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STRANGE BUT TRUE! 39
FAST FACTS
Spider-Man scaling skyscrapers is the stuff Burj Khalifa, 2011
of superhero stories. But one Frenchman has Empire State Building, 1994
brought comic strips to life with a series of
Sydney Opera House, 1997
incredible climbs. His amazing antics have led Eiffel Tower, 1996
to both awards and arrests around the world. ADIA Building, 2007
Robert has conquered some of
the world’s most iconic buildings.
In 2011 he climbed the world’s
tallest—the 2,716-ft (828-m) Burj
Khalifa in Dubai. The climb was
legal, but he had to use a safety
harness to comply with regulations.
HEART-STOPPING SPORT
Meaning “free from aid,” free solo climbing
involves climbing without ropes or safety BASE jumping is similar to free climbing—
equipment. Climber extraordinaire Alain Robert only in reverse and much quicker. Adrenaline
has reached the summit of the world’s tallest enthusiasts leap from a fixed point, such
buildings, often using just a pair of climbing shoes as a cliff or building. They free-fall before
and his bare hands. Some of his stunts have been opening a parachute just in the nick of
authorized, but he has also been arrested many time to land safely.
times for scaling buildings without permission.
US_038_039_309600_Daredevil_Climber.indd 39 19/12/17 12:55 pm
