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French 'Spiderman' Scales 62-Storey Hong Kong Skyscraper
The Star (Malaysia) ^

Posted on 06/11/2005 1:18:00 AM PDT by nickcarraway

HONG KONG: A French urban climber who calls himself "spiderman'' scaled a 62-storey Hong Kong skyscraper barehanded on Saturday.

Wearing only a pair of red pants, Alain Robert, 42, from Valence, southeastern France, scrambled up the downtown Cheung Kong Center the flagship building of Hong Kong's richest man, Li Ka-shing in about an hour.

Robert said the building was 283 meters (928 feet) tall.

During his climb, the Frenchman rested several times and even answered a reporter's phone calls.

"I can't talk to you right now. I'm climbing,'' said Robert, renowned for scaling buildings without ropes or other equipment.

After reaching the top of the building, he waved to a small crowd of spectators on the ground below. He said he was greeted by police, firefighters and security guards at the top.

Police officers checked his passport but did not arrest him, even though he had not sought permission to climb the building.

"Everyone was very nice,'' Robert said, adding that the climb was not too difficult.

"I slipped only once,'' he said. "On a scale of one to 10 in terms of difficulty, this would be a five. I really enjoyed the ascent.''

Robert said he did not choose Hong Kong's tallest building, the 420-meter (1,378-foot) Two International Finance Center, because the building is surrounded by a platform, and he could risk arrest halfway through the climb.

"I decided to climb the Cheung Kong as I was sure that I could climb all the way up to the top,'' he said.

In December, Robert scaled the world's tallest building, Taiwan's Taipei 101. It took him nearly four hours to reach the top of the 508-meter (1,679-foot) building _ nearly twice as long as he had expected _ because it was raining.

But Robert, who has scaled more than 70 skyscrapers around the world, said his most challenging climb so far was the Sears Tower in Chicago, the United States, in 1999.

His other feats include scaling Malaysia's Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Empire State Building in New York.

Robert said he is working with the United Arab Emirates government on a plan to climb five buildings on five continents to raise funds for UNESCO. The first climb the sail-shaped Burj al-Arab hotel in Dubai is planned for November, he said.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: french; hongkong; skyscraper; taiwan

1 posted on 06/11/2005 1:18:01 AM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

Last words, "Me fall long time".


2 posted on 06/11/2005 1:20:02 AM PDT by A CA Guy (God Bless America, God bless and keep safe our fighting men and women.)
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To: nickcarraway

I don't understand how this guy does it, but he's unreal.


3 posted on 06/11/2005 1:23:54 AM PDT by LAURENTIJ
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To: nickcarraway

Before he climbs, he should always leave a deposit just in case they have to scrape up his remains with a putty knife.


4 posted on 06/11/2005 2:02:39 AM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (*Gregoire is French for Stealing an Election*)
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To: nickcarraway
"I can't talk to you right now. I'm climbing,'' said Robert, renowned for scaling buildings without ropes or other equipment.

What an obscure way for a Frenchman to surrender.

5 posted on 06/11/2005 2:33:10 AM PDT by EGPWS
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To: nickcarraway
In December, Robert scaled the world's tallest building, Taiwan's Taipei 101. It took him nearly four hours to reach the top of the 508-meter (1,679-foot) building _ nearly twice as long as he had expected _ because it was raining.

The last man in France with balls, and he has to climb buildings for a living.

They need to make him president.

6 posted on 06/11/2005 3:28:22 AM PDT by TomB ("The terrorist wraps himself in the world's grievances to cloak his true motives." - S. Rushdie)
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To: nickcarraway

So what is the technique used? Suction cups? Ropes? Surely one can't just climb up a sheer building with no equipment at all.


7 posted on 06/11/2005 3:35:06 AM PDT by SamAdams76 (Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit's Done Got Out Of Hand?)
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To: nickcarraway

8 posted on 06/11/2005 3:42:25 AM PDT by csvset
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To: SamAdams76

Over the backs of others.


9 posted on 06/11/2005 4:46:58 AM PDT by battlegearboat
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To: LAURENTIJ
I saw a documentary on him a few years ago. He really is quite amazing to be able to perform these feats.
10 posted on 06/11/2005 4:49:02 AM PDT by Red Sea Swimmer (Tisha5765Bav)
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To: Red Sea Swimmer

I think I would have to agree, but please no film at eleven, and where is the disclaimer about professionals at work, don't try this at home?


11 posted on 06/11/2005 5:37:08 AM PDT by wita (truthspeaks@freerepublic.com)
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To: wita

PS, most folks wouldn't do this if a ladder was attached to the building. Stairs and elevators are so much easier getting to the top. What does this guy do for a living that he can jet around the world climbing tall buildings seemingly at will?


12 posted on 06/11/2005 5:40:27 AM PDT by wita (truthspeaks@freerepublic.com)
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To: wita
What does this guy do for a living that he can jet around the world climbing tall buildings seemingly at will?

I read a Babblefish translation of this story from LeMonde, (a French newspaper and the source of the photo I posted).

He stated something along the lines of , "I can't work a normal job". He's sponsored by companies, (such as Golden Palace.Com), to do these climbs.

13 posted on 06/11/2005 5:44:41 AM PDT by csvset
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To: csvset

I'd say he has built himself a pretty good business. Not much compettition. He better start preparing for retirement right now. He wont' be able to do this when he turns (insert age).


14 posted on 06/11/2005 5:50:48 AM PDT by wita (truthspeaks@freerepublic.com)
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To: Nightshift

ping


15 posted on 06/11/2005 5:52:06 AM PDT by tutstar ( <{{--->< Impeach Judge Greer http://www.petitiononline.com/ijg520/petition.html)
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To: wita

One can only hope that this will inspire lots of 'copycats' - it would certainly help thin the gene pool and make entertaining reading for the Darwin awards.


16 posted on 06/11/2005 6:07:37 AM PDT by NHResident
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To: wita
He won't live to retirement age. Sooner or later, the odds are going to catch up with him. But at least he'll go out doing something he likes.

I like to hike and my dream is to die on the trail in the middle of the woods in Maine someplace. Preferably when I am in my 80s or 90s. In fact, if I know I am dying, I'll probably just get a good book, a jug of good whiskey and walk on out in those woods one last time.

17 posted on 06/11/2005 7:46:04 AM PDT by SamAdams76 (Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit's Done Got Out Of Hand?)
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To: SamAdams76

If this is the same guy I'm thinking of, he uses powder on his hands to prevent sweaty fingers.

...and that's about it.


18 posted on 06/11/2005 7:49:26 AM PDT by RandallFlagg (Roll your own cigarettes! You'll save $$$ and smoke less!(Magnetic bumper stickers-click my name)
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To: wita
I'd say he has built himself a pretty good business. Not much compettition. He better start preparing for retirement right now. He wont' be able to do this when he turns (insert age).

Or, when he turns (insert height, size of puddle, depth of crater, etc).
19 posted on 06/11/2005 7:51:28 AM PDT by RandallFlagg (Roll your own cigarettes! You'll save $$$ and smoke less!(Magnetic bumper stickers-click my name)
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To: nickcarraway
French 'Spiderman' Scales 62-Storey Hong Kong Skyscraper

Misleading headline!

French 'SpiderFROGman' Scales 62-Storey Hong Kong Skyscraper

There! That's better

20 posted on 06/11/2005 9:22:05 AM PDT by Itzlzha ("The avalanche has already started...it is too late for the pebbles to vote")
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