Scaling the Sky: Eight Daring Climbers of the Burj Khalifa
By Malak Khaled
At a towering height of 828 meters, the Burj Khalifa holds the title of the world’s tallest building, a Guinness World Record that showcases human ambition and architectural prowess.
Standing more than twice the height of the Empire State Building and nearly three times the size of the Eiffel Tower, the Burj Khalifa represents a true symbol of Dubai’s modern identity.
Scaling this iconic structure is a challenge few dare to undertake, but over the years, eight extraordinary individuals have achieved this feat, each bringing their own story of bravery and determination.
2024: MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson)
In 2024, MrBeast, the most subscribed YouTuber with a staggering 70 billion combined views, made headlines by becoming the eighth person to scale the Burj Khalifa.
His ascent, part of a larger video comparing travel experiences from USD 1 to USD 500,000, saw him tackle his fear of heights in a dramatic climb to the top of the building.
2023: Alain Robert and Alexis Landot
In November 2023, renowned climbers Alain Robert, famously known as the “French Spider-Man,” and his climbing partner Alexis Landot scaled the Burj Khalifa to promote the launch of Mashreq’s Climb2Change initiative.
The campaign focuses on cleaning the world’s highest peaks. The duo’s nine-hour ascent showcased their technical skills and physical endurance. Robert, who had previously climbed the Burj in 2011, described the climb as “still very challenging” despite his experience.
2022: Sam Sunderland
The British motocross champion ascended the Burj Khalifa for a Dubai Tourism and Red Bull short film.
Wearing full riding gear, Sunderland’s climb was part of a memorable promotional campaign.
For the project titled Yalla, Sunderland was granted unparalleled freedom to ride his KTM 450 SX-F motocross bike throughout the city, with no location off-limits.
After reaching the 160th floor of the Burj Khalifa on his bike, Sunderland dismounted and completed the final 90 minutes of the climb on foot, taking his adventure to the very top of the world’s tallest building.
2021: Nicole Smith-Ludvik
Stuntwoman Nicole Smith-Ludvik made history as the only woman to stand atop the Burj Khalifa. Her ascent was part of a viral Emirates Airlines campaign that showcased Dubai’s iconic skyline.
But Nicole’s journey to the Burj Khalifa was far from ordinary. She had previously sustained terrible injuries ranging from a broken neck to brain injury in a severe car accident, and doctors almost gave up on her recovery. Against all odds, she climbed Burj Khalifa and held placards that read “I’m still here,” inspiring awe worldwide.
2021: Will Smith
Hollywood actor Will Smith took on the Burj Khalifa’s 2,909 steps as part of his YouTube series, Best Shape of My Life.
In 61 minutes, he climbed 160 floors, documenting his fitness journey with the building as his stunning backdrop.
2013: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
In 2013, Sheikh Hamdan made his first climb of Burj Khalifa to raise the UAE flag aloft as part of the country’s campaign to host Expo 2020.
In his second climb, Dubai’s Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan scaled the Burj Khalifa’s 160 floors in just 38 minutes. His ascent was a testament to his athleticism and commitment to representing Dubai on the global stage.
2010: Tom Cruise
For Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Hollywood star Tom Cruise performed his own stunts, scaling the Burj Khalifa for one of the film’s most thrilling scenes. Hanging from the building’s exterior, Cruise’s daring act cemented his reputation as one of Hollywood’s most fearless actors.
Forget the 12 labours of Hercules, these eight climbers took the extraordinary to a new level by scaling the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. From incredible campaigns to daring stunts, their stories are a testament to ambition, resilience, and the unstoppable human spirit.
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