Stairway to Safety - Climbing to the top of a 1700 foot tall tower to change a light bulb

This video was made in response to the original Stairway to Heaven video where two climbers were free climbing using unsafe practices.

Keywords: Tower rescue, tower climbing, rock climbing, tower rigging, Gopro, Go Pro, Stairway to Heaven,

[damageinc.]

when i was young I worked for a tower company and we went up a 1800 foot tower, i still regret quiting that job. my boss dropped one of the tubes of jb weld and had to go all the way back down to get it, 45 min, to go down and an hour and half to climb back up. it was my first day on the job and so he had me just hang around for four hours by myself getting used to being up that high. It was so beautiful, just thought I'd share.

[blackbeardgamer]

As a pilot I have to thank you guys. You change the bulbs in the towers so I don't crash into them and die.

[xnopyt]

To me the most scary part is trusting that every little part on that tower is welded/assembled correctly.

[davidwells]

I watched this yesterday from a distance near my house. It got me to thinking how the men got up there, so that led me to this video. A hearty thank you for posting this. I had no idea about how this was done. Keep up the safe work, fellows.

[stephenpotter]

I have a vast newfound respect for the people in this video, as well as others who work in this industry, who maintain the towers that provide us with the services we take for granted everyday. Thank you.

[Djr]

I wouldn't even get in that lift, you guys deserve a medal and $500 an hour

[michaelshea]

Nothing but respect for these guys. Some serious steel cajonies here now. I'll stay on the ground and watch.

[rneustel]

That elevator door would open at 1600 ft, and I'd suddenly find out my feet wouldn't move!

[zakutheferret]

When you're on Sprint and you want to find a signal.

[randyporter]

To simply say “I’m OUT !” does not begin to express my sentiment. Much respect to these guys.

[andersjohansson]

So jealous. Such a great view and you get paid to change a light bulb.

I had a tower growing up, and the one thing I bought right away was a fall protection suit. A kid in town lost her father in an industrial accident (not tower related) when he fell.

I remember touring a CaseIH factory and the banner leading to the manufacturing area said "The fastest way to an accident is a shortcut". Same thing when climbing.

Thanks for putting this video out there. We take for granted wireless communications but don't appreciate the risks people take with their lives to ensure those services. Likewise to the flying public as pilots need to see them at night so they don't fly into them.

[kutzbill]

I for one am glad there is safety equipment to keep these guys safe. I replaced bulbs in towers back in college to support myself. We had clips that we could rest, and tie off at the top, but most the time it was a free climb. I was never at the 1700 foot level, but 150 feet will kill you just as dead.
I would cart my coffee jug and have coffee at the top and enjoy the view.
Thanks for posting.

[ChuckBeefOG]

"How to climb a 1700 foot tower, it begins with a 1600 foot elevator ride."

[CharlesHepburn]

That was pretty insane... I hope those bulbs last longer than old incandescent bulbs. Despite the safety measures, that took massive bravery. Kudos.

[alexbelle]

I know this is an old upload but I just want to say thank all of you folks who do this very dangerous but necessary work. Pleas stay safe and go home in one piece. 👍

[vetten]

Absolutely frightening. I really hope you boys make at least 250k per year. You deserve it. Incredible video.

[dramallamarama]

Imagine going all the way up and then realising you left the light bulb at the bottom of the tower.

[curtcoleman]

What a nightmare. Every time I watch this my hands sweat.

[chrisstromberg]

I watched the “stairway to heaven” video you referenced above and could not believe the level of risk those two climbers were willing to accept “free climbing”. Not to mention there were cumulonimbus clouds building nearby. Glad to see that you guys are lot more responsible, stay safe!

[kirbybuchanan]

Jumping out of planes for the Army was easy peasy compared to this, I could never do this! Scared of heights? After leaving the door of the aircraft your chute opens within seconds and then we float softly to the ground. Not much fear of heights going thru my head but climbing a tower like that would scare the shit outta me. I would have to have a parachute on my back for sure!