Of Course We Climbed The Bridge...

What else would we do, something sensible? It was not the best day to do anything other than bundle up and keep warm and dry. However after a considerable delay while the Australian Authorities ensured that we were all fit to enter the country, the ship was cleared. We four were off to find the Bridge Climb office to see what the chances were to book a climb. We had heard stories of no climbs, or fully booked and all that nasty stuff.

As we stumbled closer to the office we began to see indications that this may actually happen. The "Climbs Available Today" took away most doubt.




After a few questions to the clerk, the three of us, Jim, Fellette and I found ourselves waiting in a small enclosure with other eager climbees.


When our group was called, [10:45 AM], 9 very young and healthy looking people stepped up, we three followed. We gave farewell hugs to Gail, who elected to have a few hours of quiet time with her credit card.

The ritual of equipping us seemed to go on forever. Strip down to underwear and a shirt. Nothing other than glasses and rings can be on your person, Buck-Rogers jump suit, [zip down the back], rain pants, heavy-duty climbing harness, hip bag with a fleece, hip bag with a rain jacket, portable radio [?], high-tech head phones that work on jaw bone vibration, handkerchief attached to a wristband, and a cap or hat. All of the attachments are held onto the jump suit with cords or lanyards so nothing is able to fall or blow off to the traffic and people below. Even the rain coat and fleece is not fully detachable from the packet it is in that is attached to you.

When fully dressed we looked like puffy overweight star-trekkers that more waddled than walked. We were then put through a short simulated walk on a miniature arrangement of ladders and walk-ways with our sliding harness gizmo attached to the walkways. It is a very slick method of keeping us attached to the bridge.

Next, to the bridge. Now unfortunately, my plan to take a small camera was thwarted by common sense and the metal detector we had to walk through after we first put on our Buck Rogers suit. We now know which women wear wire supported bras!

There are two different climbs available on the bridge. One, the original I assume, walks only on the 'arch' of the bridge. We took the first one that became available, which was the other more convoluted and I think interesting climb. We went through the approaches to the bridge just below the roadway and then ascended up to the lower 'arch' at some times walking out and around girders and bridge super-structure. There is an amazing maze of access walks and climbing points for maintenance workers that was neat to see and understand.

Eventually we were at the very, very, very, very TOP. As you can see the weather had worsened as we climbed, by the time we reached the peak [sorry... top], we were all wearing every piece of available clothing issued to us.




After several minutes including photos by the guide, we started the descent, down the other side of the bridge. It was as interesting as going up.

It took as long to disrobe and get undressed as it did to dress. We then were given the complimentary photo of the group and purchased a couple of us three lunatics, met Gail, gave her 'glad to see you' hugs and then went for lunch, fish & chips and beer, [for some].


From start to finish it took 3 1/2 hours. We then walked to the Opera House as the weather cleared. It was only then that I for one realized the guide was not kidding when he said we had walked 1400 steps and used 600 calories in the climb.

Gail made a suggestion that we all quickly agreed upon: go back to the ship, have a rest and see what we feel like in two hours. This we did, and in two hours we were showered, ready to go again, had a bite to eat on board and walked through the beautiful and safe streets of downtown Sydney.



Jim and I were playing with our new-found ability to take pictures after sunset with the night setting of our cameras.

We agreed to establish contact if and when we felt like it in the morning. For the first time in 36 days we did NOT order coffee for 6 in the morning. We awoke at 7:15. I can hardly walk!