Scaling new heights for Abseil for Youth

JOURNALIST Heather McNab redefined the term “intrepid reporter” when she abseiled off a 33-storey building in Sydney’s CBD for a good cause.

SYDNEY isn’t a scary city. It’s people are friendly, it’s animals are domesticated — even it’s winters have less bite than they used to.

Head to the top of a 33-storey building, however, and your opinion will change. Sydney may be beautiful, but from 135m up, it’s definitely frightening.

135m up is exactly where I found myself, strapped into a harness that I hoped to heaven would hold and leaning out over the side of the Investa BT Tower in the CBD.

Reporter Heather McNab starts the descent with other adventurous souls for Abseil for Youth. Picture: Craig Greenhill

Halfway through the descent. Picture: Craig Greenhill

In October, brave individuals will abseil the building to raise money as part of Abseil for Youth, a fundraising event for the Sir David Martin Foundation which supports youth struggling with substance addictions.

While my idea of “thrill” is accidentally setting off the hand dryer in the bathroom, I found myself roped in — literally — to the challenge.

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By the time I arrived at the building, I was already employing several different relaxation breathing techniques.

While I’m not afraid of heights, I am afraid of dying — a phobia I feel is completely reasonable under the circumstances.

With my helmet strapped on my head, my harness around my waist and my heart in my throat, I scaled to the 33rd floor in a very civilised manner — the elevator.

Stopping to say hello to office workers. Picture: Craig Greenhill

Enjoying the view from 1 Market Street Sydney. Picture: Craig Greenhill

Stepping out onto the roof was quite surreal. The last time I saw that many ropes was during a mast-raising sequence in Pirates of the Caribbean, and Orlando Bloom was nowhere to be seen.

The closer I inched towards the edge of the roof, the larger the Sydney skyline loomed.

I gingerly climbed over the railing, refusing to look anywhere but straight ahead.

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The sky was clear, the wind was high and there were lots of people watching. I had nowhere to go but right over the edge.

Sitting back in the harness and leaning out over the edge of the building was the most nerve-racking part. It goes against all your instincts, most of which are chastising you for putting yourself in this situation.

Waving to those on the ground. Picture: Craig Greenhill

Reaching the ground after 33 storeys of drop. Picture: Craig Greenhill

But, once you’re over, with your feet firmly planted and the sweeping view of Sydney Harbour reflecting off the building, all of that quietens as floor by floor, the city rises to meet you.

The serenity of the view was only interrupted by curious office workers who rushed to the window to wave and give the thumbs up.

A quick abseil takes about 20 minutes. I completed mine in about 30, which isn’t too shabby for someone who views swing sets with suspicion.

Once on the ground, the instructor said he was worried about how long I was taking until he realised I was just stopping to wave into each floor.

The last 30m was a pure wave of exhilaration as I shimmied down the line. I missed the target but didn’t knock anyone when I landed so, I’d call that a success.

On the ground, it was easy to forget why I was scared at all. Sydney, you gorgeous thing, you’re always a surprise.

Sportsman Jude Bolton with wife Lynette before they took the plunge. Picture: Matias Gwyther

Jude Bolton abseiled face first down the 33-storey building. Picture: Matias Gwyther

Abseil for Youth

SYDNEY’S thrill seekers are invited to take part in the seventh annual Abseil for Youth challenge for themselves.

Jude and Lynette Bolton as well as My Kitchen Rules winners Will Steward and Steve Flood took up the challenge last week.

Participants can register as an individual or as a team to raise money for the Sir David Martin Foundation, which funds Mission Australia’s Triple Care Farm helping young victims of substance addiction.

The program runs from Thursday, October 20 to Saturday, October 22 at 1 Market Street, Sydney.

For the first time, experienced abseilers can opt to go face-first in a nail biting journey while abseiling from the building’s rooftop — 33 storeys, 135 metres high.

To register or for more details, visit theAbseil for Youth website.

Jude Bolton abseiling down after wife Lynette Bolton. Picture: Matias Gwyther

Lynette Bolton scales down to the bottom. Picture: Matias Gwyther