I Climbed the Tower in 47:51.5!!!

Hi everyone,

I survived my annual trek up the 1,776 stairs in the CN Tower (yes, you read that right, 1,776). This was my first climb as a non-smoker, but that did not improve my time in any way. In fact, I was about 5 minutes slower this year than last. However, I do not race up the tower to prove anything; I climb the tower to raise money and awareness for the World Wildlife Fund of Canada and in this, I believe I succeed.

So, since it takes me a while to get to the top of the tower, I had a little time to think as people were rushing past me; striving to attain personal bests (I'm actually beginning to recognize some of them since we see each other every year at the corporate challenge [and I have a freakishly good memory for that sort of thing]). So, back to my thinking...

At the corporate challenge, there were 350 teams of 4 people each. That's 1400 people (give or take) climbing the tower in a few hours. The stairway is like a normal fire exit stairwell. It's metal and concrete. Not very well ventilated. I think there are about 143 flights (give or take). There are St. John's Ambulance people stationed every 10 flights (or so) in case of medical emergencies. The WWF people tape children's artwork to the walls at almost every landing on the way up in an effort to liven the atmosphere and encourage us, which is kind of nice.

Anyway, back to my thoughts: It struck me that there were more than 1500 relative strangers gathered together for a common purpose. Yes, it's a little bit different when you're doing the corporate climb than when you're doing the public climb, but there are still a whole whack of strangers clambering around you, getting in your way, breathing heavily and generally crowding your space.

If you take the subway (or any other form of public transit) you probably come into contact with a number of strangers every day who are rushing to get somewhere and are sharing the space you're using. I've been there; I'm sure almost all of us have. I live in Toronto, which is not a bad place for manners... but it's not the best anymore either. When you're on the subway (or streetcar or whatever) you're mostly in your own space (this has only been exaggerated in recent years by the proliference of Ipods and their ilk) and while you're not necessarily going to be rude, you're not going to strike up a conversation with anyone either. If (God forbid) you make eye contact with someone, it's hasty and almost embarassing and you quickly turn away after the briefest of barely noticeable nods.

However, this strange detachment does not exist when one is climbing the CN Tower. It's almost as if we're all one big team that has gathered together to do some good and have some fun while we're doing it. Wait! Wasn't that the purpose... strange though, that these could be the very same people that we studiously ignore on the subway on the way down to the Tower, and the next day on the way to work, but for those few hours, we are comrades and the camraderie is nice. People encourage each other. People are polite to each other and let others pass without nasty looks. People talk and share groans as they pass each other and then pass again. It's nice. Afterwards, there's a party where we're served dinner and people compare times and awards are handed out and a good time is had by all.

The reason I'm writing about this is that as I was gasping my way to the top this year (and taking much needed breaks every ten flights), I was thinking about the camraderie. It really doesn't take much for us to let our 'stranger' guards down and be nice to people we don't really know. I think it has something to do with the idea that we're 'in this together'; and there's something to be said for the safety of sharing with someone 'like us'. Someone who is willing to raise money for the WWF and climb the stinky stairs inside the CN Tower. Someone we may or may not see again next year. It often amazes me what we can do when we just try. This is going to sound really corny, but when we start to work together, and forget about the competition in life for a little while, we can accomplish so much in a fairly short period of time.

I'm sure I'll get back to this idea again. I'll be participating in the Labatt 24 Hour Relay for Easter Seals Kids again this year (that event usually raises around $425K) so I'll probably be thinking along these lines again.

Make sure you wish the O-Dawg a happy birthday this Saturday if you see him!

TTFN,