irreversibly.

It's about jeopardy.

When I see a High-Wire act, walking across a canyon, attached via a safety line, I don't feel any excitement.  There's no jeopardy, just skill.  It's impressive in its own right but I bet the "mental game" plays a bigger part than the ability to perform on a high-wire, when the stakes are so great.

I'll be honest, going up a ladder to my guttering is more of a mental game than going up the same ladder to paint my living room window-frame, despite there being the same skills involved.

It's why F1 is so dull and why the Isle of Man TT isn't.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Ruthie on 31 December, 2016, 07:51:12 pm
I wish you'd put that in spoiler tags  :sick:
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 31 December, 2016, 07:52:59 pm
What a great looking climb. Some commitment required!
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Steph on 01 January, 2017, 01:17:50 pm
Don't think it's that committing. Depth of the crack/chimney suggests good placements inside, and it's sandstone so should be nice and rough.

Spoken as a long term gritstone climber, hardest route being a lead of Sundowner at Froggatt which really DOES require commitment!
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Moleman76 on 02 January, 2017, 06:02:19 am
https://youtu.be/35D7rpxjeqo  - no, thanks
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Ham on 02 January, 2017, 06:30:47 am
Wales, eh?

http://www.valthorens.com/en/activities-and-entertainment/winter-activities/the-tyrolienne.644.html

I was looking at that a couple of days ago (not contemplating, I left that to Miss Ham & boyfriend, who ended up not doing it because  queues), it starts at almost 3,300m....
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Andrij on 02 January, 2017, 10:48:42 am
https://youtu.be/35D7rpxjeqo  - no, thanks

*looks into organising trip to Wales...*
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Steph on 02 January, 2017, 10:22:58 pm
It's near Llanberis and runs over some superb climbing areas in the old slate quarries.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 03 January, 2017, 12:58:11 pm
Don't think it's that committing. Depth of the crack/chimney suggests good placements inside, and it's sandstone so should be nice and rough.

Spoken as a long term gritstone climber, hardest route being a lead of Sundowner at Froggatt which really DOES require commitment!
You'd need some big hexs for that crack . . .

But yeah, I agree. Those cracks look nice and snug.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: hatler on 03 January, 2017, 03:30:11 pm
(http://ichef-1.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/10F1E/production/_93060496_1stprizewinnercategorysport_adventuremoabbymaxseigal.jpg)

Rock climbing in Moab, Utah, USA.
Dear god. There's not much protection in there.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: woollypigs on 03 January, 2017, 03:38:25 pm
Dear god. There's not much protection in there.
The ground and rock look nice and solid and stable, I don't think it will fall on you.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: hatler on 03 January, 2017, 03:40:48 pm
Dear god. There's not much protection in there.
The ground and rock look nice and solid and stable, I don't think it will fall on you.
I'm talking about him having put any protection in, or not.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 03 January, 2017, 04:18:12 pm
Dear god. There's not much protection in there.
The ground and rock look nice and solid and stable, I don't think it will fall on you.
I'm talking about him having put any protection in, or not.
I guess he (or she) would reach into the back of the chimney and put in one of those fancy modern camming things. Never had much time for them, meself, I was a hex and nut man.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: hatler on 03 January, 2017, 04:27:18 pm
Dear god. There's not much protection in there.
The ground and rock look nice and solid and stable, I don't think it will fall on you.
I'm talking about him having put any protection in, or not.
I guess he (or she) would reach into the back of the chimney and put in one of those fancy modern camming things. Never had much time for them, meself, I was a hex and nut man.
Yebbut. If you look at the rope dangling in the picture it looks to me that he has no protection in at all.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: woollypigs on 03 January, 2017, 05:00:33 pm
Hatler I'm sure that said rope is securely anchored to the rock down below.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Steph on 03 January, 2017, 09:33:15 pm
Hatler, I'll zoom in for a better look when I get home.
ETA: Managed it at work. He has gear in about fifteen feet below him (rope changes angle) and possibly just where he is, but I don't really think the latter.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: tonyh on 03 January, 2017, 11:16:16 pm
Phew!! That's a relief!
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Moleman76 on 07 January, 2017, 02:48:03 am
I'll invoke this quotation from Mr. Kollbek as I decline to repeat his feat: " it's not for everyone, so I strongly advise inexperienced riders against trying this line "  -- even though the cliff is not quite as vertical as the view posted would suggest.

My tires' air pressure doesn't go low enough
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Moleman76 on 18 January, 2017, 06:24:21 am
Nor this
https://www.facebook.com/kyle.mears.73/videos/10209796828611873/
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Andrij on 20 January, 2017, 12:44:32 pm
Scared of heights?  Look away now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1BgzIZRfT8
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Steph on 21 January, 2017, 05:57:19 pm
Wonderful!
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Moleman76 on 01 February, 2017, 08:09:03 pm
https://www.facebook.com/FreeSoloSolo/photos/a.1786777151550915.1073741829.1715525695342728/1908209262741036/?type=3

correction: never in two million years
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Riggers on 09 February, 2017, 09:43:10 am
^

I looked at that for about 3 seconds before coming off it. Death wish.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: trekker12 on 10 February, 2017, 12:36:51 pm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/38925611
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Riggers on 13 February, 2017, 09:43:55 am
And it's not done on the smoothest of surfaces either!!
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: woollypigs on 26 June, 2017, 07:03:41 pm
Have we had these two?

Climbs Europe's tallest chimney, 360m - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-85lyn17wxo

Spot of wild camping at 280'ish - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLlgUT_MyrM
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Jaded on 26 June, 2017, 09:29:19 pm
Have we had these two?

Climbs Europe's tallest chimney, 360m - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-85lyn17wxo


Who is he and what is he doing with Bob's hair?
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Andrij on 02 August, 2017, 09:23:33 am
Jianyou figure hill temple, simple chain bridge, 1930, China

(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20476402_1611474802260961_4980103851017895337_n.jpg?oh=d74b80c870f8392f0ca19e4dd7f6c189&oe=5A00AF4E)
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 August, 2017, 11:18:21 am
ICBA to go and look for the picture but a Farcebok friend just posted a thing about a building in Houston with a glass-bottomed swimming pool hanging out 500' above the street!

Urk!
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: David Martin on 04 August, 2017, 01:19:13 pm
Is there not one in Dubai as well?
Apparently one is planned for London. https://www.domain.com.au/news/worlds-first-sky-swimming-pool-will-float-over-london-20150820-gj3as5/
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: T42 on 04 August, 2017, 01:45:07 pm
I see that despite Houston and Dubai, the London one will be the world's first.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 August, 2017, 01:46:18 pm
Never mind the swimming pool having a glass bottom, that would give me a glass bottom!
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: T42 on 04 August, 2017, 02:51:01 pm
Best seen though the bottom of a glass.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Jaded on 04 August, 2017, 03:11:51 pm
The Mechanic (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hjBCy5kOaY)

About 5 mins onwards...
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: sojournermike on 04 August, 2017, 06:06:18 pm
I see that despite Houston and Dubai, the London one will be the world's first.

The world's first in London, of course
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Steph on 05 August, 2017, 05:42:34 am
Funnily enough, a clip from my 'Cold Feet', being a family walk at the Battle of Britain memorial, Capel le Ferne, between Folkestone and Dover

“There’s a funny story about that, Dad. The Daily Telegraph had a hissy fit a few years ago, ‘why is there no memorial to the Battle of Britain’, and someone mentioned this place, and they harrumphed and said ‘yes, but there should be one in London!’. That’s when Croydon council told them there was one, at the original London airport–in Croydon”

“Does dim byd ar glawr, ac eithrio Llundain” (There is nothing at all in existence…except for London). I understood his bitterness there. Even the people of East Kent felt the capital assumed it was the only part of the country in which anything important or worthwhile happened
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Ham on 07 August, 2017, 12:55:16 pm
Brumotti has previous here, doesn't he?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcjIhn5sVKQ
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Andrij on 07 August, 2017, 02:32:45 pm
Brumotti has previous here, doesn't he?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcjIhn5sVKQ

Most of that I wouldn't even attempt on foot.  Might manage on my hands and knees if my life depended on it.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Steph on 07 August, 2017, 06:49:21 pm
On the drops as well...
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: andrewc on 07 August, 2017, 08:53:08 pm
(http://www.tuttouomini.it/images/paperissimasprint-vittorio-brumotti.jpg)


I suppose the chest tatt will make identifying the body easier....

Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Oscar's dad on 07 August, 2017, 11:01:05 pm
Brumotti has previous here, doesn't he?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcjIhn5sVKQ

I'm amazed he bothers wearing a helmet, if he fell from those heights I can't imagine it would offer any meaningful protection!
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 11 August, 2017, 10:34:55 am
Brumotti has previous here, doesn't he?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcjIhn5sVKQ

I'm amazed he bothers wearing a helmet, if he fell from those heights I can't imagine it would offer any meaningful protection!
I guess if he slips he's going to be more bothered about stopping going over the edge than avoiding bumping his noggin - so it is one of the situations where wearing a helmet makes sense - low speed impact on rocks.

I felt nauseous watching that video. He must have no nerves whatsoever.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Oscar's dad on 11 August, 2017, 12:47:30 pm
I hope the chap hasn't gone to the trouble and expense of investing in a pension, I doubt he'll need one.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: T42 on 11 August, 2017, 01:04:18 pm
What does the pubic tat read, cuando quieres? He's not expecting to get old, then.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: woollypigs on 27 August, 2017, 04:32:42 pm
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DIPw7wBXoAASN1h.jpg:large)
https://twitter.com/outsidemagazine/status/901829261883006976

Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: woollypigs on 19 December, 2017, 07:54:28 am
http://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2017/12/18/man-sets-blindfolded-slackline-walk-record-orig.cnn
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Moleman76 on 29 December, 2017, 04:07:39 am
I'm amazed he bothers wearing a helmet, if he fell from those heights I can't imagine it would offer any meaningful protection!

No Go-Pro mounts for hair?
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Torslanda on 29 December, 2017, 07:47:14 am
Which puts me in mind of a story about Syd Watkins, FIA medical supremo. When they mandated the HANS device for Formula 1 he was asked by a journalist if this proven lifesaver  might find its way into mass produced road cars.

'Prof' thought about it for a moment and replied that he could see no problem with that. As long as people didn't mind surgery and Kevlar straps permanently attached to the backs of their skulls and shoulder blades...
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 December, 2017, 11:42:42 am
I'm still waiting for some enterprising F1 journo to assemble a definitive collection of Sydisms
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: BrianI on 29 December, 2017, 08:30:47 pm
Anything done by the late great Fred Dibnah:

No safety harnesses or hard had! Just a pair of overalls, tackety boots, and a flat cap  :o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezX_o0H5FuE
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 December, 2017, 11:19:58 am
A bystander, observing His Fredness' antics atop a chimney, once asked Fred's oppo "Does he ever fall off?"

"Oh aye, he did once.  But I caught him."
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Pingu on 30 December, 2017, 05:37:33 pm
Putting the scaffolding up is quite fun too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6W_7uIapoHc

 :-\
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Pingu on 30 December, 2017, 05:40:06 pm
Chinese high wire: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-asia-china-42522614/nerves-of-steel-high-up-on-china-s-power-lines
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Andrij on 30 December, 2017, 11:22:52 pm
I think I could manage this one: https://www.facebook.com/thisisinsidertravel/videos/2010506939276465/?hc_ref=ARRObuuxJynsxcoUA0TUFoN08ES8rCO1_RfSki4Pxd5xfFMcut1v0ka0qfymZm5cHdo
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Andrij on 27 January, 2018, 05:56:36 pm
How about SkyCycle (https://youtu.be/jNgF3GIfF1c) in Japan?
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Steph on 25 February, 2018, 11:59:37 am
Not that worrying at all. I suggest you google Glen Coe Five Points of Contact...
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: nikki on 25 February, 2018, 12:38:13 pm
How about SkyCycle (https://youtu.be/jNgF3GIfF1c) in Japan?

Waaah! I've looked up at that a few times from the town at the bottom of the hill.
Had. No. Idea.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: woollypigs on 04 May, 2018, 05:29:30 pm
Here's a movie for all your sweaty palms : https://gearjunkie.com/mountain-film-australian-chamber-orchestra-us-release
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: perpetual dan on 04 May, 2018, 09:50:22 pm
The movie is pretty good, and not all sweaty palmed thrills. I quite like Mr MacFarlane’s writing too.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Steph on 05 May, 2018, 07:34:15 pm
I suppose it is an experience thing. If you are, or have been, a climber, the effect of some of the exposure (long drops/verticality) wears off. On the other hand, the knowledge of what can go wrong doesn't...
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: spesh on 14 May, 2018, 06:56:59 pm
Crewmen of the airship “Graf Zeppelin” repair the hull during a flight over the Atlantic, 1934:

https://twitter.com/at_RIN/status/995355446839054336
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Steph on 17 May, 2018, 05:19:27 am
The WWI Zeps used this as well. Bit lonely...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spy_basket
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: T42 on 17 May, 2018, 08:01:33 am
Crewmen of the airship “Graf Zeppelin” repair the hull during a flight over the Atlantic, 1934:

https://twitter.com/at_RIN/status/995355446839054336

I wonder if they used crampons...
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Moleman76 on 18 May, 2018, 05:53:40 am
I doubt they had much choice with a hole that big.

I think the "hole" off to the lower right in the photo is an access hatch to get on the top.  The Hydrogen was in "bags" inside the skin.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 May, 2018, 08:34:52 am
It looks rather jagged to be an access hatch. They don't seem to be paying it much attention though.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Moleman76 on 21 May, 2018, 02:33:23 am
https://www.sde.co.ke/article/2001280477/video-little-girls-laugh-as-they-ride-on-the-back-of-deadly-giant-python (https://www.sde.co.ke/article/2001280477/video-little-girls-laugh-as-they-ride-on-the-back-of-deadly-giant-python)

seems like a rather slow means of transporation
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Moleman76 on 31 May, 2018, 09:19:51 pm
https://www.facebook.com/visitfonna/videos/1757422170992066/?t=11 (https://www.facebook.com/visitfonna/videos/1757422170992066/?t=11)

not this guy
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: woollypigs on 27 November, 2018, 06:17:57 pm
https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2018/nov/27/novice-left-hanging-after-glider-pilot-fails-to-attach-him-video
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: trekker12 on 22 March, 2019, 12:25:26 pm
Did anyone watch Free Solo on National Geographic the other week?

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2019/02/alex-honnold-made-ultimate-climb-el-capitan-without-rope/
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Moleman76 on 26 May, 2020, 12:14:20 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh06wlg9RmU
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Riggers on 26 May, 2020, 10:28:04 am
Thanks for giving me sweaty palms Molers. French lunatics!
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 31 May, 2020, 03:57:14 pm
300m up - utterly disintegrating concrete

https://youtu.be/fcczjFRcVcU (https://youtu.be/fcczjFRcVcU)
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 31 May, 2020, 04:12:52 pm
I believe that path has been completely rebuilt recently.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: andrewc on 13 June, 2020, 09:54:00 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJpcJEOEvec


http://www.indiabuilding.co.uk


The arcade is beautiful, I often used to stroll through during my lunch break.    I'm extremely pissed off that the new tenants (HMRC) intend to stop public access for "security reasons"  >:(
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Pingu on 13 June, 2020, 10:44:13 pm
Nice hats!
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: TimO on 25 June, 2020, 10:01:02 pm
I believe that path has been completely rebuilt recently.

Indeed it has been.

   Tom Scott - The World's Most Dangerous Path Isn't So Dangerous Any More (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cICu9HtGhQ)

(... and I think there were previous links in this thread to other scary videos of it!)
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 June, 2020, 02:03:17 pm
I always get that one mixed up with the South American road.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 24 August, 2020, 02:51:29 pm
Quite tame compared with a lot of the stuff here, but nevertheless, impressive parkouring.
Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CD9NHnTH-jF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=embed_video_watch_again

More: https://www.bristol247.com/lifestyle/health-and-fitness/amazing-parkour-skills-takes-athlete-down-side-of-multi-storey-car-park/
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: FifeingEejit on 29 August, 2020, 04:38:09 pm
You'd never get me doing that because of heights, but I do note he's on a tether.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Jurek on 25 September, 2020, 01:46:19 pm
https://9gag.com/gag/a9nDLdm?ref=9g.wsa.mw
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 27 October, 2020, 10:10:30 am
The filming of 'Free Solo'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-wjmIFlnNo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-wjmIFlnNo)
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: andrewc on 28 January, 2021, 11:08:14 am
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ym2F-tHdkk&feature=youtu.be


Danny MacAskill - The Slabs    :jurek:

Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: andrewc on 03 September, 2021, 12:43:02 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m5lPITfMQc


Nope. Nope No way.....  even if all I had to do is stand still , that's still a no. 
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: perpetual dan on 03 September, 2021, 01:53:09 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m5lPITfMQc


Nope. Nope No way.....  even if all I had to do is stand still , that's still a no.

I'd have dropped one of the signs, for sure.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 03 September, 2021, 03:24:51 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m5lPITfMQc


Nope. Nope No way.....  even if all I had to do is stand still , that's still a no.
Just watching that give me teh fear.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Jurek on 03 September, 2021, 07:06:57 pm
[Don Logan mode]
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
[/Don Logan mode]
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: woollypigs on 20 November, 2021, 07:24:45 pm
Danny on a wind mill https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR4maEf-eCY
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Peter on 21 November, 2021, 12:16:06 pm
I see no evidence that he got back........!
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 March, 2022, 01:13:03 pm
Crowded at the top.
https://youtu.be/s0PRPbScMa8
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Jurek on 22 March, 2022, 01:20:42 pm
Crowded at the top.
https://youtu.be/s0PRPbScMa8
From watching just a few minutes of that, water is issuing from my palms as if they were The Niagra Falls.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: andrewc on 22 March, 2022, 01:32:10 pm
Agggghhhhhh!!!!   Hugging myself with teh fear!
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 March, 2022, 02:20:02 pm
Crowded at the top.
https://youtu.be/s0PRPbScMa8
From watching just a few minutes of that, water is issuing from my palms as if they were The Niagra Falls.

Me too.

How the heck can they bring themselves to trust the stonework?
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Jurek on 22 March, 2022, 02:24:16 pm
Crowded at the top.
https://youtu.be/s0PRPbScMa8
From watching just a few minutes of that, water is issuing from my palms as if they were The Niagra Falls.

Me too.

How the heck can they bring themselves to trust the stonework?
I notice that before he set foot on the first ladder, he gave it a cursory shake.
Or at least it looked that way to me.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: andrewc on 22 March, 2022, 02:36:44 pm
Probably did the standard safety check & sent the apprentice up first....
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: T42 on 22 March, 2022, 02:44:18 pm
Crowded at the top.
https://youtu.be/s0PRPbScMa8

And what to they do when they get there, practise clog dancing?
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Jurek on 22 March, 2022, 02:52:12 pm
Crowded at the top.
https://youtu.be/s0PRPbScMa8

And what to they do when they get there, practise clog dancing?
Lightning conductor maintenance would be my guess.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Lightning Phil on 22 March, 2022, 07:45:27 pm
Crowded at the top.
https://youtu.be/s0PRPbScMa8

And what to they do when they get there, practise clog dancing?
Lightning conductor maintenance would be my guess.

It’s a bit like , “How many steeple jacks does it take to change a lightbulb?”.  Why does it need three of them up there with the last guy mostly just hanging off the metalwork?
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Ham on 22 March, 2022, 09:56:26 pm
Not that I'm making light of it, but the streetview gives you better perspective than that wide angle headcam, especially of the likely strength at the top, it looks fragile in that video
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: andrewc on 27 May, 2022, 12:43:44 pm
https://twitter.com/dwnews/status/1530135725777121285


A 2 hour slackline walk.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Moleman76 on 29 May, 2022, 09:33:11 am
quite a slacker
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Jaded on 29 May, 2022, 09:54:48 am
Crowded at the top.
https://youtu.be/s0PRPbScMa8

And what to they do when they get there, practise clog dancing?
Lightning conductor maintenance would be my guess.

It’s a bit like , “How many steeple jacks does it take to change a lightbulb?”.  Why does it need three of them up there with the last guy mostly just hanging off the metalwork?

He must have cold hands.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: andrewc on 15 July, 2022, 10:19:43 pm
https://twitter.com/ajenglish/status/1548049514245697536 (https://twitter.com/ajenglish/status/1548049514245697536?s=21&t=q00vQMgJPHg3H_2iQACItg)


I’m pleased to see the chaps riding bikes above a several hundred metre drop are wearing helmets…. :jurek:
Title: Never in a million years…
Post by: perpetual dan on 02 August, 2022, 10:08:53 pm
 https://twitter.com/carltonreid/status/1554573788049719297?s=21&t=BHkH9QXz_tUkDXALEJ6njg (https://twitter.com/carltonreid/status/1554573788049719297?s=21&t=BHkH9QXz_tUkDXALEJ6njg)

ETA it’s a quoted tweet, but I liked Carlton’s comment.
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Ham on 02 August, 2022, 10:43:08 pm
https://twitter.com/carltonreid/status/1554573788049719297?s=21&t=BHkH9QXz_tUkDXALEJ6njg (https://twitter.com/carltonreid/status/1554573788049719297?s=21&t=BHkH9QXz_tUkDXALEJ6njg)

ETA it’s a quoted tweet, but I liked Carlton’s comment.

The motherlode is here https://driftershoots.com/gallery
Title: Re: Never in a million years…
Post by: Ham on 23 January, 2024, 11:21:51 pm
Oh my, oh my my.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF5dA5ta5hI

Skiing the Hannenkamm is scary enough, IIRC there are sections up to 80% gradient so in effect you are just falling, I wonder if he bypassed them?