I can now say that I have Edge Walked on top of the CN Tower. As my certificate declares, I walked “150 metres outside around the circumference of the observation deck at the height of 356 metres above the ground with no handrails” which to some means I’m totally insane while others consider me extraordinarily brave. The fact is, I’m afraid of heights and this was one of my many attempts at conquering that fear. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “always do what you are afraid to do.” So I did.
The Edge Walk is a new attraction at Toronto’s CN Tower that opened earlier this month and from the moment I saw it, it was definitely something I knew I had to do. Problem was, there was nobody willing to try it with me. After putting the call out on Facebook, I had a taker – my friend Angela.
The day finally arrived and we were pumped and ready to go. Got to the CN Tower relieved that the weather held up. We diligently posted our updates on social media as we waited for our turn and laughed in the face of fear. The time was finally here. Got all decked out in what can be best described as stylish prison-style jumpsuits, got our harnesses on and just as we finished getting suited up we were told that our walk was cancelled due to inclement weather.
Now, the reasonable part of me understands the danger of being up there while a thunderstorm rages outside, but I won’t lie when I say that a part of me wanted to throw a temper tantrum like a kid during a meltdown. We waited for what seemed like a lifetime to do this, got all ready to go and nothing. Needless to say, the rain stopped an hour later and the sun had the audacity to show itself later in the day. Small consolation.
We came back the next day for our second attempt. The sun was shining with clear skies and no clouds, which meant someone out there must have felt some pity for us.
After you sign the obligatory waiver, lock up your possession and get through the mandatory safety checks, it’s time again for the jumpsuits. Going through the process the second time was less exciting and it definitely took the edge off. A deep sense of déjà vu kept looming over our heads. Then, few more rounds of safety checks and we were finally on our way.
Once we stepped in that elevator, the excitement kicked in like a tidal wave. After few more safety checks and instructions, our guide, aptly named Will the Thrill, guided us onto that ledge. There was only one word that can be used to describe the experience and it is “wow.” I’m pretty sure that every person that has stepped a foot on that ledge has had the same experience.
With that one step, I think I’ve become a thrill seeker. Any sense of fear or uneasiness vanished the moment we walked outside. I always believe you should live in the moment to fully enjoy it. In this case, that moment was not only breathtaking, it was also cathartic.
In a way, it is very hard to describe the experience. It was thrilling, calming and fascinating all in one. We all experienced a powerful sense of awe as we leaned over the edge and got to enjoy the view that not many would brave to see. The day was clear and anywhere we looked the views were incredible. You could even see the faint outline of Buffalo across Lake Ontario. The best part for me was the fact that I wasn’t petrified. I anticipated sweaty, shaky hands and paralyzing fear and what I got was an experience of a lifetime. As I stood there, Angela and I looked at each other with ear-to-ear grins and we knew that it was all worth it.
We were ecstatic standing on that ledge and overlooking the city. Every person on our team experienced their own joy, but we all shared this experience together. When it was over, after group hugs and jumping up and down like crazy, we got on the elevator to go back down and felt like we were on top of the world.
It’s been few days and I’m still grinning like a fool every time someone asks me about. Was it worth it? Absolutely.