Featured Route: Bio-Science Drop of Faith

Oh yeah, absolutely, just not me. I strongly admire that quality in those people who are secure enough in themselves to be able to say, 'You're not getting me out there. I'm fine right here.' - the late great Dan Osman, when asked whether people could live their life to the fullest without putting themselves at great risk.

Last night I pussed out on something that I knew I could do. Until I do it, it'll consume my every waking thought.

The something is a pretty gnarly new "builder problem" at the bio-science building.

I was giving Toby and Stewart a ride home after we had consumed four pitchers of Guinness and four White Russians between the three of us. The last pitcher was consumed in the last five minutes before closing time. Since neither had been to bio-science, I thought I'd take them on a quick detour. After doing the dyno to bouncy bush jump (see a solo affair), I noticed that the distance between the retaining wall and mantle shelf may possibly be within reaching distance.

The "problem" then, would be to fall forward, catching the lip (hopefully) at full extension. Kinda like in the Indiana Jones "only in the leap from the lion's head, will he prove his worth" scene. Missing it would result in a 12ft fall onto your face -- onto concrete. Having no way to tell exactly if I could reach it, I dismissed it as something to do at a future date, with a gaggle of sober spotters.

Toby decided to walk out to the end of the retaining wall, quite a feat in itself considering his condition. Before I knew it he was falling forward.

This moment in time was definitely the craziest thing I've seen all year. No spotters. He had no way of telling whether he would make it or not.

So anyways, he made it. At 6'0" tall he made it with probably an inch or two to spare. I'm 5'10" with a 2" positive ape index (see a solo affair). At 1" per arm, that puts me at an equivalent 5'11" person's reach, and I'm next.

I wish I could say I rose to the occasion, not so much for bragging rights, but because then I'd be able to sleep peacefully at night. Hopefully by the time your read this, I'll have either done it, or be singing "all I want for christmas is my two front teeffff".