A Man Who Climbed 700 Skyscrapers Without Equipment – Real life Spiderman
Harry Gardner: The World Famous Climber
Harry Gardner was a renowned climber who scaled skyscrapers in Europe and North America in the early 1900s. With exceptionally strong hands, he amazed audiences below, who often paid to see their goods advertised during his climbs.
He claimed over 700 buildings in Europe and North America
He was an all-day human TV for companies
He had exceptionally strong hands and sometimes used a short length of rope
Unfortunately, not everyone was as talented as him, and copycats failed in their attempts, often with fatal consequences. Due to this, states and cities put official restrictions on urban climbing. Harry disappeared, and it is speculated that he left for Paris. However, rumors have been circulating about a Parisian man who had a similar career and was also known as the Human Fly.
Buildingering: A New Phenomenon
Climbing buildings is extremely dangerous, yet it became a new phenomenon over time. Climbing urban structures, as Harry did, is called buildingering, and most builders are free and solo climbers, which means they climb without a rope or other types of protection. Therefore, most of the time, it’s illegal to climb high buildings, and due to the risks involved, it is not recommended.
In 2011, Elaine Robert climbed the Burj Khalifa tower in Dubai, which is 2717 feet tall. It took him six hours to climb it using the free solo technique. Elaine is known for climbing tall buildings using the free solo method. In Toronto, in 1986, he climbed the CN Tower, which is an equivalent of a 146-floor building, using only his hands and feet, and it took him six hours to climb it.
Lucinda Grange and Angela Nicolau
Lucinda Grange is a present-day builder and photographer who is known for scaling iconic buildings like the Newport Transporter Bridge and the Great Pyramids of Giza. Angela Nicolau captures urban areas and streets and takes underground photos too. Her pictures can give a vertigo effect, and she takes the risk of injury and legal consequences while trying to escape security guards. In those pictures, she wears cool dresses, which is also challenging besides taking underground pictures.
Conclusion
Climbing buildings and engaging in buildingering is super dangerous, and no one should try it if they don’t trust their physical abilities and mental limits. However, congrats to the people who are willing and able to do this. Would you dare to try it?