Okay no, so it wasn't a mountain, but for someone as unfit as yours truly, it sure as hell could be. The Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb is neither for the faint-hearted, nor for those afraid of heights. As I correctly anticipated, the jumpsuits did nothing for me. The husband on the other hand thought that it took pounds off him.
We came to the offices of Bridge Climb early Saturday morning for a climb scheduled at 9.15am. The hotel concierge had advised against scheduling a climb on Saturday for the weather forecasted the previous day had said "Cloudy". We took the chance anyway, and thankfully, the sun was shining and the sky was blue. After registration at the counter, we began our briefing on the safety procedures of the climb. The folks at the BC did a really good job of making us climbers feel safe and gave a thorough briefing on safety. We were not allowed any loose items on our bodies, and this included (though not exhaustive), chewing gum or sweets in mouth, camera and mobile phone, as it would be dangerous for the drivers down below on the bridge if say, a chewing gum falls out of your mouth and onto the windscreen of the car.
All throughout the climb we would be attached to the bridge railings by this contraption that was then strapped to our waist. We were given practice runs on a replica of the footbridge and railing of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and all the climbers were given a radio and headset so as to enable the guides to give a running commentary on the sights, stories and history of Sydney. Our guide's name was Doug Snider and our climb group comprised of a father and son from New Zealand, two petite young Taiwanese women and the husband and I. Our guide went first and I followed closely because really, I'm chicken shit.
But the absolutely panoramic view of Sydney and the harbour that you get when you're way up there, with the wind blowing and the sun shining, is breathtaking. If you are able, the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb is a definite must-do.
Doug was also the designated photographer. They give you one free photograph, the one of you and your climbing mates doing a kind of taa-daa! style pose with the Syndey Opera House at the background. We looked dorky and just a little bit terrified in that photograph. He took other pictures of us singly or as a couple, but these we had to buy at the daylight robbery price of approximately AUD$15 per photo.
But we came, we climbed, we conquered and we had a great adventure. And apparently so did these folks:
Sigh.. I want to go to Sydney. Beats Melbourne any day.
Posted by: Annie | Thursday, 24 August 2006 at 12:39 AM
Hey there kiddo, We heard about your swell news at dinner :D Congratulations! Have fun, be safe and love to Kyle xx ps/ And Camden! Excellent eh.
Posted by: EmmaGoodEgg | Wednesday, 23 August 2006 at 11:19 PM
Sounds like you had a lovely time there! I feel inspired and can't wait to get on a plane again... much love to you both from us in camden babyy...
p.s my interview went well and MA starts end of september! woohoo!
Posted by: Widarchitect | Wednesday, 23 August 2006 at 10:26 PM
Hey Eleanor, you are such a doll :) It just shows how much I enjoyed Sydney..xx
Posted by: EmmaGoodEgg | Wednesday, 23 August 2006 at 05:40 PM
What a wonderful account of Sydney. Their tourism board should pay you for this article!
Posted by: eleanorym | Wednesday, 23 August 2006 at 03:33 PM
Hi Justin, you are allowed to wear your glasses or sunglasses. You are given elastic strings, with holes at the end to put both left and right tip of the frame into, that is then hooked onto your jumpsuit. They also supply windcheaters or jackets, also hooked onto the jumpsuits. Its a good idea to get a jacket because its really chilly up there :)
Posted by: EmmaGoodEgg | Tuesday, 22 August 2006 at 11:50 PM
What about glasses? Do you have to remove those too?
Posted by: Justin | Tuesday, 22 August 2006 at 11:41 PM