Climbing a 300’ Tower

[@WayneDisney-t6i]

I volunteered to go up 75 feet on a TV tower years ago. Pucker factor was high on the scale that day. Was a nice day, 80 degrees, no wind, told our tech to never ask me again! These guys that do tower and tree work have balls the size of church bells!

[@bradbaxter76]

💯

[@Johnnyreengo]

Gotta trust your gear

[@JohnnyBravo-n9o]

Do they clang like church bells....LOL

[@kens.3729]

Nerves of Steel. Thank GOD there are people like you that can safely do this. 👍🙏

[@ErikO2409]

Installers: “ yeah let’s cut the ladder at about 200 feet, they won’t need it “

[@samcorbett8783]

"Heh...you know what would REALLY freak 'em out? Lets make em climb the structure beams about halfway just cause"

[@samcorbett8783]

@BigWhite910 LOL

[@KehHs-l8b]

Lotta work to swat a bird

[@Roosternurse]

Why do I watch this? 😂😂 I am drawn up in a knot the whole time,,,got my respect and admiration!

[@bobsacamano2435]

I'm not gonna lie, I prep, wear the exact safety climbing gear and GoPro, and always take time for a good smoke when getting up and down on my step stool.

[@timpritts1499]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@chris5942]

Lolololol

[@centexan]

300 feet doesn't seem like so much when running with a football goal line to goal line. But when you are looking at it straight up, it's a whole new world. A world not many people work in.

[@Believebible]

You guys are brave Americans.. you’re the kind of guys that win wars

[@RalphsPier1961]

This takes strength, gotta be in shape! Guys got guts to do this. When I was 19, I worked at a feed mill. My boss and I climbed 175 feet high to get a stuck feed bag out of the top auger motor. It was 10 below zero, windy. Feed Mill sat next to a double railroad track. You guessed it, while we were at the top, 2 trains passed each other. Tower was swaying. I thought we were going to die.

[@bradbaxter76]

Sounds like a wild ride.

[@LinuxJedi]

i would’ve been up that in 3 minutes no breaks and no safety equipment

[@joshsarabia]

@@LinuxJedisure bud

[@freedomisfromtruth]

@@LinuxJedi Then you wake up

[@FlameNM]

Lmaooo fuck that

[@dansteel9873]

I worked with a lot of clowns in my 29 years doing that and I gotta say my compliments. Your safety practice and apparent skill level are worthy of bechtel.

[@stufrags]

What is their job title?

[@bamf9285]

@@stufragsTower Technician

[@richardrozales1356]

A cigarette? Lol dude is relaxed

[@Dannny_Mac]

What’s a Bechtel? My father and I climbed towers for Texas Eastern for 7 years together before he retired. I went on climbing another 15 years after that. I can tell you I MISS HIM AND THOSE DAYS WE SPENT OUT THERE!❤️

[@dmwi1549]

Oh HELL NO! I have a 30’, 3 leg TV antenna tower. That’s my limit. Of course once you’re over 30’ it’s pretty much game over on impact anyway. It’s simply a matter of how big the ground dent will be. Thank you for the job you do. And for sharing your video.

[@jerryhubbard4461]

I never was a tower climber but I did operate a tower crane that was 280 feet in the air. The exciting thing about the tower crane was its constant swaying with the load or wind. The company paid an extra half hour to climb and half hour over time coming down each day. Also as an elevator construction worker I was introduced at a young age what it was to work in high places. It is not really that bad if you work safe. The hardest part about this job here is climbing straight up. Have to be in shape.

[@dougnorton5143]

I got dizzy just sitting in the chair watching this, I now have to go lie down and rest!

[@MrMike77471]

I'm getting vertigo just watching the video. I can't imagine actually climbing that thing. I don't know what they pay you guys, but . . . IT AIN'T ENOUGH!!!!

[@MrMultitool]

NO amount of money would be enough for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@livingstones1196]

I'd guess Tens of thousands $$$$ for the climb!

[@aaadamt964]

They make $16-18/hr in my area.

[@chipsrafferty8362]

@@aaadamt964where do you live?No way.

[@aaadamt964]

@chipsrafferty8362 in ohio between Columbus and mansfield. I lived outside of lima in 2008. We went to Applebee's one night out there and sat next to some guys wearing harnesses. I talk to everyone. Anyway, I got to talking to them and they were building towers in the area. I said something about it sounding fun and being good money. They looked at me like I lost my mind. They were making like $11-12/hr back then. My ex step son works locally for a tower company making $16 or $17. Local factories are around $16-20. So, yeah. Unless you travel or get in a union it doesn't pay anywhere near what you'd think.

[@JB-ef7ks]

My arms n legs would give out from the trembling!

[@scottburns2600]

My palms are sweating just watching this!😂

[@aquablue3803]

OMG LM NERVOUSwhat the hell🎉 does he have. To do

[@timpritts1499]

​@@scottburns2600😂😂😂 So is mine!😂😂😂

[@keen1957]

Nope! I’ve climbed container cranes (85 ft ladder) and just when your legs start to burn you look up and down and realize that you’re just half way.

[@jackreed3445]

I did a 165' structure to install a light and the ladder up from the last platform was only 4 inches higher than the flat tin roof. Not bad going up or working on top but getting back on that ladder over the side of the roof was probably the scariest thing I have ever done including working 600V live cables without gloves in a hot steamy mine shaft. I did have fun telling my mother that I "burned" a 60' pole I was climbing, being a rotten teenager, then finally telling her I was only 2' off of the ground when my hooks came out of the wooden pole. I've done a lot of high work but watching these things now many years later makes my stomach feel queezy. You have big brass ones and faith in your equipment.

[@livingstones1196]

Have you ever shouted, "Harry....I've reached the Top" once there? hehe That's cool beans. It takes some real courage to do what yall do!

[@pruzzy220]

Bad ass I’d love to do that one day!

[@EmptyHandshake]

I would have to wear a GoPro *AND* take my R6m2, about 3 batteries and a couple SD cards on the one day that I attempt it.

[@markp8581]

no you wouldnt

[@MarcusGoodwyn]

I love how that other dude just fired up a cig at the top

[@scrappyhustler7467]

Its a cigg worthy climb tbh

[@GordiansKnotHere]

As he should- I'd light up a sunbaked cigar myself...

[@rn4vetsny304]

LOL I am here sweating bullets watching and the dude is as cool as a cucumber smoking a cigarette at 300 feet. Have you ever thought about seeing a Psychiatrist? 😅 stay safe up there in the clouds guys!!!

[@beachthor1]

Spider tattoo, cigarette at the top that never gets ashed, this all checks out.

[@alexberry8299]

Man all i can think about is how amazing it'd be to take a dump from up there. It actually should be a requirment when you get to the top. I need to grow up

[@user-se5zz3yj9c]

Yah your a special kind of roustabout…that should be grounded forever 🤷‍♂️🙃😜

[@UrbanAggression]

Ur sick...

[@franklinmcpherson9901]

You do need to grow up. Still kinda funny😊

[@timpritts1499]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@-KingOfKhaos]

Really that was your first thought? Before stuff like trying to hit ground targets with bolts or marbles, or hitting birds with a slingshot at altitude, or putting the phone video camera on and then filming as you drop the phone… the list is endless and you went to “taking a dump” 😂😂😂😂 To each their own I guess lol.

[@raybird7111]

Coworkers on the ground > I think I felt a rain drop, me too. Climber….. Hawk Tuah 💦💀

[@Brandonreisinger]

What kind of block is that?

[@leastcoast5606]

Climbed 300 ft power transmission towers but didn't use that contraption. Had a body belt we used once we got to where we were going but no clipping off on the way up. Hardest part was the climbing up. Don't miss it though, 77 now 😂 We did have steps on the sides the whole way, some had ladder. I have admit the last with no ladder had to be rough. Young man's game.

[@dansteel9873]

I went up a 300 guy tower at lake of the Ozarks and the view was amazing enough but then I saw a golden eagle soaring about 50 feet below me and it was heavenly.

[@intheairwithsam]

Such an incredible feeling! I saw a bald eagle yesterday and had a similar moment.

[@paulsongy8366]

Don't forget the new light bulb

[@bcrusher1979]

Awwwwwwwwwwwww Sh!t!!!!!!! lol

[@timpritts1499]

😂😂😂😂 I know I would forget the new light bulb! 😂😂😂

[@ikilledfritz671]

That's one of those new Petzl Class II harnesses reinforced for gigantic steel balls.

[@owensweetland342]

My friend Shane did this as well. Like it was nothing. Amazing!

[@targettony1122]

I've done the 60 ft silos at work a few times. But damn 300 ft😮 so I have an idea of the safety gear used. I find it strange that the ladder just stops and now he's free climbing. 👍

[@redpower1466]

I was thinking the same thing, I don’t understand why the ladder couldn’t have went to the top.

[@aaronhausken3226]

not free climbing, notice the cable, he is connected 100%, the extra clip he attached to the tower is for his seat. he will have 2 other lanyards for attaching when he has to move away from the cable. the ladder isn't needed once the tower sections get shorter at the top. at that point a ladder is just uneeded wind loading on the tower.

[@robertclubs9908]

Awesome job my friend.

[@clayfree7428]

My hat’s off to you buddy! No way in hell! I would rather wash cars in the Walmart parking lot for $5 a car……..😅

[@intheairwithsam]

You'd stay busy, a $5 car wash is an incredible value these days! I think I paid that much for a bag of peanuts earlier today.

[@stephengass6067]

Much respect I can't even get on a 2 story roof without my knees knocking.

[@tomchidwick]

31:10 "It's nice doing only 300 foot" Whaaaaaat??!!

[@intheairwithsam]

Climbed and rigged 1,000’ last week! The tv and radio broadcast towers I work on are typically between 800-2000’ tall.

[@tomchidwick]

@@intheairwithsam Respect. That is impressive!

[@Justin-g5k2i]

Id love to see how they assemble these towers , crazy

[@KennethKissinger-x8x]

It looks like the pre-fab 20' sections of tower and then lift them up to the tower as they build. there are circular plates bolted together at intervals.

[@BluesyBor]

It's quite... thin for that height, especially for a self-supporting tower. Not to mention the lack of proper ladder in the upper half... I hope they're paying you more than enough for this job.

[@mikemakuch2824]

I'm dizzy just watching this. You my friend, have way more balls than I would ever think possible! God bless you. Good Luck.

[@dakota7397]

Imagine the guy smoking a cig up there.

[@EmptyHandshake]

@@dakota7397 And climbing 300' to smoke that cigarrette!

[@michaellake5269]

When I was 17, I climbed a 240' tower on a dare (twice). Now I'm 67 and a stepladder scares me.

[@timpritts1499]

😂😂😂😂 Me Too!😂😂😂😂

[@EmptyHandshake]

@@timpritts1499 Wait till you kids reach 70 ! LOL

[@Scotts_Status]

Holy Mary, mother of God… I got dizzy, sitting in a chair, watching you!

[@markshepherd148]

I was thinking thru the whole video that this would be a bad job for a smoker and then the other guy shows up and lights a cigarette pretty much amazing

[@StephenKiely-y3j]

I can only admire people with nerves of steel

[@rollins360]

Oh man I’m glad for people like you, I don’t have the sack for that. I feel like my equilibrium would be off balance 20’ up. 😂😂😂

[@jRieg]

I have a 2 story house and I won't even get up on the roof. LOL Your amazing my friend.

[@cathyking8013]

omg i am getting dizzy and he hasn't started. i hope this guy gets paid a ton of money because there is not enough money in the world to get me to do it. he is so brave. he doesn't even sound nervous.

[@ghostrider729]

Nope!!! I'm happy being a EMS!!! U guys are something else!!!👍

[@rollins360]

Soon as he runs out of ladder, he’s like “ Sweet, perfect “

[@dansteel9873]

Interesting the personnel ladder only goes half way. It looks like a new tower so I assume you're there to finish it. I can't tell if that's a t.s.i. or pyrod. I know it's not a rohn. Leblanc is out of business or I would have thought it was one of theirs. It's only 300 feet but with the surrounding area it's a beautiful view isn't it.

[@intheairwithsam]

The tower was manufactured by Bell Towers in Oklahoma (also where this tower is). We were just there for half a day troubleshooting an issue with their lighting system.

[@dustincallison7650]

@@intheairwithsamwhat part of Oklahoma was this. As this is where I live.

[@rogergardner7740]

"You going with me tonight to the gym after work?"

[@michaelmenart6121]

Just hope all welds on tower ladder and lattice are perfect!

[@intheairwithsam]

Me too! Since getting certified earlier this year I'm itching to do some tower welding myself.

[@chris5942]

Corporate saved 50 bucks cutting that ladder short.

[@dansteel9873]

If you had a 5 gallon bucket, a long screwdriver and 18 inches of 12 solid you could listen to the station you're working on.

[@fhowland]

they definitely turn the transmitter off when guys will be this close to the antenna.

[@dansteel9873]

Oh but then I noticed the cotton poly rope.gotta deduct 2 points for that. What is it's breaking strength? 750 pounds. Before any knots. Cut that in half even if you only have one bowline on the load end. 52 percent if it's an outside bowline. I always insisted on powerbraid. Either half inch or nine sixteenths. Never Kern mantle because it's notorious for not holding a knot. even if you tape the tail.

[@garygoode8065]

I worked Derrick's on a drilling rig about 10 years not afraid of heights, this is something else.

[@Azdude801]

My respect to you, brother. It takes a different kinda breed to do that kinda work.

[@ttgk8506]

The designers couldn't be bothered to make the ladder go all the way up?

[@nickfish3545]

I’m pretty sure the idea is to make it where people don’t want to climb it

[@user-se5zz3yj9c]

And you are who to question why…could be anything from making access for those qualified only…to engineering of weight and wind balances at that height. Just wondering if you have knowledge or just a flunky on a couch that only watches peeps perform Work🤷‍♂️ I watch….I work.. and know why….just wondering who are you to ask lol😂😂😂 Get back to your smoothie and Gov Check

[@davet6567]

Crazy as hell what you all do. Be safe out there.

[@Jcozz]

Good call backing up the clove hitch.

[@-KingOfKhaos]

Yeah I was hoping someone would catch that… excellent safety protocols demonstrated here by the looks of it.

[@T-Man252]

I hope these guys are making some serious money doing this

[@sandymoses6302]

Prayers from , Michigan USA ❤

[@bendierking6986]

*Climbs to the top* "...Ah s&%t. I forgot a tool. Welp. Gotta go down!"

[@jeromycaballero91]

You should play suspense movie music. Obviously you weren’t in any danger of falling, but does the audience need to know that?😊

[@calvinbass1839]

No, I don't have the lightbulb.....I thought you were bringing it.....😮

[@goalie2998]

This makes me sweat watching. Do you guys have a specific rescue plan ? Like how would you get down in an emergency? Also are there no guy wires on this thing ? How mucb does it move ?

[@goutvols103]

Thanks for sharing. Is the vertical steel cable another safety cable?

[@intheairwithsam]

The 3/8" cable that runs up the length of the climbing face is a safety cable, we attach to it with a ladsaf ladder climbing safety device.

[@karltite128]

Much respect and thanks for a content that , to me anyway, never gets old. Im almost certain that you fellows are familiar with steeple jack Fred Dibnah over there in England. If not he's on you tube. Carry on.

[@tommygowan3591]

I've clean my 125 foot beacon light at a small airport here where I live and it has a round expanded metal basket at the top and when the wind is blowing it would sway 3 feet side to side because it was just a 18" metal pole

[@135-j]

Where

[@rogered5499]

Not just pulling body up the ladder but a lot of metal, tools, clips etc.

[@intheairwithsam]

It all adds up quickly!

[@Sh4tterdL0g1c]

Good climb. I’d prefer my backup a bit higher but I don’t know how those work on steel ropes. Otherwise this looks pretty fun, other than being out of breath😂

[@petesherwood5450]

Why do most riggers use 3 ply line for hauling equipment up and down? I did a heap of tower work back in the day and I hated 3 ply, it was always twisting up and then the equipment would spin like a top. Not cool when it's a $5000 microwave dadio dish. I ended up buying a braided line and used that, it was vastly better. No tangles, no spinning under load. The other more experienced riggers I was working with refused to use it.... but none of them could offer a reasonable explanation why.

[@intheairwithsam]

Typically the only thing we’re lifting with rope on a cathead is our tag line. One we rig the tower with our hoist, small loads are lifted in or attached to the manbasket and large loads are lifted with steel cable load line. We like the 3 ply because we can cut it to length, splice multiple ropes together, and put eyes into the rope.

[@abc-wv4in]

Please always be safe! Most dangerous job in America and the pay is not nearly good enough. Too many levels of subcontractors for the $$$ to reach the actual workers. Thank you for what you do.

[@zacharygrossman8316]

Have you ever tested to see if it actually holds you? like lean back and fall with the harness even at ground level?

[@j.rcoker9051]

Man i couldn't even watch this from my computer chair without sweating!!

[@topher208regulator]

Mad respect bro! The other guy was showing off smoking a cig thats whats gonna kill him.

[@Juan-s7w]

Mannnnnnn when ur co worker got up on that tower with you was like a gift from God

[@dansteel9873]

It's got a rail for snap ins but you went with butterflies. Interesting.

[@williamcargal7987]

😢😢uu

[@ferrari_guy3570]

You guys are true Heros man!

[@davegeorge7094]

What did you do up there? Saw rope with nothing at end.

[@Kevin-uc8np]

What are those black devices mounted on the far side of the tower?

[@vanbraxton8422]

No way could I EVER!!!!! Do that Job😢😂

[@volsown]

This is wild. I struggle being on 12 story scaffolding

[@willierants5880]

Question, I see those clouds there. Have you ever been on a tower when it was struck by lightning?

[@intheairwithsam]

I have not but know a couple people who have been on the big tv towers. They’re fine, they were on a ladder inside the tower, the lightning traveled down the legs to the tower grounding. I don’t want to test it tho and definitely wouldn’t want to be on a cell tower that was struck!

[@OutlawEntertainmentlmc]

​@@intheairwithsamhave you ever seen bad weather approaching? Twisters?

[@bobobaggins2034]

That looks like o shit a pop up thunderstorm territory.😂

[@fergieferguson2457]

Well hell with all the safety gear hell that’s a piece of cake!hell when I was a teenager we would climb towers while holding our beer with no safety gear

[@dwightr8590]

They’re both bad asses especially the one smoking a cigarette at 300’…❗️

[@brian7327]

Was that tower made by older design company Central Tower or do you know

[@intheairwithsam]

This tower was made by Bell Tower in Oklahoma!

[@shable1436]

I climbed radio towers before, and i will never use leather gloves again climbing, the mechanix type gloves with grip is way better.

[@davet6567]

One more…..15 minutes…..for real man……id still be climbing today lol. Kudos

[@justicelut]

Guts effort!

[@timhalstead9790]

I’m glad all my years working at AT&T, my cell site ckt work was all on the ground inside the hut

[@robertbdesmond]

You’ve got balls of steel! WOW!

[@dannyo3317]

What's with the hardhat on backwards thing I see going on with construction crews and others?

[@intheairwithsam]

Personal preference. I go full brim for slightly more sun protection.

[@roberthulkoff202]

Respect to you man. Question: Why doesn't the ladder go to the top? Just curious.

[@intheairwithsam]

My best guess is to not cause signal reflection for the radio station broadcasting from the tower

[@Nova-m8d]

It's strange there's no electric winch at the bottom with a pulley at the top to transport workers and equipment.

[@dansteel9873]

Rigger or tower hand. In the old days they were called steeple jacks.

[@dustincallison7650]

You would like Fred Dibnah.

[@soloman4547]

Would have been nice to see the ladder system go on further, rather than ending so far from the top. Much respect! Stay safe 🙏

[@joedirt5463]

Why doesn't the ladder go up the last 100'? When I was in high school,one of my jobs was to install color head antennae on 40 and 60' self supporting towers for my parents TV antenna company. I thought that was bad ass. This is a whole different level of bad assery.

[@intheairwithsam]

Less weight and cost to build a climbing face into the tower, also a ladder could mess with the signal they're broadcasting!

[@josephc3276]

All the women that say there's no need for men. Have I got a job for you 😂😅😂😅!!!!

[@Nuttyirishman85]

What are you using for a self belay device? Where tf did partner come from? Had to edit.

[@benicamenica1557]

Not me! No way Jose! Not even going on a step stool a foot high!

[@jeffkablock3229]

man oh man now that a job and a half !

[@vanbraxton8422]

Who could ever want to do that job? WHO!!!