|
grovehunter
Nov 23, 2005, 5:16 AM
Post #1 of 47
(6702 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 29, 2005
Posts: 227
|
I heard on the news today of a French climber notorious for climbing highrise buildings was arrested today just before attemting to climb a building in downtown Houston. Has anyone else heard anything about this or any details? The news brief was kind of vague. This guy, if it is the same guy I'm thinking of, is into climbing all glass curtain walls 10 stories and up! I work on highrise buildings repairing glass and so forth, so I can confirm this is pretty gutsy. He free solo's the buildings!!
|
|
|
|
|
alleyehave
Nov 23, 2005, 5:23 AM
Post #2 of 47
(6702 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 13, 2005
Posts: 461
|
Yeah, I dont know about the Houston deal, but hes pretty old news...
http://www.alainrobert.com/
|
|
|
|
|
kachoong
Nov 23, 2005, 5:28 AM
Post #3 of 47
(6702 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jan 23, 2004
Posts: 15304
|
In reply to: Alain Robert, 43, dashed from a taxi to the 46-story Houston Center but was stopped just as he was starting his ascent. Police said a reporter had tipped them off to his plans. Houston police charged Robert with criminal trespass and possession of narcotics. They said Xanax tablets were in his bag and it was unclear if he had a doctor's prescription for the anti-anxiety drug. |
|
|
|
|
roshiaitareya
Nov 23, 2005, 5:28 AM
Post #4 of 47
(6702 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Mar 23, 2004
Posts: 345
|
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3478454.html
He should have just acted like "what? I can't come and stare up at this magnificent building?" Instead he tried to make a dash for it and jump and climb it. He's got "massive balls."
|
|
|
|
|
holdplease2
Nov 23, 2005, 5:32 AM
Post #5 of 47
(6702 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 18, 2002
Posts: 1733
|
Wonder if the xanax works as a performance enhancing drug. Kinda like a bong on a wall?
-Kate.
|
|
|
|
|
squierbypetzl
Moderator
Nov 23, 2005, 5:34 AM
Post #6 of 47
(6702 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 6, 2005
Posts: 3431
|
He´s the dude who´s climbed the Eiffel Tower and the Bank of (Malaysia?) towers...
I wonder what brand shoes he wears (though I doubt a sponsorship is in his future).
|
|
|
|
|
grovehunter
Nov 23, 2005, 5:53 AM
Post #7 of 47
(6702 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 29, 2005
Posts: 227
|
Yes, His name is Alain Robert. This isn't his first stunt, he reportedly has climbed many of the world's tallest buildings. Definitly takes some big sacs to do that. One slip and your meat wagon material! I think he gets off on the press. The media was tipped off through an E-mail; now I wonder, who might have done that?
|
|
|
|
|
theman
Nov 23, 2005, 6:02 AM
Post #8 of 47
(6702 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 4, 2005
Posts: 70
|
that website is weak, looks like the guy only free solos, you only get glimpses of the pictures
|
|
|
|
|
roshiaitareya
Nov 23, 2005, 6:08 AM
Post #9 of 47
(6702 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Mar 23, 2004
Posts: 345
|
Only free solos... who cares what kind of climbing he does, it's still gutsy to climb a building. And did you not notice the section of the website labeled "Photos & Videos"? It has a buttload of pictures that you can stare at all you want.
|
|
|
|
|
grovehunter
Nov 23, 2005, 6:09 AM
Post #10 of 47
(6702 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 29, 2005
Posts: 227
|
Yeah his website is weak, but obviously he's not!!
|
|
|
|
|
drector
Nov 23, 2005, 8:04 AM
Post #11 of 47
(6702 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 27, 2002
Posts: 1037
|
I can't remember exactly where it was, probably in Paris on that big square building that's hollow, but he failed at least twice and called for a rescue both of those times. Too hot out and he ran out of chalk and nerve.
Free solo climbing is okay but it's too bad he can't be more private about it.
Dave
|
|
|
|
|
thomasribiere
Nov 23, 2005, 8:45 AM
Post #12 of 47
(6702 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 24, 2002
Posts: 9306
|
He started to free solo in the Gorges du Verdon. Less repetitive than a building face.
|
|
|
|
|
martinheynert
Nov 23, 2005, 9:10 AM
Post #13 of 47
(6702 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 16, 2005
Posts: 82
|
It's "the land of the free and home of the brave" in the American National Anthem. Alain was brave, but the land was not free to let him do.
|
|
|
|
|
healyje
Nov 23, 2005, 9:21 AM
Post #14 of 47
(6702 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 22, 2004
Posts: 4204
|
Xanax is an anti-anxiety drug - I believe that would be aiding in a free soloing context, but it obviously works for him...
|
|
|
|
|
martinheynert
Nov 23, 2005, 9:22 AM
Post #15 of 47
(6702 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 16, 2005
Posts: 82
|
Buildings from the last centuries are easier to climb. Right here in Hannover, one guy - not a climber, but a drinker - entered up the 100 year old fassade of the local newspaper building (see on http://www.hochhaus-lichtspiele.de/geschhoch.htm), maybe UIAA 5.
Or look to the Old Courthouse in Tombstone, Arizona (http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Wyatt_Earp/meeting2.htm). Well structured edges with good grips (white without tickmarks) :lol: Could be difficult to place running belays there and to rappel back, so I'll better let it be :lol: :lol:
|
|
|
|
|
roshiaitareya
Nov 23, 2005, 6:53 PM
Post #16 of 47
(6702 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Mar 23, 2004
Posts: 345
|
"The land of the Free and the Home of the Brave" not "The land of the do-whatever-the-hell-you-want-to" I do think it's unfortunate he got caught, but the laws are there for a reason. What kind of liability do you think it would be if he fell and died? Here in America we're free, and that means free to sue the crap out of anyone that pisses you off.
|
|
|
|
|
dingus
Nov 23, 2005, 7:02 PM
Post #17 of 47
(6702 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 16, 2002
Posts: 17398
|
Xanex? For a free soloist???
THAT'S FUCKING CHEATING!!!
Shit, thats like blood doping in cycling, or steroids in baseball, IT'S FUCKING CHEATING!!!
He deserved to be busted.
HE'S A CHEATER!
DMT
|
|
|
|
|
martinheynert
Nov 23, 2005, 7:03 PM
Post #18 of 47
(6702 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 16, 2005
Posts: 82
|
In reply to: What kind of liability do you think it would be if he fell and died? |
|
|
|
|
kovacs69
Nov 23, 2005, 7:03 PM
Post #19 of 47
(6702 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 16, 2005
Posts: 607
|
Here is the link to the newspaper article on the Frenc Spiderman.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/3479333.html
JB
|
|
|
|
|
dingus
Nov 23, 2005, 7:04 PM
Post #20 of 47
(6702 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 16, 2002
Posts: 17398
|
He's got big balls all right, swollen with xanex!
DMT
|
|
|
|
|
grovehunter
Nov 24, 2005, 1:35 AM
Post #21 of 47
(6702 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 29, 2005
Posts: 227
|
He might be getting too old, hence the Zanax. Anyway I still think he tipped off the media himself. I mean how else could they find out, its almost like he wanted to be caught!!
|
|
|
|
|
onsight_endorphines
Nov 24, 2005, 4:29 AM
Post #22 of 47
(6702 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 14, 2004
Posts: 226
|
At first I thought "CHEATER" too. Question is, does Alain really doubt himself that much before he climbs? Was the One Houston Center climb going to be a particularly difficult one? He could have been taking it to just chill out and enjoy himself......but the badassness is definately not quite 100% anymore...
Picture of One Houston Center:
http://www.emporis.com/en/il/im/?id=355687
I'm wondering, so does he bail himself out of jail everytime, or what?
Publicity: Alain could have told a few people about the climb so that THEY could be there to watch for their own enjoyment. It very well could have been that he accidentally told some dipshit that went and told the cops. But I personally don't think that he did it for mass publicity, but then again, I'm ignorant of his experiences. I do see it as Hey! It's the World's entertainment, he's kind enough to bring it to us.
America, like anywhere else, is the land of the do-whatever-the-hell-you-want -----> IF you're good enough.
|
|
|
|
|
gunksgoer
Nov 24, 2005, 5:01 AM
Post #23 of 47
(6702 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 27, 2004
Posts: 1290
|
When I was in Italy the other year on a (nonclimbing :( ) vacation, we trudged up to the top of the tallest tower in this one old town. While on top, i looked around and enjoyed the view of the other towers, and the old city wall. Then I looked down towards the ground, to look at the stonework on the outside of the tower, and what did I see? A line of pitons running up the side! :lol:
Now thats something you dont see every day!
|
|
|
|
|
dingus
Nov 24, 2005, 7:04 AM
Post #24 of 47
(6702 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 16, 2002
Posts: 17398
|
Oh I'm just having some fun at his expense. No worries. The dude is out there, thats for sure.
DMT
|
|
|
|
|
singin_rocker
Nov 24, 2005, 7:35 AM
Post #25 of 47
(6702 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Feb 12, 2005
Posts: 75
|
In reply to: His own. No one else to sue. Same as if you fell and die at rock climbing.
I don't know what it is that's so hard to understand. He was not on "public land". They would have arrested his butt if he'd insisted on bouldering the reception desk. He would have been in more trouble if he had gotten higher up and had to call a rescue. Just the public disturbance he would cause and blocked off streets would have gotten him busted.
If he wants to get off on free soloing something, go do it on some rocks on some public land or at least somewhere where he has permission. Your remarks about his freedom being limited are off base. You are not free to infringe on the rights of others.
Waylan
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
