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'Spider-Man' Climbing Dubai's Monster Tower

France's Alain Robert is going up another one

By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 28, 2011 4:00 PM CDT

(Newser) – Alain Robert, known as "Spider-man" for his penchant for illegally scaling the world's tallest skyscrapers, is on his way up the world's tallest: Dubai's dizzying half-mile-tall Burj Khalifa. The 48-year-old Frenchman set off just before 6pm local time, and the trip up was expected to take him six or seven hours, notes the AP. Four hours in, he had scaled two-thirds of the 2,717 feet.

Robert's only concession to organizers is the use of a rope and harness, though he didn't appear to be relying on either. The AP notes that an ambulance waited at the foot of the tower. Robert's previous climbs include the New York Times building, the Empire State Building, Chicago's Willis Tower, Kuala Lumpur's Petronas Towers, and Taiwan's Taipei 101, previously the world's tallest building. Click here for more on Robert.

In this Tuesday, April 27, 2010 file photo, the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
In this Tuesday, April 27, 2010 file photo, the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.   (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File)
French climber Alain Robert scales the 828 meter World's tallest tower Burj Khalifa in Dubai on March 28, 2011.
French climber Alain Robert scales the 828 meter World's tallest tower Burj Khalifa in Dubai on March 28, 2011.   (Getty Images)
French climber Alain Robert scales the 828 meter World's tallest tower Burj Khalifa in Dubai on March 28, 2011.
French climber Alain Robert scales the 828 meter World's tallest tower Burj Khalifa in Dubai on March 28, 2011.   (Getty Images)
French climber Alain Robert scales the 828 meter World's tallest tower Burj Khalifa in Dubai on March 28, 2011.
French climber Alain Robert scales the 828 meter World's tallest tower Burj Khalifa in Dubai on March 28, 2011.   (Getty Images)
French climber Alain Robert scales the 828 meter World's tallest tower Burj Khalifa in Dubai on March 28, 2011.
French climber Alain Robert scales the 828 meter World's tallest tower Burj Khalifa in Dubai on March 28, 2011.   (Getty Images)
French Spider-man Alain Robert climbs up Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, March 28, 2011.
French Spider-man Alain Robert climbs up Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, March 28, 2011.   (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
French Spider-man Alain Robert climbs up Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, March 28, 2011.
French Spider-man Alain Robert climbs up Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, March 28, 2011.   (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
French Spider-man Alain Robert climbs up Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, March 28, 2011. He began his ascent just before 6pm.
French Spider-man Alain Robert climbs up Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, March 28, 2011. He began his ascent just before 6pm.   (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
Alain Robert, also known known as the French Spider-man,  poses in front of Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower which is plans to climb, Monday, March 28, 2011, in Dubai.
Alain Robert, also known known as the "French Spider-man," poses in front of Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower which is plans to climb, Monday, March 28, 2011, in Dubai.   (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
digitalbuddha
Mar 29, 2011 11:10 AM CDT
This dude makes me super nervous
roostishaw
Mar 29, 2011 5:13 AM CDT
"Robert's only concession to organizers is the use of a rope and harness..." I thought his whole schtick was free-climbing. Lame.
pissdatworld
Mar 29, 2011 3:09 AM CDT
Seems like the coroner would be there instead of an ambulance. Hope he makes it :)

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