Bridge Climb!

On Sunday, April 6, 2008 I climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It deserves some emphasis because it was an incredible experience. I've been dying to do it ever since I arrived here and anyone I have spoken to (travellers) put it at the top of their list of things one 'must do' while here in Sydney.

The climb took an amazing 3.5 hours and cost another amazing $200 AU. I knew this before I went but hey-I can't do this anywhere else and why not? I am here after all, carpe diem.

So I signed up for the 3pm climb and sat in the waiting room with a bunch of other people, watching a preparation video. The video makes it look amazing, easy and fearless. I will admit it ended up being all that. I picked a really good day for the climb, it was cloudy but no rain and it was about 20 degrees. I could never do that climb in 27 degree weather, I'd melt like a popsicle. My friend Jackie said she did it on Christmas Day when it was thirty degrees and she nearly died from the heat. She still admitted that she'd do it again in a heartbeat.

They called me in and surprisingly only three other people came with me (one group every 20 mins). Normally there are 12 people to a group but we totally lucked out. Elaine, James and Mary from Whales. Friendly bunch, Elaine and James have lived in Sydney for 9 months and Mary came to visit them for two weeks. This climb was a going-away present from them. It was Elaine's 3rd climb. I should mention that you can choose what time of day you climb. The sunrise special is the most expensive at $400. Oh yes, they charge depending on what time of day you go. I guess I got the daily special as it was the cheapest. Sunset is $300 I believe. Anyway, she's done all of them now.

So we were taken into this room where we signed our lives away on a form I didn't read (sorry mom) and then took a breathalyzer (first and last time ever) and then we were quizzed about health problems before being given 'suits' to put on over our clothes. Mine was quite large as I needed one with long enough arms and legs (I can hear you giggling mom). In some of the pics you can see the wind filling it up with air and I literally look like a balloon, not very attractive but definitely humorous. We are not allowed to wear watches but rings were ok. Then after a walk through a metal detector we were introduced to our guide Peter. He had the worst breath I've ever smelt. Seriously! But he was really nice and walked us through putting on all the gear. We had belts, harnesses, hats, and then he handed me a small bag and said, "this is your parachute." The look on my face must have said it all. He thought that was funny. Turned out to be a fleece for sudden changes in the weather (they climb in all weather). When will I stop being so goddamn guilable? So after all our gear is on I'm loaded down with a belt, fleece, raincoat, hat, hankerchief, security cable, radio and headset (so he can talk to us on the tour). Then we had a test run on a catwalk so that we learned how our security cables work (like we're on rails-literally, with a short leash).

Heading out I was super excited but not very nervous. I should mention I'm not a fan of heights, something that's only developed with age, but despite this I was pumped! I was first in
line after our leader and the first thing we did was walk onto two board with rails on either side. Two wooden boards. A fat person would not make it through, no sorry, a chubby person would struggle. No wonder Peter looked like he hadn't eaten in a month, it would've been a job hazard. Anyway, I would have been a little uneasy if I weren't so distracted by the view. It's all about the view.

The first thing I saw was the Opera House. In all it's glory of white sails and the crowd of worshippers milling about. It's truly a beautiful sight, no wonder it's one of the most recognizable features on the planet. It was here that Peter stopped to give us some info about the Opera House. Did you guys know that it is not one building? I was amazed to walk by it one day and realize that; none of the pictures give it away. Also, they held a competition in the late 50's to see who could design the best opera house and this won hands down. Unfortunately the construction left Sydney millions of dollars in debt. The estimated cost? $7 million. Cost upon completion in 1973? $103 million (I know you're shaking your head dad). Solutions: Lottery! ha ha, they paid off their entire debt by holding an 'opera house' lottery.

The second thing I saw was a bride and groom getting their pictures taken just below us with the Opera House in the background. Peter said it was the most popular place for wedding pics and that he will see 4-5 brides in a day. In the height of the summer he saw 12 brides. I should mention that he only does 2 climbs a day (3 max). They are not allowed to do anymore than that as it's too stressful on their bodies. By the end of our climb I had seen 3 brides.

We continued on our walk and I was blown away by the beauty of the water and harbour and boats running below us. Then we stepped out onto the catwalk. Do you know what a catwalk is? A thin walkway with a see-through floor. Okay, not all are see-through but this one was. Technically our two board strip is also a catwalk but it wasn't freaky like this was. The boards were a little shaky but the catwalk? It was see-through! Luckily we were halfway across before I realized this. I was too mezmorized by the view and it was only when Mary started squealing behind me that I took any notice. It was ok but not great. It didn't help when Peter suggested we run across it and look down. Looks like you're walking on air says he. I ran for 5 steps and then cooley walked the rest of it. James of course tore down the catwalk, he was quite the entertainment (they were in late 20's).

The scariest part of the whole journey was the ladders. I hate ladders. I don't like short ladders, I don't like long ladders, I refuse to climb ladders. I climbed 4. I think it was 4 although it felt more like 14. These are not your ordinary ladders either. They are straight up and the steps are so close together that you get dizzy watching close placement of each foot. then you reach the top and you get disoriented and which direction you are going and you are desperately looking for the next ladder. Oh yeah, did I mention you come up through the traffic of the bridge? Not a great experience. I was very thankful to reach the top. Then Peter asked if any of us had driven the bridge. We all had. Then he asked if we found it scary. All of them did but me. He told us to look down to lane 6 as a bus was coming up. The bus was the exact width of the lanes. I felt a little naseous after that. I was so concerned with the view and the fact that I was lost that it went unnoticed by me when I drove over it. Thank God it did, driving close beside large vehicles freaks the crap out of me (my poor mom is a witness to this).

When we stopped looking down, we looked around and realized we had almost reached the summit. I could see steps leading up to the massive Australian flags posted at the top. All the way up the steps (probably 30 mins) Peter described the process of how the Bridge was built. I didn't like this knowledge. I mean, I wasn't scared up there, the wind was refreshing, the view was gorgeous and I was loving every minute of it. But...I didn't like hearing how men used to come up in suits (not like we were wearing) with no safety harnesses, and throw bolts around. That really creeped me out. I wish they could tell us that info after the climb, once we were on solid ground. I could too easily picture someone falling. I did learn that 1,600 men built the bridge and they only lost 16.

What I remember, and will for the rest of my life-vividly, were the sunbeams coming down through the clouds over the harbour. Facing the city, I noticed Sydney is extremely flat to the right and hilly to the left. I also understood just how large a city it was. I had driven to North Sydney (across the bridge) but never around it and it looked the size of Vancouver. I never imagined it was that big. I finally let go of the rails, I was comfortable and at ease and I wanted to fly like a bird.

Just before we reached the flags, Peter stopped us for the first picture of the trip (the rest taken at the top and on the way down) and it was at that moment the sun came out. I know it sounds corny but it really did happen. You can notice in my pictures that the first one is the only one in which the sun is on my face? Yeah, now you know why. I was thrilled. The wind was a bit of a bother for a girl who's hair is down (didn't think that one through), but still I'm pleased with the pics. *Note that you are not allowed to take a camera with you...they charge you for your photos. I paid $64 for the pictures you see here. Helluv a lot of money for 8 pictures but the only documentation of my climb and-you only do it once (although I would definitely do it again).

We got a group picture at the top but sadly, I dont have it on cd so I can't post it. At the top we saw John Travolta's $20 million dollar house for when he flies (on his own plane) into town. Luna Park (Coney Island) was just below us and apparently it was a 'thank you' to N. Sydney for putting up with the noisy construction of the Bridge...huh what? I laughed at that, as Luna Park is an amusement park! Peter smiled and said, "Well, yes it is ironic and the park has been closed and re-opened several times due to noise complaint." No shit.

By the end of the climb the sun was setting and the horizon was pink and the clouds had that 'silver lining' you hear so much about. It was amazing.