Sydney on the first day. Heavy rain falling since morning and had also receded as the House’s footsteps into the Sydney Harbor Bridge Climb. “Your Turn at 10:25. Please wait. You will be called to take the breath test, “the guard said the ticket with a smile. From behind a glass window, a bridge of white mist covered Sydney. I reread the sentence contained in leaflets, “the climbing would still take place in all weather, except when there is a thunderstorm”. In the waiting room, a plasma television repeatedly showing films recorded on climbing ways.
Summons comes. One by one, from our respiratory tests to determine alcohol levels. When the alcohol content reaches 0.05 or more, participants immediately eliminated. Our group consisted of 11 people, including nine Australians and one citizen of Malaysia. In the circle, one by one of us introduced ourselves.
We then entered the training room. All instructions provided with systematic. Included in uniform. Because of bad weather, given a uniform layered, ranging from rock outfit, sweater tied at the waist which, raincoat, gloves, hat, strings for glasses, to how to operate the communication radios to listen to climb the leader’s instructions. And, most importantly, how to operate safety devices (safety harness).
From the training room, we moved into the simulator, which consists of ladders upright, incline, and derivatives. This is the place to train control safety devices. On either side of the ocean expanse stretching, while the city of Sydney is exposed from a height. Sydney Opera House like a row of white snails which rose in between skyscrapers. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to bring anything up, including camera. However, Adrian-leader of the climb-made photos of our group can buy after climbing over.
Of gap tenuous foothold, exposed to sea waves. For those not familiar with the altitude, the movement seemed to shake the balance of the sea. After sloping route, we arrived at the “Stage” a more challenging and stairs which rise perpendicularly.
Stage end of the climbing is along the arch of the bridge that will take us to the flag at the top. This is the route most energy consuming. We arrived at the top along with the emergence of a flash of lightning flashing in the clouds. The climbing we had to stop and take refuge in the shelter down.