A French skyscraper climber nicknamed Spiderman is planning to scale the world’s tallest tower in Dubai next week.
The Emirates’ Higher Colleges of Technology said climber Alain Robert has been given approval to climb the 2,717 ftl (828m) Burj Khalifa during the institution’s Education Without Borders conference, newswire Associated Press reported.
Robert said he will use a rope and harness on Monday’s ascent to comply with organisers’ requirements. He has been arrested and fined numerous times elsewhere after scaling buildings without safety equipment, AP added.
The 48-year-old has climbed more than 70 skyscrapers, including the Empire State Building, Chicago’s Willis Tower and the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, according to his website. He conquered Taiwan’s Taipei 101, which before the Burj was the world’s tallest building, in 2004.
During the climb, assistants who will control the ropes will be stationed on ledges at various points up the tapering spire.
Another 48-year-old, actor Tom Cruise, last year lashed a rope and harness of his own to the side of the tower to film scenes for the forthcoming installment in the “Mission: Impossible” film series.
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