It towers 1815 feet into the sky and is Canada’s tallest and most defining landmark. The CN Tower was once the tallest building in the world, but has lost the title to 4 others – the Burj Khalifa (Dubai), the Tokyo Sky Tree (Japan), Cantor Tower (China), Tower of Abraj Al Bait (Saudi Arabia).
For those unfamiliar with the tower, it comprises of two observation decks – the main one, at a height of 346 mts which also houses a revolving restaurant. And the upper deck or Sky Pod which is at 446 mts. That’s 116 floors high!
CN TOWER EDGEWALK – DO YOU DARE?
I love heights so when I heard about the highest, full circle, hands free walk, it took a split second for me to decide to do it. Sticking to the decision, with the family asking “Are you sure?” every 30 seconds, was the tough part.
I should probably mention that no one else, apart from the participants and walk-master is allowed to go up. Much to my disappointment, that meant no pictures!
An hour later, I was in a room with six others at the base of the tower, pulling on an orange jumpsuit and neon yellow harness. With quick instructions from the staff as to what I can and cannot do up there, I was patted down for contraband items. A hair clip, a key, an earring, anything that could pose a hazard to pedestrians below, was taken away. The shoes were inspected to make sure it had a firm grip, and a couple of people were asked to change into non slip shoes provided to them.
Next, the breathalyzer. For those who need a shot of liquid courage to get through the next hour and a half. The harness clasp was checked. Checked again. And again with a wand. This kind of checking probably meant that some seriously scary stuff was about to happen.
Before I knew it, I was in an elevator with a glass floor, being whooshed up in less than a minute. Whooaaaa!!
We arrived at a tiny room where we were hooked with two ropes connecting to a metal rail above our heads that ran around the circumference of the path outside. Heavy duty locking rings were added and secured with a plastic strap, in order to keep nervous fidgeting fingers away from the locking mechanism in a crazed moment.
TOES OVER TORONTO
For a minute, I forgot how to walk. Inching my toes towards the edge, it’s hard to have faith in a steel mesh floor and harness that separates one from the nothingness below. The harness allows one to “push one’s limit” to the maximum and lean over the edge, first face forward, and then by leaning backwards, with the arcs of your feet resting on the rim.
I struggled with the backward lean. What’s funny (now) is one of the girls, Lindsey, chose that particular moment to say to me “If I was to fall off and die, I’d rather go back first than face forward.” My mind was screaming, “THIS IS A BAD IDEA… YOU CANNOT FLY!!!”
You know how they say, “Just trust, don’t question?” Yeah, that’s easier said than done when it comes to the Edgewalk. The endless series of “what-ifs” never stop . What if this rope, tested for 15000 pounds, gives way? What if my harness breaks? What if I lean out too far?
The equally insane guide keeps you company and points out important buildings and landmarks along the 90 minute walk. “If you can walk on the pavement, you’re fine up here,” she said.
One can wander around, take in Toronto from every angle as the sun glistens off the high-rises below, watch planes land and take off at an airport far away, point out helicopters flying below and marvel at Niagara falls in the distance.
Once we were done, we were welcomed into an exclusive group of EdgeWalkers and told that we had repeated a Guinness World Record set in 2011 for the highest external walk on a building. Pretty cool!
A thrill like that doesn’t come cheap. For CAD 200, you also get a CD of the walk, taken from the guide’s GoPro, two photographs and entry into the SkyPod.
If you can handle this vertigo inducing walk, trust me, it’s one of the most exhilarating things you’ll ever experience!