Climbers reveal Blackpool Tower climb under cover of darkness
Climbers reveal Blackpool Tower climb under cover of darkness
Two climbers have boasted about scaling Blackpool Tower under the cover of darkness.
Published: 8:06AM BST 20 Aug 2009
Blackpool Tower: Climbers reveal Blackpool Tower climb under cover of darkness
Blackpool Tower: A Lancashire Police spokesperson said they had had no reports about the incident, described as an 'ill-advised stunt' Photo: 28DAYSLATER
Pictures posted online show how the pair – known only as Scott and Stepping Lightly – risked their lives to reach the top of the world-famous, 518ft (158m) structure.
A post on the "urban exploration forum" 28dayslater revealed they had been planning the stunt for two more than years.
Although police received no reports of the incident, details were added to the website on August 9 under the name 'userscott', who claimed the climb had taken place one Friday.
A series of photographs show the men's progress on the climb complete with captions.
"It's about our hundredth attempt at possibly one of the hardest 'buildering' challenges in the UK that leads us to the base of the tower," they write.
"For two years the challenge wasn't even the tower – it was getting to the base of the tower and we've probably picked the worst night. It's drinking time on a Friday. It's a full moon and the temperature is warm. maybe it's not so bad."
Under one image showing the Blackpool seafront, they add: "300 foot and now things are hotting up.
"It's a busy night on the front and surely somebody’s noticed two trouble makers packing 60m of 8mm rope and bright white Petzl helmets."
They claim to reach their target, the flagpole at top of the tower, after midnight, leaving them "lost for words".
The pair then describe how they reached safety by abseiling down to the bottom.
Messages posted on the 28dayslater site describe them as "legends" and "mental".
A Lancashire Police spokesperson said they had had no reports about the incident, described as an "ill-advised stunt".
"Unless there is any evidence of any criminal activity having taken place, we will not be launching an investigation," she added.
"Instead, it would be up to the owners of Blackpool Tower to prosecute the individuals under civil law for trespassing."
Michael Williams, operations director at Leisure Parcs, which owns the Tower said he had viewed the images with "surprise and disbelief".
"This climb obviously took place when the building was closed, despite 24-hour CCTV and security monitoring," he told the Blackpool Gazette.
"It is not only incredibly dangerous, but clearly irresponsible, and we are relieved no one was injured, especially innocent people on the streets below."
The two climbers also claim to have scaled Blackpool's 'Pepsi Max Big One' ride and to have explored the Riverdance ferry, which was stranded off the Blackpool coast in February. But they said while their previous climbs had been good: "Climbing the Blackpool Tower? It's another level."
Climbers reveal Blackpool Tower climb under cover of darkness
Two climbers have boasted about scaling Blackpool Tower under the cover of darkness.
Published: 8:06AM BST 20 Aug 2009
Blackpool Tower: Climbers reveal Blackpool Tower climb under cover of darkness
Blackpool Tower: A Lancashire Police spokesperson said they had had no reports about the incident, described as an 'ill-advised stunt' Photo: 28DAYSLATER
Pictures posted online show how the pair – known only as Scott and Stepping Lightly – risked their lives to reach the top of the world-famous, 518ft (158m) structure.
A post on the "urban exploration forum" 28dayslater revealed they had been planning the stunt for two more than years.
Although police received no reports of the incident, details were added to the website on August 9 under the name 'userscott', who claimed the climb had taken place one Friday.
A series of photographs show the men's progress on the climb complete with captions.
"It's about our hundredth attempt at possibly one of the hardest 'buildering' challenges in the UK that leads us to the base of the tower," they write.
"For two years the challenge wasn't even the tower – it was getting to the base of the tower and we've probably picked the worst night. It's drinking time on a Friday. It's a full moon and the temperature is warm. maybe it's not so bad."
Under one image showing the Blackpool seafront, they add: "300 foot and now things are hotting up.
"It's a busy night on the front and surely somebody’s noticed two trouble makers packing 60m of 8mm rope and bright white Petzl helmets."
They claim to reach their target, the flagpole at top of the tower, after midnight, leaving them "lost for words".
The pair then describe how they reached safety by abseiling down to the bottom.
Messages posted on the 28dayslater site describe them as "legends" and "mental".
A Lancashire Police spokesperson said they had had no reports about the incident, described as an "ill-advised stunt".
"Unless there is any evidence of any criminal activity having taken place, we will not be launching an investigation," she added.
"Instead, it would be up to the owners of Blackpool Tower to prosecute the individuals under civil law for trespassing."
Michael Williams, operations director at Leisure Parcs, which owns the Tower said he had viewed the images with "surprise and disbelief".
"This climb obviously took place when the building was closed, despite 24-hour CCTV and security monitoring," he told the Blackpool Gazette.
"It is not only incredibly dangerous, but clearly irresponsible, and we are relieved no one was injured, especially innocent people on the streets below."
The two climbers also claim to have scaled Blackpool's 'Pepsi Max Big One' ride and to have explored the Riverdance ferry, which was stranded off the Blackpool coast in February. But they said while their previous climbs had been good: "Climbing the Blackpool Tower? It's another level."
