Recreation: BridgeClimb Sydney

What is it about human beings that we look at something and say 'wow that looks rather high' and then in the next sentence 'I'd like to be on top of that.' MPA's Andrea Lavigne finds out what makes BridgeClimb Sydney so special and why it could you be your next great corporate event

FACTFILE:

Who: BridgeClimb Sydney
What: Bridge Climb or Discovery Climb
Where: 5 Cumberland St., The Rocks
When: Day or Night, Twilight and exclusive Dawn
How much: Standard rates from $179 to $295 for adults depending on what time climb is scheduled for
Booking: Ticket Hotline (02) 8274 7777 or www.bridgeclimb.com

In 1923, when British mountaineer George Mallory was asked by The New York Times why he wanted to climb Mount Everest, he quipped "Because it's there."

It's the universal logic that governs anyone who's ever found their feet dangling over a tree limb, roof edge, or cliff top - and perhaps the same reason more than two million people have climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Scaling the iron obstacle with BridgeClimb Sydney, the company that's been leading groups to the summit since 1998, has become as synonymous with the city as the bridge itself.

It's touted as "the thing to do in Sydney."

But perhaps like many people who have come to call Sydney home "the thing to do" quickly gets relegated to "something I'd like to get around to" and soon winds up being pushed to the bottom of the list of priorities (somewhere after getting the laundry done and before losing five kilos - much, much before).

While BridgeClimb Sydney's statistics reveal that 25% of climbers come from the city, my guess is that the majority of Sydneysiders that make the climb do so with visiting friends and relatives.

But should the opportunity to show off one of Australia's best loved attractions to friends and family not avail itself, a corporate event could be the next best reason to get yourself up there.

My own climb took place on a beautiful sunny afternoon in March. Despite not having a fear of heights, I could feel my apprehension mounting prior to the experience.

The tension is somewhat cut when one enters BridgeClimb Sydney headquarters at 5 Cumberland St. in The Rocks. You're greeted by a wall of signed photos of celebs all boasting beautiful smiles from the top.

Hey, if the Duchess of York can make it to the top, surely it shouldn't be too strenuous for a commonwealth serf such as myself, I thought.

My group was small, consisting of one Austrian, three Brits, one Sydneysider and our climb leader. Somewhat self-consciously, we donned grey and blue one-piece suits, specially-designed to camouflage the climbers (thereby limiting potential distractions to drivers below). While BridgeClimb Sydney's website claims they're flattering to most body types, we couldn't help but feel like escapees from a hospital, or at best, amateur astronauts.

Each climber was kitted out with a hankie, lanyard for sunglasses, radio and a harness with a slider or a latch depending on which climb you choose. BridgeClimb Sydney now offers two climbs: the "classic" Bridge Climb or The Discovery Climb. The original route takes you along the upper span of the arch on catwalks and ladders to the top (134 metres over Sydney Harbour). The Discovery Climb takes climbers along the suspension arch through the iron underbelly of the bridge and up to the summit for a 360 degree view of Sydney.

I opted for the Discovery Climb, which was officially opened in November 2006.

Our leader, who was part safety officer and part bridge scholar deftly guided us along the safety line interspersing colourful commentary with humour.

The pace was slow and enjoyable - giving each climber a chance to catch their breath and enjoy the scenery every few hundred steps. And the view is simply stunning. At 134 metres above the city you get a very different perspective on the city.

While the entire experience takes about 3 1/2 hours, time slips by as unnoticeably as the days of childhood when climbing trees swallowed whole afternoons. Now that's a simple enough reason to do it as a work event, isn't it?

FEAR OF HEIGHTS

While acrophobia, or a fear of heights, is common, it doesn't have to limit people's ability to enjoy the experience. BridgeClimb Sydney takes climbers on a complete orientation that includes a climb simulator. Climbers wear a safety harness that is attached to a static line on the bridge and there are handrails along the whole route for support. And even if a climber gets halfway and decides not to proceed, BridgeClimb Sydney has their team stationed along the route to help climbers off safely.