Would you rappel down the St. Louis Arch?

[Deberg_1990]

They will be looking for people to inspect and wash it soon. Rappeling was determined to be the best method.


http://www.kansascity.com/2012/09/25...-cleaning.html



St. Louis Arch is sound, but cleaning will present challenge
By NICHOLAS J.C. PISTOR
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
More News

ST. LOUIS -- Stains on the outer surface of the Gateway Arch may be caused by the welds that hold the 630-foot monument together, and crews should rappel from the upper reaches for a closer look, a new engineering report suggests.
The report says the Arch is structurally safe but needs further attention to protect its beauty and address growing signs of age.

Its recommendations effectively create a new extreme sport in which trained technicians would become monument mountain rappellers. They would strap themselves on industrial “choker hitched ropes” to descend the long curved legs of the unique structure.
There is no timetable for the inspection or ultimate cleaning.

Corrosion and stains visible on the surface and interior are cosmetic and don’t threaten the structure, according to the report by engineering firm Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, in Chicago.

The firm said that encircling the Arch legs with “belt-and-choker-hitched” ropes would allow workers close-up access without damaging the stainless steel skin. A system of redundant hitches would prevent technicians from experiencing “a dangerously large swing should they be blown by the wind.”

The Arch would have to be closed while this operation is performed, the report states. It would take an estimated five days and would surely become a tourist draw of its own. The report warns that it would attract “significant media attention” which could delay the work and “detract from the primary focus of performing the work safely.”

A news release by the National Park Service says the Arch is in “excellent structural shape.” Arch officials have been investigating corrosion and stains for more than six years.
The most recent study is the second in a four-step process, according to the park service. The next will include the rappelling for “close-up testing of the welds to determine the best method of cleaning the metal and stopping the streaking at its source.”

Frank Mares, the deputy superintendent of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, said this step can “only proceed after funding is secured.” The estimated cost is $180,000, including crew planning, preparation, and travel time.

The engineering firm studied ways to access the upper reaches, ranging from scaffolding to cranes. It ultimately decided that rope access was best. It did not offer a timeline for the final step, a full cleaning. A 2006 corrosion report recommends that the skin be cleaned by 2016.

Officials said the structural analysis and cleaning are separate from — and would not compete for funding with — plans to reshape the grounds surrounding the Arch.

“The Arch may be a little discolored in some places, but we are now certain that it is part of the aging process, and we will work to keep this one-of-a-kind structure in the best shape possible for future generations,” said Tom Bradley, its superintendent, in a written statement. “It may take some time to get up there to clean it, but we will get it done.”
The surface of the monument, completed in 1965, has never been cleaned.

No cost estimates for cleaning are included in the report. A previous study, however, noted “the initial cleaning will be expensive due primarily to access requirements, but a reusable means of access should be designed as part of the cleaning procedure.”

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by FAX

That would be bad, no doubt, Mr. jd1020. But you could always wear earplugs.

That fear of sleeping thing might be pretty damn irritating.

FAX

How about Barophobia?

[Nzoner]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Yea, thats amazing. I remember they used to show a film about the building of it in the museum underneath. Pretty cool film.

As I recall the film stated they had a net stretched across,however,a lot of good that would've been,I'd think a poor bastard that did fall would die of fear before the net catching him.

[jiveturkey]

It make for a pretty sweet swing (jump to 1:20).

[FAX]

Originally Posted by jd1020

How about Barophobia?

What the heck is that? Fear of bars?

Well, I guess that would be bad and all, but they invented liquor stores and escort services that can help a guy with that.

FAX

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by FAX

What the heck is that? Fear of bars?

Well, I guess that would be bad and all, but they invented liquor stores and escort services that can help a guy with that.

FAX

Fear of gravity.

Maybe Decidophobia?

[tooge]

I'm not rapin anybody in the arch. Besides, I don't like hieghts.

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

Only if the reason I had climbed up it in the first place was to set explosives at strategic points.

.

[whoman69]

Originally Posted by FAX

The government, I suppose. Unless you had Obamaphobia.

FAX

A lot of that going around

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Yes, there are some small windows at the very top. You are fully enclosed but still.....

Pass.

I don't even like looking at the thing when we drive through ST. Louis.

[Ming the Merciless]

sure if someone I trusted set up the line...

it is fairly safe, Ive done it short distances.....

yes it would be crazy high, but I guess I'm just not scared of heights...

I hate being in a crowded room, and would dislike being inside the elevator with a lot of people more than I would stepping out to rappel down.