So how many are afraid of heights?

[OSUFan]

So how many really have a fear of heights and do you have a story to tell about it?

My story is when I was in San Antonio for a conference and my sister-in-law drove up from Austin so we could visit and go to dinner. Well, I heard the Tower of Texas had a restaurant on top of it so that's where we decided to eat. We went to one elevator and noticed when it got so high (about two stories) it was all glass as you rode up to the top. So my sister-in-law and I went around to the other elevator hoping it wasn't the same. This elevator looked like it went up inside the tower but sure enough after two stories up all glass as we went up higher and higher. Come to find out my sister-in-law was as afraid of heights as I was. She and I both held to the back of elevator and stared at one another until we got to the top.

Once we got to the top, we found out we had the restaurant almost to ourselves. We were asked if we wanted to sit right next to the windows (and edge) and my sister-in-law and I both shook our heads no. We sat in the middle of the restaurant but could still see the skyline and to be honest... watching the sun go down and seeing the skyline of San Antonio turn into a city of lights at night was beautiful and breathtaking. We couldn't have timed it any better but getting up there was frightful. The ride down in the elevator wasn't quite as unnerving with the darkness.

[AnniePokely]

Do you notice as you get older the things you used to be able to tolerate, you no longer can? Hell, i can't stomach the space needle at the state fair for cryin out loud. I dont like heights at all, and i used to tolerate them rather well. I just have no desire to get above roof level.

[OSUFan]

Do you notice as you get older the things you used to be able to tolerate, you no longer can? Hell, i can't stomach the space needle at the state fair for cryin out loud. I dont like heights at all, and i used to tolerate them rather well. I just have no desire to get above roof level.

We were fearless when we were younger, I guess. I've never tolerated heights although once I got on a roller coaster (like the ones at Springlake) you couldn't get me off them.

I think my fear was heightened by all the trips to Colorado and back. My Mom and Dad would be pointing out to the valley and how beautiful it was as drove on the edge of some curvy, mountain highways. While all the time, I'm white-knuckled as I'm hunched forward and looking over the front seat telling my Dad to keep his eyes on the road.

I guess as we get older safe is best and having your feet on the ground is safe.

[OSU_Fan_In_KS]

Royal Gorge Bridge in Colorado - my dad coaxed me out and then had to carry me off. I can still remember the sight of the Arkansas River, 1000 feet below, between the 2x12 planks on the bridge. What really got me was when a car drove across the bridge and I had to move to the rail to get out of the way. I just about pinched a whole in my shorts - I was too scared to mess them. After I got to the rail, I could not move - so my dad had to pick me up and carry me back to solid earth. Ever since then I can't stand to be more than 15 foot off the ground.

[JimBob]

Royal Gorge Bridge in Colorado - my dad coaxed me out and then had to carry me off. I can still remember the sight of the Arkansas River, 1000 feet below, between the 2x12 planks on the bridge. What really got me was when a car drove across the bridge and I had to move to the rail to get out of the way. I just about pinched a whole in my shorts - I was too scared to mess them. After I got to the rail, I could not move - so my dad had to pick me up and carry me back to solid earth. Ever since then I can't stand to be more than 15 foot off the ground.

I drove to Boulder back in the last century to see some guy named Sanders. We visited Royal Gorge on the trip home, and I drove across the bridge. I'm fine, as long as I'm not "on the edge" looking down, but that truly is a nauseating experience. Wouldn't do it again.

[BigBadBen]

I got a fear of heights when I was in my mid 20's. It just hot me.

Its weird though. Looking out of a high rise, no problem, airplane, no problem, roller coasters, no problem.

Ladders......If I feel at all unsteady, Im done.
Rooftops, & real high balconies, I get shaky.

[snuffy]

I was really indifferent until a bad experience in the St. Louis Arch. I lived in St. Louis and went to the Arch at least once a year and went to the top with no problem until the last time. The wind was blowing around 25 MPH and you could feel the Arch swaying, They told yes it was only like 2-3 inches, but felt like much more. Since then I have had a problem with heights. Before that happened flying never bother me, now I have to have the center seat, if possible close the shades and focus on a book real hard.

[AnniePokely]

I can remember taking float trips down the Illinois River (War Eagle) and i was the first to climb to the top of that huge bridge that you jump off of- once there are no canoes going under it. It felt like forever before you'd hit the water.

Bungee jumping-no problem


Jumping off the big rocks into the quarry at Granite-no problem



I shutter to think of some of the crazy things i used to do. Young and dumb.

[bleedorange]

I shutter to think of some of the crazy things i used to do. Young and dumb.

You got that right.

[MemphisPoke]

I agree with AP on the "Young and Dumb" part when I was young.

Example: Railroad bridge over the South Canadian river just north of Minco, OK. (and you know that river never gets that deep) Jumping off of it into the one deep part where the big rocks were placed for erosion control. Stupid.

The one time I really felt, shall we say ill at ease, was when I had to inspect some equipment in Chicago. I have forgotten the buildings name but I had to take a elevator to the top floor and then climb one floor of steps to get out on the subtop of the building only to then climb a permanent ladder up 24 ft. to the very top of the building. Summer months, wind blowing like crazy and it was one of those buildings downtown that is really tall. It was suggested that I wear a safety line. They didn't have to ask me twice. I do remember that the wind was blowing so hard that I had to yell at the guy standing next to me to be heard.

[DecaturPoke]

I actually got over my fear of heights by going up in the arch in St. Louis. It was a windy day like someone described where you could feel the arch moving from side to side. After that experience in the Arch, I have never been scared of heights. One of the best things I did was go to the top of the Sears Tower in Chicago. I will never forget going to the windows on the observation floor and pressing my head up against the glass and looking down at the streets and people below. I have always wanted to go up in the Space Needle in Seattle.

[AnniePokely]

You got that right.
You did some goofy things in your young days.

[jakeman]

I have absolutely no fear of heights.

Falling from heights, on the other hand scares, the $hit out of me.

I have been told that it isn't the fall that is deadly. It's that sudden stop right there at the end that hurts.


As to ladders. Anything over a two foot step ladder is unsafe. That's just how I feel. :o

[Ivan]

when I was 10 or so, my dad took me to a Texas Rangers game, and our seats were WAY up in the upper deck. A really bad storm was coming through and we were at the top, and I guess I was freaking out. (I dont remember it much but my dad said I was going nuts).

I can go on my roof, but I hate it!

[AggieSpice]

i don't necessarily have a fear of heights, but i don't like elevators.

[OSUFan]

i don't necessarily have a fear of heights, but i don't like elevators.

So you've been in there when I let go an SBD? My bad. ;)

[Verb]

I went through a spell (about 3 years) where I was terrified of flying. I still made myself go on trips, but it took a LOT of tiny bottles of vodka to get me from one place to the next.

As suddenly as my phobia came on, one day it left. I'm fine with flying now.

[panhandler62]

Heights don't bother me as long as I am secure. I'll sit at the window seat (prefer it, actualy) and watch the country go by and stand at the bitter edge looking right through the plexi under my feet in the tower at the Air and Space Museum Dulles extension but just about have an "episode" if I get to close to the back of the roof to clean the gutters (and that ain't but about 18 feet!)

The worst experiance I had was going up to the radar catwalks on the mast of my ship. As soon as you swung out onto the ladder on the mast from the bridge catwalk you were instantly 7 stories up in mid air, clinging to a little metal ladder.