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“OMG…I’m freaking out. They want me to jump off a 192 meter high building here in Auckland, New Zealand. I’m shit scared of heights!…Should I do it?”
Jumbled up thoughts of fear and my trying to overcome that with bravery raced through my mind as I waited at the bottom of Auckland’s SkyWalk at the top of New Zealand’s tallest building.
I knew jumping off the tower would make a good story for our blog, but I also knew that my fear of heights was very real and one that I possibly couldn’t overcome. I mean 192 meters if pretty bloody high.
I paced back and forth, taking deep breaths and trying not to think too much about it.
I’m terrified of heights. I wish that wasn’t the case and I had conquered my fear previously. I was determined to experience the moment, face my fear and at least get to the top of the Sky Tower.
Getting organized into groups of six, we dressed into orange overalls and were briefed on the safety aspects of the walk.
“I’ll just start with the SkyWalk around the top,” I told myself. “Then I’ll think about jumping off.”
There was no turning back. After all, it was just a walk right?
Kiwis are GREAT at scaring the lights out of people.
Their fearsome rugby team the “All Blacks” have been intimidating opponents for years.
And the bungy jump is a New Zealand invention. All over the country there are options for leaping off some structure or natural settings.
If you want adrenalin, if you want to FREAK YOURSELF OUT, come to New Zealand.
Challenging myself to a SkyWalk
Using only a safety harness while walking on a one meter wide platform with no handrails, I walked 360 degrees around the external circumference of the tower suspended 192 meters above the ground…
…with nothing but air on either side of me!
Safety is paramount of course, with wind speed being an obvious hazard. Anything over 50km per hour and you aren’t allowed to complete the walk.
The wind was gusting up to 70 km per hour, so we could only go half way around the building which was fine with me.
Whilst on the platform you’ll stop at various points to have your photo taken, learn some Auckland history, and have a go at leaning over the edge.
This is easier said than done, particularly letting go of the rope with your hands, which was a definite ‘mental’ safety net.
Hanging off the edge of the tower allowed me to feel some small victory in conquering my fear.
Jumping off the tower
Not only can you walk around the SkyTower, if your game enough you can REALLY freak yourself out by jumping off the platform.
Reaching speeds of 85km per hour, you rush through the air and fall for about 11 seconds.
Again your attached to a harness which is connected to a steel cable that guides you all the way to the ground, landing on a bullseye target.
It’s basically base jumping by wire cable – just like a stunt man.
Should you jump?
That’s the question. Should you leap off the famous Auckland skytower?
Yes, the views are UNBELIEVABLE.
Yes, the thrill would be UNBEATABLE.
And yes I’m sure the experience would be UNFORGETTABLE.
If you’re all about pure adrenalin and living life on the edge, then don’t dream it, go do it.
However, if you’re like me and genuinely terrified of the idea, rather than simply apprehensive, then probably no.
Whilst it’s good to challenge ourselves at times and step outside the comfort zone, never feel obligated to take on a challenge just to prove something.
For me, the SkyWalk was brave enough and a small victory.
The Facts:
Location – Corner of Federal & Victoria St, Auckland
Website – For jumping: www.SkyJump.co.nz For Walking: www.SkyWalk.co.nz
Age Limit – You must be 10 years old to jump.
Note – All jumps AND walks are subject to weather conditions.
Still not sure? Read what other travelers have to say at TripAdvisor
QUESTION….What adrenalin activities have you experienced on your travels around the world?
My trip to New Zealand is courtesy of Qantas and the Great Crusade tour, however all opinions are my own.
So now that you have managed to conquer your fear of heights you can come climbing with me. The invitation is still there my friend…. although you will need to come to San Fran now to do it 🙂
Michael,
I’m all over a visit to San Fran, love it there! But I’ll wait for you in the car park whilst you mountain climb 🙂
This is TOTALLY AWESOME!!! Go Craig!!!
Bolivia was an unexpected adventure crazed place. The World’s Most Dangerous Road earns it name, for good reason. With a 1km drop from its cliff, many deaths every year and unsafe conditions! And yep, we went bike riding on it! Yikes!
Thanks Lina,
Will make sure I don’t visit Bolivia any time soon, lol.
That looks totally amazing. I am freaked of heights as well, but I think this would be something I would do. It’s one thing to say I would do the jump, but I wouldn’t truly know until I was up there. Your hanging off the edge is probably scarier than just running and jumping 🙂
Pete,
Our guide said exactly the same thing, that hanging over is scarier than jumping. But I’m not convinced. It is friggin high dude 🙂
Wow the views look amazing from up there, I didn’t do it when I was there three months ago. Maybe I should had. NZ is definitely great for adrenalin junkies 🙂 Best adrenalin rush this year I probably had in Guatemala, where we did Full moon whitewater rafting, except the moon was behind clouds, so you couldn’t see anything, just hear the rapids approaching!
Jarmo,
White water rafting in the dark, wow, that’s cool. Hope you didn’t fall out? What grade of rapids was it?
It was pretty cool 🙂 Didn’t fall out, except on purpose, we floated down one rapid with just the lifejackets, which was fun. It wasn’t too bad, don’t know the actual grade, probably III, I think. Wouldn’t do it on a really difficult river in absolute darkness, that would just be madness! 😉
The views must have been amazing! I don’t blame you for not jumping though, I wouldn’t have either. One of my mates decided to go skydiving to try and conquer his fear of heights. It didn’t work, he said it’s now even worse. So even if you did decide to jump, there is no guarantees that your fear would have been cured.
Pete,
Yeah great views but was trying not to look down, lol. Best to look at the horizon as they say, but easier said than done 🙂
ok you are so much braver then me -congratulations on your skywalk – sure lookslike you had fun.
Cheers
Lisa
Thanks Lisa. But I don’t know about calling it fun??? Lol…
I’ve been to the Sky Tower twice and neither time have I been able to pluck up the courage to jump off of it. But next time I promise;-)
Funny thing that line about the age limit “you must be 10 years old to jump” hahahaha, I love New Zealand, can you imagine something like this in the US and allowing 10 YEAR OLDS to do it…I don’t think so.
Cheers!
J.
If you can’t jump just do the walk. It’s freaky enough!
I wanted to do this so bad when I lived in Auckland, but they were still in the resting phase when I lived there and I didn’t really want to pay the fee, especially since I had been to the observation deck many many times.
Though does look like fun! Go you!!
G’day Rebecca,
Thanks but I don’t put it into the “fun” category ha ha. I put it into the “freak myself out” category!
While part of me really wished you’d jumped, I like your point about not having to ‘prove something.’ I didn’t jump off the Skytower or even walk around it for that matter so good for you for getting out there!
Hey Brock,
I’m sure it would make good entertainment watching my jump. Would be reality TV at it’s best 🙂
Whew. I’ve been skydiving & bungee jumping, but your pictures still made my stomach drop. They gave me enough adrenaline to last the next couple of days. You also made a powerful point. Do what’s best for you and take things at your own pace. Who knows? Maybe next time you’ll jump!
Hey Tawny,
If you can bungy you can TOTALLY do this. Yeah, I’m happy with my small victory of the skywalk. Don’t see the need to REALLY freak myself out!
I remember seeing people doing the Sky walk when I was living in Auckland but I never did it myself.
Holy crap!
I’m not even afraid of heights and that sounds like it would terrify me.
I need to do it!
Chris…Be braver than me and “Just Do It”
I have vertigo so just looking at the photo’s of you doing the walk sent me dizzy! I wouldn’t be able to do that, never mind jumping off! But good on you for doing the walk – it taks a lot of guts to do that 🙂
Glad I’m not the only “chicken”. Really wish I didn’t have this fear, but I’m getting over it one-step-at-a-time!
Oooooooooo, I was really hoping you ended up jumping! Heights scare the shit out of me too, yet I’m dying to sky-dive and really want to do that squirrel suit base jumping stuff. But yes, baby steps are a good start!
Unbelieveable, Unbeatable, Unforgettable, Unarguable – I’m sure.
I love a zip line and have always wanted to sky dive – sounds like this is down my alley.
Very cool experience – Thanks for sharing it