You may have seen photos of this incredible climbing spire in the Netherlands, but it is so impressive it may be worth a trip across the big pond just to scale.
Named after the sword of the mythical King Arthur, Excalibur overhangs 36 feet as it bends 121 feet above the ground. From what information I can compile, it is the second-highest climbing wall in the world.
“Climbers that come from all over the world are in for a test of their own worthiness to call themselves conquerors of Excalibur,” reports Bjoeks, the climbing center where the spire is located in the Netherlands.
The architecture of the spire is impressive: the 50-ton structure weight is kept in place by 36 beams going 9 meters into the ground and a meter-thick concrete slab. A 500-ton foundation ensures Excalibur stays in place even at force 12 Beaufort scale (hurricane force) winds.
Experienced lead climbers are welcome to test their skills on Excalibur for the modest fee of 11 euros. For more information visit Bjoeks website.
Excalibur isn’t the world’s tallest climbing wall. That distinction goes to the Basecamp Climbing Facility in Reno, Nevada. However, with its artistic, free-standing design, it very well may be the coolest. —Sean McCoy
