On October 7, 2016, my amazing wife, the daredevil, took the Edgewalk around the roof of the CN Tower in Toronto (the third tallest tower in the world, with the Edgewalk being at the 1168 foot above the ground level). This is her story of that adventure.
"It took me two days to make the decision regarding the Edgewalk on the CN Tower. I wanted to do it! I really wanted to take the walk. But, the daredevil experience cost $225 Canadian dollars per person. That's a lot of money. I knew that Carl wouldn't walk it - he's not a big fan of heights. So I would be the only one - but $225! By the second day, I had convinced myself to do it. I had a 2:00 pm appointment, but had to arrive at least five minutes before the scheduled time. It was now time to put on the the red walk suit. There were five other walkers in the 2:00 pm group; a Scottish couple, a single guy from France, and two Irish Colleens. The Edgewalk workers are very careful to ensure our safety. We all had to sign liability waivers. Let's see, nope, not pregnant; no surgery in the past six months; no seizures nor heart attacks; never experienced vertigo, dizziness, nor loss of balance. And the list went on and on. We even had to take a breathalyzer and be screened for drug use, as well as explosives. Both wrists and ankles were checked for any items that might cause security issues. No jewelry of any kind is allowed - no watch, necklace, rings, earrings,- nothing. If your shoes are at all loose, you'll be given a special, tighter pair. Your harness is adjusted for a personal fit - really tight. My eyeglasses and sunglasses were zip tied together and attached by a lanyard to the back of the jumpsuit. All of the clasps were zip tied , locked, checked, and double checked three times by three different people in the changing room. They don't fool around when it comes to safety.
Next was an elevator ride to the Prep room. There, we were lined up single file and hooked to an overhead steel track. Two more safety checks (for a total of five) by the Walk Master. We were then escorted out to the walkway at the edge of the CN Tower, 1168 feet above the ground.
At first, it seemed surreal that you are up so high on the outside of the structure, tethered to a steel track. Am I really out there? What was I thinking? Then the nerves settled and you feel quite comfortable. Besides walking, we are taught how to hang off the structure. First exercise is to walk to the edge, turn around so that your back is facing outwards, sit in your harness, and then lean backwards over the edge. I was third in line. When the first two were told to stop, their heels were barely over the edge. I wanted my sneakers to be further over the edge, so I took an extra half-step. It worked! Some had an easier time than others, but it all boiled down to courage, confidence, and trust. That tether will not break and you will stay on the structure.
Each of us leaned back off the edge successfully. We then walked a little further around the tower. Now, time for the forward lean - Superman ready to take off, staring at the steep fall to the ground. This takes a great deal of courage. Harder for the less confident, yet still successful for all. We walk some more to the third quadrant for a group hang , all six of us over the edge together. More walking and then the individual backward hang, posing with several hand positions. Then, just like that, your 45 minutes of cheating death are over and you follow the leader back inside to the Prep room to unhook from the steel tracking and remove the lanyards. We ride the elevator down to the change room to remove our harnesses and jumpsuits, and back into our street clothes. Now you are one of the few who have stared death in the face and defied gravity. You are an Edgewalker on the third highest tower in the world!"
"It took me two days to make the decision regarding the Edgewalk on the CN Tower. I wanted to do it! I really wanted to take the walk. But, the daredevil experience cost $225 Canadian dollars per person. That's a lot of money. I knew that Carl wouldn't walk it - he's not a big fan of heights. So I would be the only one - but $225! By the second day, I had convinced myself to do it. I had a 2:00 pm appointment, but had to arrive at least five minutes before the scheduled time. It was now time to put on the the red walk suit. There were five other walkers in the 2:00 pm group; a Scottish couple, a single guy from France, and two Irish Colleens. The Edgewalk workers are very careful to ensure our safety. We all had to sign liability waivers. Let's see, nope, not pregnant; no surgery in the past six months; no seizures nor heart attacks; never experienced vertigo, dizziness, nor loss of balance. And the list went on and on. We even had to take a breathalyzer and be screened for drug use, as well as explosives. Both wrists and ankles were checked for any items that might cause security issues. No jewelry of any kind is allowed - no watch, necklace, rings, earrings,- nothing. If your shoes are at all loose, you'll be given a special, tighter pair. Your harness is adjusted for a personal fit - really tight. My eyeglasses and sunglasses were zip tied together and attached by a lanyard to the back of the jumpsuit. All of the clasps were zip tied , locked, checked, and double checked three times by three different people in the changing room. They don't fool around when it comes to safety.
Next was an elevator ride to the Prep room. There, we were lined up single file and hooked to an overhead steel track. Two more safety checks (for a total of five) by the Walk Master. We were then escorted out to the walkway at the edge of the CN Tower, 1168 feet above the ground.
At first, it seemed surreal that you are up so high on the outside of the structure, tethered to a steel track. Am I really out there? What was I thinking? Then the nerves settled and you feel quite comfortable. Besides walking, we are taught how to hang off the structure. First exercise is to walk to the edge, turn around so that your back is facing outwards, sit in your harness, and then lean backwards over the edge. I was third in line. When the first two were told to stop, their heels were barely over the edge. I wanted my sneakers to be further over the edge, so I took an extra half-step. It worked! Some had an easier time than others, but it all boiled down to courage, confidence, and trust. That tether will not break and you will stay on the structure.
Each of us leaned back off the edge successfully. We then walked a little further around the tower. Now, time for the forward lean - Superman ready to take off, staring at the steep fall to the ground. This takes a great deal of courage. Harder for the less confident, yet still successful for all. We walk some more to the third quadrant for a group hang , all six of us over the edge together. More walking and then the individual backward hang, posing with several hand positions. Then, just like that, your 45 minutes of cheating death are over and you follow the leader back inside to the Prep room to unhook from the steel tracking and remove the lanyards. We ride the elevator down to the change room to remove our harnesses and jumpsuits, and back into our street clothes. Now you are one of the few who have stared death in the face and defied gravity. You are an Edgewalker on the third highest tower in the world!"
"I've paid my money,so....I guess I'm really doing this."
Getting into the jumpsuit in preparation for the walk.
All harnessed up. Is she just waving to me....or saying her last goodbyes?
"Brave" Carl safely watching Lori learning how to trust her tether, on a monitor in the Observation Deck.
The group takes a backwards lean and applauds each other...for not falling off!
The death-defying forward lean.
Lori's official portrait taken by the walk leader
All together now..."Cheese!"
Looks like she is having fun.
It's official...she made it!
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