Hong Kong wheelchair climber Lai Chi-wai still a believer despite an hour stuck on skyscraper
- Lai Chi-wai spends an hour untangling ropes in high winds before attempt is called off 70m short of 350m Nina Tower’s peak
- The paraclimber hopes he can still set an example to others to ‘chase their dreams’
Lai Chi-wai looks back on his epic 250-metre climb up a Hong Kong skyscraper with extreme disappointment, despite capturing the attention of the world and spreading a message of perseverance.
The climber is in a wheelchair after a car accident, but wants to show that anyone can “chase their dreams”. He hauled himself up 250 metres of the 320m Nina Tower skyscraper in Tsuen Wan using only his upper body but the ropes became tangled.
“When I left the final checkpoint on the 65th floor [heading] for the rooftop, I was at the height of my physical and mental condition. I believed I could reach the top. But as it turned darker and the wind continually grew stronger, I rocked from one side to the other and there was no way to stabilise myself,” Lai said of his epic climb last Saturday.
“I realised the climbing ropes above were entangled. I tried numerous times to untie them but in vain. I asked myself to calm down, focus, and think of all possible solutions.”
He tried to untangle the ropes for an hour. His body temperature began to drop. If he became too cold, it would put himself and the safety team in harm’s way.