I went out and climbed a cell tower tonight. It started out pretty good I stashed my phone a little ways away behind a rock in some bushes to avoid having it fried. Then I was walking towards the cell tower and stepped in a 10 centimeter deep puddle. So with one wet shoe I continued. The barbed wire fence was easy to bypass. Once inside I started my climb. About 6 rungs up the ladder I saw a railroad crew about 150 meters away so I waited for a few minutes for them to leave. Luckily they left fairly quickly. Then I started my ascent for real. I climbed up halfway before I needed a quick break. My heart was pounding, if somebody had tapped my shoulder then I would have has a heart attack. After a quick rest (15 seconds) I continued. At the top I took some quick photos (read: blurry) On the way down I could hardly stand because my legs seemed to be giving out to the fear and excitement. But they didn't and I made it out safely. Bonus imgur link for easy viewing.




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Wow. Thats pretty cool and crazy!

How common is cell tower climbing? Seems like it would not only be difficult to gain access but also high risk for getting caught and having the charge be more then trespassing.....

Posted by ForgottenRails Wow. Thats pretty cool and crazy! How common is cell tower climbing? Seems like it would not only be difficult to gain access but also high risk for getting caught and having the charge be more then trespassing.....

And with a wet shoe...

Posted by ForgottenRails Wow. Thats pretty cool and crazy! How common is cell tower climbing? Seems like it would not only be difficult to gain access but also high risk for getting caught and having the charge be more then trespassing.....

Gaining access is no problem just walk up to it and hop the fence. (See pic #2)

Not getting caught is another matter my trusty black hoodie blends in well with the black cables running up the tower and with the night sky. It was also starting to rain so normal people would be heading inside. Plus this tower is behind a salt storage for the city and some rail lines so no nosy people around.

You are right about the more then trespassing charges. For this I could be technically be charged with terrorism under C-51 if a judge wanted to stick that on me for "interfering with critical infrastructure"


http://www.theglob...s/article22821691/

Climbing wet steel is a good way to fall. Glad you made it safely but try not to tempt the gods too much in the future.

Yes if I ever decide to go back I will check the forecast and wait until later at night to reduce risk of being seen. That and watch of for damm puddles.

Posted by oakville_explorer Yes if I ever decide to go back I will check the forecast and wait until later at night to reduce risk of being seen. That and watch of for damm puddles.

Get some high top laced leather boots with an aggressive tread suitable for climbing. They make it easier. Running shoes don't work well for climbing steel.
Not many people look up. Your biggest risk is falling. Three points of contact at all times. Make sure each handhold and foothold is true.
Take your time, and when climbing back to the ground; never jump the last few feet.

Posted by blackhawk Take your time, and when climbing back to the ground; never jump the last few feet.

I have to remember that one, I jumped less than 1,5 meters, was enough to sprain my ankle... no walking for a week, and after 3 weeks I'm still feeling this sucker.

Last week a guy in Vancouver climbed a crane in the rain,.he fell and he died.

Be careful....

Posted by Antash I have to remember that one, I jumped less than 1,5 meters, was enough to sprain my ankle... no walking for a week, and after 3 weeks I'm still feeling this sucker.

It's easy to misjudge 3 feet from 6 feet even in daylight unless you are concentrating. It's a common mistake that can prove costly.
Even if your distance is spot on, it only takes a small rock or hole to screw you up good. Plus your muscles are fatigue from the climb and not able to protect you as well from high loading forces. Imagine in the dark what seemed like 5 feet was actually 10 feet or more.

High top boots laced tight will help it heal and protect it.

There was no way in hell that I was going to jump the last few feet. On the tower instead of a climb cage they had some cross braces every 20 rungs. They left about 1.5 feet of space in between the ladder and the brace. Right at the bottom they had a brace that would have prevented me from jumping even if I wanted to. Besides who jump it is riskier and it makes more noise.

Posted by Freaktography Last week a guy in Vancouver climbed a crane in the rain,.he fell and he died. Be careful....

Bump that.
Climbing wet steel is for the birds. Slippery as hell plus the water fouls your gloves. Steel is unforgiving.

Posted by oakville_explorer For this I could be technically be charged with terrorism under C-51 if a judge wanted to stick that on me for "interfering with critical infrastructure" http://www.theglob...s/article22821691/

That's what I was thinkin'......

Posted by ForgottenRails That's what I was thinkin'......

Yes probably not the smartest thing to to but it checks off a box on my uer checklist

Abandoned houses check

Abandoned school check

Abandoned hospital coming coon

Abandoned factory soon

Cell tower check

Rooftops check

Drains coming soon.

I love your enthusiasm man.
Shoot me a pm lets go explore something together.

Also there's nothing wrong with taking drops and jumps while exploring... The issue is not the drops but rather the people doing them. High laced boots wont solve the issue, its like putting a band-aid on a knife wound.

Ive gone exploring a few times where a person makes a normal situation extremely risky and dangerous just because they are out of shape / dont trust themselves / etc.

Posted by MonkeyLunk I love your enthusiasm man. Shoot me a pm lets go explore something together. Also there's nothing wrong with taking drops and jumps while exploring... The issue is not the drops but rather the people doing them. High laced boots wont solve the issue, its like putting a band-aid on a knife wound. Ive gone exploring a few times where a person makes a normal situation extremely risky and dangerous just because they are out of shape / dont trust themselves / etc.

The reason you don't jump when climbing down is sooner or later you'll misjudge. It's a bad habit that you will pay for with blood. Ankles aren't the only thing; knees and back. If you lose control of the jump and smack into steel, expect broken bones. Steel is unforgiving.
It could cost you an expensive cam as well.

Awesome man! Glad to see more tower people!

Wow I love that picture, the subtle God rays add a aspect of allure that is missing from most pictures.

Posted by blackhawk The reason you don't jump when climbing down is sooner or later you'll misjudge. It's a bad habit that you will pay for with blood. Ankles aren't the only thing; knees and back. If you lose control of the jump and smack into steel, expect broken bones. Steel is unforgiving. It could cost you an expensive cam as well.

MonkeyLunk is actually very qualified to make those statements, if there is anyone here who knows the rights and wrongs of jumping, it's him.

Posted by Freaktography MonkeyLunk is actually very qualified to make those statements, if there is anyone here who knows the rights and wrongs of jumping, it's him.

I learned from the best. I've professionally blasted and painted water tanks,bridges, and in a shipyard. Your knees and back have finite limits. Ballistic movements increase the risk of severe injury both acute and chronic. I've seen the injuries caused by falls on steel including one fatality and a lot of casts... you don't play on steel.
I still free climb decades later.
Maintain 3 pts of contact when climbing on steel at all times.