Climbing to the Top of the Burj Khalifa -The World's Tallest Building | Behind-the-Scenes

Following his own oft repeated mandate of “getting your camera in a different place,” world renowned photographer Joe McNally had already climbed such famous urban structures as the north tower of the original World Trade Center, the Empire State Building, and the uniquely beautiful Queensboro Bridge in his hometown of New York City.
One structure was missing from his portfolio of urban mountaineering-the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, the towering centerpiece of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. Arching into the desert sky for a little over half a mile, he teamed with superb climbers Mick (Michael Flamson) and Johnny (Johnny Salvador). They began the arduous ascent into the column leading to the very top.
Rung after rung, in blazing heat, they made it up the column to step out onto the roof of the world. The World's Tallest man-made point on the planet. Standing on the railing that holds the aircraft warning lights, McNally made a pictures of Johnny and Mick doing maintenance, as well a picture of his very worn boots, which went viral when published on the Internet. Since then, he has had another adventure on the Burj, going over the side with their legendary team of window washers, who, along with automated washing machines, work to continuously clean the gleaming exterior of the Burj, which is composed of 24,348 windows.
Still photos by Joe McNally and video by Drew Gurian. Music licensing by Triple Scoop Music. TripleScoopMus.... #climbingtallestbuilding #burjkhalifa #topofburjkhalifa

[@JRichie1999]

I love the ground. I really really love the ground

[@FEAROWNAGE]

Jacob Richmond I love the ground, too, -but I also love a clear sky! Just give me a parachute or a wingsuit just in case I fall, a few million dollars, and also a clear sky with a very gentle breeze.

[@haenfindagtakkskalduha1880]

I love the ground but I also like planes

[@peanutswithoutthet7922]

I love the ground but i also love my life

[@josenazario4316]

😂😂😂 me too sky for birds 😂😂🥺🥺🥺😅😅

[@22gunslinger21]

Ew

[@jojoxlt]

My stomach sank through my ass when they got to the top. Never in a million years. Wow.

[@ipad_amy]

You should get that checked

[@blandspaghettidinner8949]

@@ipad_amy They actually died from stomach to ass syndrome. RIP.

[@dreamdream6309]

@@ipad_amy lol

[@madtrucker0983]

@@ipad_amy I guess that would be considered a really bad hemorrhoid. 😂

[@warieo]

Dead serious so did mine. Holy crap every time they showed down and them just hanging there just no

[@tomdefig6514]

My heart started pumping when I saw the final view and angles

[@chillcopyrightfreemusic]

As a photographer didn't you think to shoot a wider lens up there. Still amazing but you really should have gone wider!

[@rich8037]

Maybe he did. I suspect what we're shown in the video is a small selection of his shots, which he probably intends to sell. Well, I would!

[@Joelsfilmer]

That's a 14-24 and a 16mm fisheye. It all looks pretty wide to me.

[@Joelsfilmer]

@@chillcopyrightfreemusic Surely he's shooting full frame.

[@Joelsfilmer]

@@chillcopyrightfreemusic You're talking about the video not the pictures he takes? Of course he has a GoPro on his helmet?

[@machomanic1768]

It looked fish eye already.

[@CharlieEdward25]

Does everyone's hands sweat

[@user-qe5si8gw2t]

yea lol xD

[@CharlieEdward25]

i thought so lol love this thoe would never do it

[@amadorico4129]

Yes

[@Brightfyre123]

YES

[@dougtaylor2803]

I literally have to take breaks from watching this...hands, feet, you name it. If you are prone to anxiety, I don't know if you want to put yourself through this.

[@bobibest89]

Its strange to think that these buildings you see down there are skyscrapers too.

[@nicerice8293]

yeah they are sky scrapers srounding the burj kahlifa

[@clipsyoudontwatch]

Does that make the Burj Khalifa a space scraper?

[@loop5720]

It's like you're on top of clouds when you realized that the height of clouds are already high...

[@charliealbert4663]

@@clipsyoudontwatch Not literally but I think a real space scraper would have to be above 10,000 floors to reach outside of the atmosphere 😬

[@MWCarlsson]

Fantastic and so gutsy - gives me the chills just watching! Well done Joe!

[@hogforJesus]

So cool, man! I had to climb a ladder 30 feet in the air today, and my knees got wobbly. Could never do something like this! God bless you!

[@youmilkpack]

Thank god they have helmets, if they fall it's safer

[@somdood4588]

+Christian Angelo Nilsén If they'd bump their head into a metal pipe or something, without a helmet, they could go unconscious and fall to their death.

[@mo_bi_lal]

hahhaaaaaaa

[@schoohendraworks9424]

safe ? from 300 feet ? your head is safe but not the body :v

[@youmilkpack]

+Suhendra Rais Marry X-mas, you will go far!

[@BloodyBay]

+Christian Angelo Nilsén True story. One time, I saw a guy freehand climb the Sears Tower back around '98. He reached the top, walked away from the edge and out of view, came back to the edge and jumped off. He fell a bazillion stories and hit the asphalt headfirst, rolled around for a bit and got back up like nothing happened. We asked him why he did that, and he said, "Too many people waiting for the elevator." Good thing he was wearing his helmet. *Helmets save lives, folks!* :-D

[@dustxrhythm6939]

Don't worry he has a helmet

[@tapio3376]

Better safe than sorry!

[@RuthlessMcToothless]

Well ya. Imagine going up that ladder and your coworker drops a screw or any other small object hundreds of feet above u and it lands on ur head. You'd be dead, or pretty close to it.

[@user-jn4ih2sy7j]

They actually have parachutes and it can hurt to land on the head.

[@microwave5127]

Yea, you can’t die when you’re wearing a helmet

[@Udhav_sharma]

Oh yes .i dont know about it, now he can jump from top and he will be safe because ha have helmet🤣😂

[@geofferymaxmax]

Mad respect for this guy. This video helped relieve my constipation, thanks 🙏.

[@BOB-id1sl]

I don't understand how ppl aren't afraid of heights, I was shaking just from watching this. I think I could skydive, but I would never be able to stand on the edge like that. Maybe I could stay in that little area up there tho.

[@30yrs.hotelsrestaurants]

Any positive task require adequette training...

[@DanielDeArco]

Joe, I can't believe you're still doing such physically demanding and dangerous work at your age!! So inspiring. You sir have a lot of courage.

[@Praise___YaH]

HERE is The Savior HalleluYAH translates “Praise ye YaH” YaH is The Heavenly Father YaH is Who Created “Man (Adam)” YaH arrives via the TENT OF MEETING YaH was Who they Crucified for the sins OF “Man” ** NO female involved WHATSOEVER ** - Hebrew Book of Isaiah Isaiah 42:8 "I am YaH; that is my Name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. Isaiah 43:11 I, I am YAH, and there is no other Savior but Me. Isaiah 45:5 I am YaH, and there is none else.

[@EduardoHerrera-ou8ug]

No

[@jery214]

Top 2 Luxe hotel Location Cagayan de Oro city Philippines Jkjjjjhh

[@jery214]

Top 2 Tallest buildings Luxe hotel Location Cagayan de Oro city Philippines Hjjhhb

[@bobbymarly1]

That chinese looking man has no fear what so ever, so calm and collected

[@someguyonyoutube4285]

Probably does it all the time

[@offlas32]

probs cant see somthing with his noodle eyes maybe thinking hes lower

[@jfilm1635]

+Joey Crack look at your profile pic kid.

[@offlas32]

Jayden Lo that isnt myn u chineese kid

[@AssassinGamersGamingTM]

+Maruna Junttila Are you Donald Trump lmao

[@muhfux]

Just imagine how wild it must have been for the workers going way up there and hanging from the sides before the building was safely completed

[@chriswatters1049]

Four people died performing the construction for the tower, including one suicide because the company wouldn't let a worker leave until the tower was completed.

[@raymondparsley7442]

They say it takes all kinds, but for this job, it takes one of a kind.... In describing these men, the word missing was "courage" and we know for sure, they possess a lot of it. Thanks for sharing.

[@elasolezito]

I refuse to get into the balcony of my apartment which is 3rd floor...

[@robinkonig5828]

Johan Dale puss

[@viniical]

Johan Dale puss

[@cardinal9009]

Johan Dale puss

[@brianlin5636]

Johan Dale puss

[@saminatabassum3299]

Johan Dale puss

[@KDC93]

My clumsy ass would have dropped that camera lol

[@6ri66s2]

It’s tied to a rope

[@Henry-ir3fq]

As a former Ironworker that has built several skyscrapers. I would love to experience that view...thanks for sharing your experience.

[@Fuzcapp]

I couldn't watch to the end. I could feel myself getting nauseous and slightly dizzy just sitting in my comfy chair. You guys have RESPECT!!!!!

[@Laddima222]

i like the 2 russian guys climbing the second tallest tower with absolutely no ropes or anything+ they are doing it with gopro camera

[@totalconfidencial]

this? /watch?v=gLDYtH1RH-U

[@Laddima222]

Yep

[@noskin.noproblem]

You do this if you don't give a shit about your life ;) One day karma comes around and then you regret that you didn't save your ass with ropes before ruining the street underneath some tower.

[@theone2225]

that's absolutely nuts, watched it earlier.

[@pgplaysvidya]

Peronaut Karma doesn't exist. The universe doesn't have values.

[@madman101213]

Must be hard to climb it with the weight of those balls holding them down.

[@anotheraggieburneraccount]

madman101213 yeah, steel is pretty dense.

[@atnfn]

Think those ropes are rated for that much weight?

[@solcutta-zt9uw]

Wow how many times we heard this jokey phrase now. Haha

[@lopezlopez7808]

@@solcutta-zt9uw must b hard for him to keep gripping his nuts

[@clqudy4750]

perfect!

[@Crazy-Clown-In-Town]

Amazing that a man like you in his 70s still climb the tallest building in the world.

[@madtrucker0983]

I am literally getting dizzy and faint sitting on my couch watching this.

[@Richard__Cranium]

Who else has sweaty palms right now?

[@MetalMarioMan13]

There's vomit on his sweater already, moms spaghetti

[@SharazLT]

He's nervous, but on the surface he looks calm and ready

[@joaquinrodriguez-to2yh]

Sal R to drop bombs but he keeps on forgetting

[@tomthoj3039]

The whole crowd goes so loud he opens his mouth, but the words won't come out

[@Ibrahim-sk5xc]

***** haha its just my mouse

[@shawnm.gillespie1450]

What a fantastic opportunity! Would love to shoot from that platform. Love the fact that you celebrate the people who make it happen and let the photos tell the story; class act!

[@rlewi2ds]

I'm sitting here in Dubai right now. Yesterday I was on the 124th and 125th floor watching the fountains...I could NOT imagine being at the top of this building on the outside...yall dudes are wild!

[@jameswest8280]

I don't have the cojones for that kind of work.

[@megaoption]

"people" who do this I'm convinced are not humans. I just about passed out and my stomach sank just watching this video. There is no amount of money in the world that would make me do this. Not even close. Thank you.

[@CookieRaider1990]

It's called Khalifa because it's as high as wiz Khalifa himself

[@airballlookingass4052]

Ha nice one

[@gdub454]

Josh garza you and 6 other people are lameasfuck

[@robinkonig5828]

xDDD

[@noahwalsh8426]

@@gdub454 yeah now its 90

[@gdub454]

Noah Walsh Is that your "gotcha" moment?..lol@u...just means that 84 more people are lameasfuck as well..thats all...you should speak only when spoken to there chief... out

[@sachinnaphade7688]

The word 'BRAVE' belongs to the workers of 'Burj Khalifa'. You guys just climb on it. Just think of the moment when its in development phase. But I appreciate you too. 👍

[@fromthebackseat4865]

Sachin Naphade Multiple people can be brave. If I jumped in front of a bullet for someone would that make the fireman who ran into a burning building not brave?

[@dannyrutz3792]

He says he appreciated there braveness too didn't say there not brave but it true up there working when one may be tired or hot or hungry or whatever that and putting the framing to place is a whole other of skill

[@tommykalamakis]

A OConnor m8 what are you talking bout this is a tower not a fucking fireman

[@karthikkrishna5870]

Sachin Naphade yeah true fact.

[@karthikkrishna5870]

A OConnor u have pussy that’s why u called for fireman.

[@DaveMovold]

NFW !!! JOE you are the Man !!!....I was freaking out just watching on my computer. Cheers, from Canada

[@UnleashedTraining101]

I wanna jump from the top. A thrilling conclusion, a grand finale.

[@frankdakey8884]

Im sure those balls of steel might of tilt the tower a bit.

[@vertiquee]

what about the people that were building it?

[@artandcraftbyheart9345]

hey man it is 828 meters in height

[@johnnysalvador1117]

Thanks Dude!

[@Coxykiwi]

Put a traffic cone on top of it.

[@earleroy]

Lol take some screws, a power drill, and a traffic cone **whirrrr** Done!

[@92kosta]

You mean VLC Player?

[@delrasshial7200]

you have it, see awesome thing as Tanna said there John

[@RamiSlicer]

VLC khalifa

[@1perchancetodream]

If I climbed that thing, I’d be halfway up and I’d be so afraid to climb down, I’d literally jump. 😂

[@FamousTVvoice]

Watching this at highest definition in front of a large screen is awesome! Thanks for the video :)

[@Rhoasckm]

Holy hell my hands are sweaty and shaky from watching this, absolutely amazing. I could never do something like this.

[@alifeinseoul]

How on earth were you so calm?!

[@Mercenar1234]

Well, its good that he was calm cause in nervousness you can mess up something which can lead to some dangerous consequences, keeping calm is the only choice you've got at that point.

[@BloodyBay]

+Groscior Burrito You're mistaking confidence for OVERconfidence. Don't do that. That would be like me saying that fear gets people killed. It's not fear; it's the _panic_ -- which can stem from fear -- which causes people to stop thinking rationally and start making fatal mistakes. Healthy fear _saves_ lives, panic _ends_ lives. Same thing goes for confidence and foolhardiness.

[@nico8587d]

That’s a lot of trust in that rope.

[@mrkac5543]

Thank you for giving us that beautiful view from the tallest building in the world, truly that nerves of steel you had greetings from Mexico

[@larryphotography]

That's kinda ironic, going on about how these guys are superheroes for being up there, and you are up there yourself hanging off the edge! And it's not even your job! Which makes you at least twice a superhero for doing it! Thank you Mr McNally for bringing us these amazing photos, you are a living legend

[@taylornoel]

"This is why you are a photographer. This is it. This is why you do this." Damn straight....gave me goosebumps.

[@gowatchvideo]

I have a fear of heights, whenever I see stuff like this it make my legs feel weird, I like the feeling though, :) I couldn't do this, those are amazing shots though!

[@nikhilkrishnamangad]

3:29 This prooves the earth is spherical 😃

[@enlightenmentbringer1516]

No it doesn’t. It’s called a fish eye lens.

[@TheMouseRalph]

Every time I watch these videos in 1st person, I get that falling from a rollercoaster feeling.

[@donnag4940]

There isn't enough money in the world that can get me to be that high off the ground.😨😨

[@ferdinandfixl5025]

In Dubai is enough money for everything

[@donnag4940]

ferdinand fixl I still wouldnt do it.😰

[@Hazaroth]

Donna G have u been in an aeroplane

[@Kerem9_8]

Except for when you travel on an airplane

[@blinky2297]

@connextro sameeeeeeeeeeeeee

[@ont_by]

Amazing!

[@YoAblaze]

7 years 1 like 0 comments wow

[@nowiknow6005]

@@YoAblaze that is what i was thinking

[@Iwipemyasswithpalestianflag]

Lmao 😂

[@cantdie888warzone7]

@@YoAblaze before the comments didnt have reply it shows mention after the next comment

[@hipbro3484]

Россия в тебе разочарована.

[@SJR_Media_Group]

Once you climb 162 floors up, just over 2,700 tall, you still have to climb the mast at top. Incredible view and experience that can only be described as awesome.

[@danielmarsden2277]

I live in an apartment on the 23rd floor. The balcony is cool, but the barrier is clear so it can make you feel sick but I like chilling there

[@me520002]

the carefree expressions while being photographed was priceless

[@arsenalatletigoldenera]

Just how beautiful Dubai can be LOVE it

[@100Jeanluc]

My hats off to you for that, I lost my lunch early. You wouldn't catch me up that high, ever. It just looks like another day at office for those two workers, props to them also.

[@cpallot1]

My palms were sweaty watching this!!

[@ibustanut]

i almost passed out watching this.. cuz of my fear of heights..

[@jxj0940]

Joe you really raised the bar.....AWESOME !!!!

[@youbigtubership]

You've ascended many pinnacles, man. If that's what it takes to be at the top...I remember you singing Dare to Dream in falsetto in a carpark - Sydney 2000. God bless.

[@Uniblab9000]

Okay, now that I've stopped hyperventilating I can comment. Fantastic work, Joe, and the message you left up there to your wife brought a tear to my eye.

[@stephanromeo684]

What did he say to her ? Maybe I missed it because I was scared of the view lol

[@KevinGeneFeldman]

That ladder is straight up bending as he climbs it...

[@Pray888]

Not really, lol...

[@sticktwiddler9028]

My palms are sweating just watching this!

[@chriscooper7642]

Oh hell no. My palms are sweating, and my heart is racing simply watching this.

[@c0mpu73rguy]

Oh vertigo, old friend, please, plese come in, you're always welcome when I watch climbing videos.

[@youwhatsuptube]

bad shots though lol

[@stopmotionman6756]

I’m laying in my bed watching this and my knees are shaking

[@seasmoke220]

My feet started sweating just watching this. Incredible!

[@RumTumTuggy]

Anyone else getting dizzy?

[@andreighetau2680]

Fuck that! I'd rather do macro photography in some fuckin bushes or something!

[@vikramchauhan2634]

lol

[@chungus573]

Lmao

[@user-uz9xp6sv8n]

My palms get sweaty just by watching the video.

[@iammz3023]

Amaazing !! You Did A Great-Job Too Climbing Out of that Tower-Pole/Hoze & Taking Pictures Standing Literally Outside !!

[@joshmasterr]

Good thing they have on those helmets. Especially if they fell.

[@youmilkpack]

Haha I just posted the exact comment before reading yours! :)

[@Jacob-rx5ot]

Oceanside Cali yep that would save them

[@delrasshial7200]

This citie I'd fuскing shiт

[@delrasshial7200]

man this won't look at it, see it back George chum.

[@storytime6263]

It's for if they bump their head so they don't fall from getting their bell rung.

[@eclipsesonic]

And to think that the Kingdom Tower in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia is going to be 600 feet taller than this beast in December 2018!

[@michaelbook2019]

+eclipsesonic both designed by the same guy though

[@cookiecat1669]

Something is going to go wrong with that xD

[@EnglishRain]

Who's the designer please?

[@catalyst4]

You guys gotta do something with all of that oil money .. after all Saudi is just a desert ..

[@eldolph]

eclipsesonic It's going to be less than 200m Taller, and it will be completed in 2020

[@Luckybomb21]

That is so scary but fascinating at the same time, wow

[@Thagy1973]

Wow, Todd is really branching out!

[@kamil11421]

Tom Cruise did it without lines.

[@markparker6638]

Quareen Setro when did he do that, if so it was probably a stuntman or a experienced climber that looks like him

[@OstrichDome]

All those signatures

[@SFAPowerhouse]

Why is it that I have no problem whatsoever flying, but this image made my toes curl and tingle with fear?

[@lindathetford3776]

Because you know you have a floor underneath lol

[@alexandrucraciun4520]

I felt my stomach churn in the last bit when you got over the edge!

[@spartan117m15]

Im ok with heights just once I start thinking about falling/slipping and the long ass way down, that's when my stomach starts to fail.

[@bruceb3786]

it's that hard stop at the bottom that really hurts

[@ScreediusMC]

They had their climbing knots wrong. They should still hold up, but there was no back-up knot on his lifeline. He had a double figure-8, which is correct, but he should also have a barrel knot above that as a back-up. Not that figure-8s are likely to fail (far from it) but especially at these heights they should take any and all precautions, not to mention the fact that these guys are supposed to be professionals doing that for a living. Also, when climbing you should NEVER be above your belay device. Oh yeah, nice view too!

[@redalert3787]

Really the team deserves a diamond medal the super hanging man .

[@beagle7622]

Just saw the Emirates ad with the parachutist dressed as a stewardess standing at the top. Well worth watching .

[@valkyrienanjo5750]

That is one of the greatest things I have ever seen! Being afraid if heights, I doubt I would ever have this chance, but weirdly enough I would love to experience heights like this at least once in my lifetime... I have already travelled by plane and done outdoor rock climbing (not actual rocks of course) and tight ropes, but this would be amazing if I didn't become sick and started crying every time I even stood on a table (yeah I'm not sure how all this works...) You're lucky, man! Not everyone can say they climbed the tallest tower in the world haha, though I was thinking you would be going down as well :D

[@matildab4471]

I’m so scared of this so I have no clue why I searched climbing Burj Khalifa

[@magueriette]

I did for school.

[@zerosaptedoipatru4451]

the photographer took his job to another level

[@nightowl5475]

I couldn’t even watch these guys. What guts!

[@Boss-ec4if]

that'd be a good smoking spot.

[@Clint_Beastwood87]

I have strange feeling in my stomach while watching this

[@liamgurney3802]

Imagine if the camera was on video and he dropped it while it was still recording.

[@jasonb4621]

I passed out when I saw the guy standing OUTSIDE the tower. Wow

[@willanderton479]

Amazing . First video in a while that has acutely given me anxiety when I’m just laying at home on the couch like yo you got heart brother

[@finchkh]

Thanks for posting this, Joe. I have been telling folks about it since I saw it (a few times) at PSW13 and now they can experience it on their own. Good on 'ya, buddy; if the climb didn't kill me, the look down would! Cheers.

[@Praise___YaH]

HERE is The TRUE Savior HalleluYAH translates “Praise ye YaH” YaH is The Heavenly Father YaH is Who Created “Man (Adam)” YaH arrives via the TENT OF MEETING YaH was Who they Crucified for the sins OF “Man” ** NO female involved WHATSOEVER ** - Hebrew Book of Isaiah Isaiah 42:8 "I am YaH; that is my Name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. Isaiah 43:11 I, I am YAH, and there is no other Savior but Me. Isaiah 45:5 I am YaH, and there is none else.

[@edwardmontelongo2862]

When you're trying to get as far away from hell , but closer to heaven !

[@Saybia1]

That knocked me sick. These guys are something else!

[@adilawan4484]

My heart came to mouth just by seeing this.

[@liberatorg410]

lol I am getting scared just watching lol

[@Fotballismylifea]

Blasterblade Librator me too

[@fabianocalifa]

I've got totally dizzy.... I envy these people that don't have this problem....

[@shaniasmith4230]

me too.

[@GS-fd2pf]

@@shaniasmith4230 me three

[@newadventure5609]

You couldn’t pay me enough to climb up there! These guys have guts!

[@neverboardofgaming]

As soon as he went over the edge ... I NOPED out of this video.

[@minor7805]

I actually have anxiety when they look or hang over the edge

[@moonbull3137]

Palms sweaty: check Feet sweating: check

[@jm-vp4vt]

it take a special breed of people to work at that height... wish them all the best.

[@timsan55]

Great video. And now it's a great record of what Shaikh Zayed road looked like back then, very different to what it is today.

[@terva3371]

I was scared until i realized they were wearing helmets