Walking on the Edge|加拿大高空边缘漫步

by Leigh Goldberg

Toronto's CN Tower is the latest to offer a mind-blowing experience.

Imagine yourself walking on a normal city sidewalk that's one and a half meters wide. It seems pretty easy, right? Now imagine that same sidewalk 356 meters or 116 stories above the ground. That's what EdgeWalk at Toronto's CN Tower is now offering thrill-seekers. This is the first attraction of its kind in North America and the world's highest full circle, hands-free walk around the top of a tower.

Groups of six to eight adventurous souls don special walk suits and safety harnesses over their regular clothes before they are securely attached to the overhead rail that takes them for a 360-degree walk around the Tower's main pod. A highly trained guide leads the participants into doing challenging tasks. Even though they know the ropes can support a bus, some participants find it nerve-racking to lean out over the edge of the platform with no hands and look straight down at the city below. Those that do are rewarded with breathtaking views of Toronto, Lake Ontario, and Buffalo, New York. The entire experience takes 90 minutes, with the outdoor walk lasting about half an hour.

EdgeWalk at the CN Tower opened in August of 2011, just in time for the Tower's 35th anniversary. However, those who are not new to edgewalking know about similar attractions at the towers in Macau and Auckland, New Zealand. The former is second in height at 233 meters above the ground, while the latter is not far behind at 192 meters. No matter where it's done, edgewalking is the thrill of a lifetime that dares you to push yourself to your limit.

1.  What is NOT part of edgewalking at the CN Tower?

(A) Strapping on special equipment.

(B) Not using your hands when walking around.

(C) Jumping off the edge of the tower's platform.

(D) Strolling around a 1.5-meter-wide platform high in the sky.

2.  What does the term "don" in the second paragraph mean?

(A) To make.    (B) To purchase.

(C) To show off.    (D) To put on.

3.  Which statement is true about edgewalking?

(A) It can only be done in Canada.

(B) It can take one's breath away.

(C) The CN Tower is the first place in the world to have edgewalking.

(D) The tower in Auckland, New Zealand is 41 meters taller than the one in Macau.

加拿大高空边缘漫步

多伦多国家电视塔推出刺激的最新活动。

　　想象自己在普通的都市里，行走在 1.5 公尺宽的人行道上。听起来似乎很容易，是吧？现在，想象这个人行道在距离地面 356 公尺高（即 116 层楼高）的上空。这就是现在多伦多国家电视塔为追求刺激的人所推出的边缘漫步活动。这个不靠双手撑扶而绕行高塔一圈的活动，不但是北美当地的风气之先，其高度也是世界之最。

　　这些喜爱冒险的人士以 6 至 8 人为一组，在平常穿的衣服外头套上特制的漫步服装和安全背带，接着牢牢地连上头顶上方的横杆，然后就可以顺着栏杆的轨道，在电视塔外围的边缘漫步 1 圈。过程中会有 1 名经过特训的人员带领参与者完成这些具挑战性的动作。即使参与者知道吊绳足以负荷 1 辆公交车的重量，但不用手撑扶而从边缘向外倾靠直接看向脚下的城市，仍然让有些人觉得胆颤心惊。来这里体验的人可以欣赏多伦多、安大略湖、和纽约州水牛城令人叹为观止的风景。边缘漫步全程共 90 分钟，而在电视塔外围的边缘漫步一圈则历时 30 分钟左右。

　　多伦多国家电视塔的边缘漫步于 2011 年 8 月对外开放，刚好赶上该塔的 35 周年庆。然而，对边缘漫步不陌生的人来说，他们知道澳门和纽西兰的奥克兰市都有高塔提供类似的活动。前者的高度有 233 公尺，是世界第 2 高，后者则以 192 公尺的高度紧追其后。不管是在哪个高塔上进行，边缘漫步都是一生中非常刺激的活动，让你跟自己的极限挑战。

答案：1. (C)2. (D)3. (B)

完成于 1976年的多伦多电视塔高 553 公尺，保持全球最高塔的纪录达 34 年，直到杜拜的哈里发塔与中国的广州电视塔落成为止。该塔所推出的『边缘漫步』号称是全球最高的无扶手高空漫步，体验者穿戴安全装备、经过指导后，以 6 至 8 人一组，绕着高塔而行。游客在行前还必须签署声明，如果自己发生危险，将不追究相关人员的责任。（数据源：自由时报）

对『边缘漫步』有兴趣的读者可上以下影音连结观赏：

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQX-rrad28M