0:00:17 > 0:00:19For most of us, a trip to the top of a tall building
0:00:19 > 0:00:21means a long ride in the lift.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24But a superhuman might choose a different way to the top.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26A superhuman might choose to go up the outside!
0:00:28 > 0:00:32You'd need to have amazing climbing skills, incredible grip strength,
0:00:32 > 0:00:37be fearless at heights and have the ability to hang about all day.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39You'd need the power of a real-life superhero.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41A superhero like Spider-Man!
0:00:43 > 0:00:47Who can climb any building and never get scared.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54Well, I've heard of a real-life Spider-Man...
0:00:54 > 0:00:58Alain Robert is the world's most famous free climber - that's someone
0:00:58 > 0:01:02who climbs without the aid of ropes, harnesses or even a safety helmet!
0:01:02 > 0:01:04Known as the French Spider-Man, Alain has scaled
0:01:04 > 0:01:08more than 100 of the world's tallest buildings and structures
0:01:08 > 0:01:11using only his hands and feet, and a small chalk bag!
0:01:11 > 0:01:15Tim's travelled to Qatar to find out more about this superhuman.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17And here he is!
0:01:17 > 0:01:20- Alain, it's a pleasure to meet you! - It's a pleasure to meet you too!
0:01:20 > 0:01:22You're the man they call the Spider-Man...
0:01:22 > 0:01:26It seems I am a kind of human Spider-Man.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29- Have you ever fallen off? - I fell seven times.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32The major one, I was 19,
0:01:32 > 0:01:37and I fell head-first from 15 metres
0:01:37 > 0:01:41and I have landed on my wrist on some stones,
0:01:41 > 0:01:44so both wrists have completely smashed.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47See, I'd look at a building and go, "That's a nice building!"
0:01:47 > 0:01:49And you're looking at it and going, "I could climb that!"
0:01:49 > 0:01:53At first, when I was young, I was scared of heights,
0:01:53 > 0:01:55but I just wanted to become a kind of hero.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58We've searched the world to try and find somebody
0:01:58 > 0:01:59to measure up against you.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03And there isn't anyone. There's nobody! So, it's me.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07- Is that OK with you? - That's fine. Great! Let's do it!
0:02:07 > 0:02:11This is Dr Megan John - she's an expedition doctor
0:02:11 > 0:02:13and has kept people alive while they've attempted
0:02:13 > 0:02:17some of the most dangerous activities you could imagine.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21She's devised three Super Tests to work out what exactly makes
0:02:21 > 0:02:22Alain's abilities so unique!
0:02:26 > 0:02:29Tim, Alain, I've brought you to Doha, the capital of Qatar,
0:02:29 > 0:02:31to this climbing wall.
0:02:31 > 0:02:32For today's Super Test,
0:02:32 > 0:02:35I'm going to be assessing the strength of your muscles,
0:02:35 > 0:02:37particularly in your hands.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39You'll both be climbing this climbing wall,
0:02:39 > 0:02:43which we've had fitted with special holds - they will get smaller
0:02:43 > 0:02:46the higher you get, making it harder and harder...
0:02:46 > 0:02:49Yeah, that looks really tough! It overhangs!
0:02:49 > 0:02:51Do you think I'm going to be able to do that?
0:02:51 > 0:02:53To be honest, I don't think you can make it.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55Great(!)
0:02:56 > 0:02:58Climbers often use artificial walls to train on,
0:02:58 > 0:03:01and Dr Megan is using this 9-metre high one
0:03:01 > 0:03:03for Super Test One.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07The challenge is simple - who can reach the top without falling off?
0:03:08 > 0:03:12During this test, I'll be assessing Alain and Tim's grip strength
0:03:12 > 0:03:16using this special piece of equipment called a dynometer.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18As they grip it, the data will come up on my screen,
0:03:18 > 0:03:20so I can analyse it.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22The holds at the bottom will be using their full-hand grip,
0:03:22 > 0:03:24and as they get higher up,
0:03:24 > 0:03:27they will have to use the pincer grip for the smaller holds.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31It's our pincer grip that allows us to be such a successful species.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34It means we can write, create beautiful art
0:03:34 > 0:03:36and even climb high walls.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39I'll be doing the readings before and after the test.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42- It'll be interesting to see how they change.- So, hold it like this?
0:03:44 > 0:03:47Dr Megan can see from the test that Tim's results
0:03:47 > 0:03:50are exactly what she would expect from an average guy.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54However, it's a very different story with Alain's results.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56Because of his injuries to his wrists,
0:03:56 > 0:03:59Alain's pinch grip is about a half the strength of an average man's.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03And, incredibly, his full-hand squeeze is only about a quarter!
0:04:06 > 0:04:07That's the maximum I can do.
0:04:07 > 0:04:12- That's great.- I'm sure that Tim was stronger than me...
0:04:12 > 0:04:16You're dead right! But how will this affect his climbing in the test?
0:04:16 > 0:04:18Alain's famous around the world
0:04:18 > 0:04:20for climbing without any safety equipment,
0:04:20 > 0:04:23but there's no way Dr Megan's letting him do that here -
0:04:23 > 0:04:26he'll be wearing the full kit.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28The guys are getting fitted up with their specialist equipment.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32They will be wearing harnesses and safety helmets for protection.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34They are also going to be supervised
0:04:34 > 0:04:36by a specialist climbing safety team.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40The average person isn't used to climbing up walls.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44You use your hands to grip and your arms and legs to pull yourself up.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47Soon your muscles will start to tire and ache.
0:04:47 > 0:04:48Your grip strength will weaken
0:04:48 > 0:04:51and you won't be able to hold on as well.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54You might start to make mistakes and slip off the wall.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56Eventually, your muscles will become so exhausted,
0:04:56 > 0:04:59they stop working, and you'll fall off,
0:04:59 > 0:05:02and without a safety rope, you would be seriously injured or even die.
0:05:02 > 0:05:07So, Tim, you're all ready to start the test. How are you feeling?
0:05:07 > 0:05:09OK, as ever, Doc, I'll do my best for you!
0:05:09 > 0:05:11Good luck!
0:05:11 > 0:05:13Tim's off the ground, at least!
0:05:13 > 0:05:15At the bottom, the holds are quite large,
0:05:15 > 0:05:18so they shouldn't be too difficult.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20There aren't many holds, but near the bottom, they should be very big
0:05:20 > 0:05:24and should be easy for Tim to hold or get a climbing shoe onto.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28Poor Tim. He's not making this look easy.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33Remember, you should never climb anything too high
0:05:33 > 0:05:36without safety ropes. It can be very dangerous.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41You have over 600 muscles in your body,
0:05:41 > 0:05:44and they all have a very specific job.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47The muscles that move your body are called skeletal muscles
0:05:47 > 0:05:51and when these muscles get longer and shorter, they move your bones.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53Muscles are attached to your bones by long,
0:05:53 > 0:05:55flexible cables called tendons.
0:05:57 > 0:05:58Tendons are incredibly tough
0:05:58 > 0:06:01and grow right into your bones and muscles,
0:06:01 > 0:06:03making the connections super strong.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06Your hands are packed full of tendons
0:06:06 > 0:06:08which allow you to grip things tightly.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15He's doing brilliantly! Tim's afraid of heights.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18You can see the amount of pressure going through his hands
0:06:18 > 0:06:20to support his weight.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26This is taking a lot of concentration.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29He's probably already starting to get a bit tired.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33Tim's at about 3 metres, but he's still got another 6 to go.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38You can see that the next hold he's got up there is smaller
0:06:38 > 0:06:40than the ones at the bottom.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42It's making it harder for his muscles to grip them.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45His fingers are supporting a lot of his body weight,
0:06:45 > 0:06:48but your hands don't have any skeletal muscles in them at all.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56You move your fingers using large, powerful muscles in your forearm.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59These muscles are connected to each of your finger bones
0:06:59 > 0:07:01by very long, strong tendons.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05Each finger has one tendon that runs to the end
0:07:05 > 0:07:08connecting to each bone as it goes.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11As this tendon shortens, your finger bones are all pulled
0:07:11 > 0:07:14at the same time, and your fingers curl up.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17By using the combined power of your muscles and tendons,
0:07:17 > 0:07:21you can do amazing things like hang from a climbing wall
0:07:21 > 0:07:23using just your fingers.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27I don't know if you can see there, but his arms are starting to shake.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29That's because the muscles are having to work so hard
0:07:29 > 0:07:31to keep his grip.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35Ooh! Nearly went there!
0:07:35 > 0:07:39You're doing really well, Tim! How are you feeling?
0:07:39 > 0:07:41OK!
0:07:41 > 0:07:44I don't know if I can make this... My body's trembling...
0:07:46 > 0:07:49Tim hasn't made ANY progress for quite a while now.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53Hand's going on...
0:07:53 > 0:07:57Tim, you're doing brilliantly! About halfway now!
0:07:57 > 0:07:59I can't find another hold.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02Even if he isn't climbing any higher,
0:08:02 > 0:08:05Tim's muscles are getting more tired just hanging on.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07My fingers have got cramp!
0:08:07 > 0:08:10No, Tim can't stay on for any longer!
0:08:10 > 0:08:11OK, Tim, really well done!
0:08:11 > 0:08:15If you come down, we'll see how your grip readings are now.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19Tim reached 4.5 metres and was climbing for a painful 4 minutes 20.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22Now, Dr Megan wants to test his grip strength straightaway
0:08:22 > 0:08:23before he starts to recover.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26Great, if you're ready to do the pincer grip now?
0:08:26 > 0:08:27Tim's results show that he's lost
0:08:27 > 0:08:30more than half of the strength in his hands during the test.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33That shows just how hard he found the climb!
0:08:33 > 0:08:34Oh...
0:08:34 > 0:08:36Now, it's Alain's turn!
0:08:40 > 0:08:42You can see, even at this early stage,
0:08:42 > 0:08:46that the way Alain's climbing is technically completely different
0:08:46 > 0:08:49from the way Tim did. Everything's very calculated and accurate.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55Already at this stage, Tim was starting to shake,
0:08:55 > 0:08:58and his muscles were working really hard.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00Alain looks completely comfortable!
0:09:01 > 0:09:03Alain is now over halfway.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07No muscle shake despite all his previous injuries -
0:09:07 > 0:09:10he's looking as relaxed as a mountain goat!
0:09:10 > 0:09:13How heavy you are has a big impact on how much grip strength you need.
0:09:13 > 0:09:19Alain is about the same weight as me - about half what Tim weighs.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22He explained to me that he has to keep himself so light
0:09:22 > 0:09:24so that he doesn't have to lift so much weight.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28This is one of the reasons that Alain is such a super climber.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31When your arm muscles are holding your body weight,
0:09:31 > 0:09:34they'll eventually get tired, and you'll have to let go.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38But Alain is ultra-light.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41In fact, an average man is a whole 30kg heavier than him.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44To make him the same weight, Alain would have to carry
0:09:44 > 0:09:46the equivalent of a Labrador dog!
0:09:46 > 0:09:47Because he is lighter,
0:09:47 > 0:09:51his muscles don't need to work so hard to hold him up
0:09:51 > 0:09:53and they don't get tired so quickly.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55He is also a very skilled climber
0:09:55 > 0:09:58and he knows how to find the best hand and foot holds
0:09:58 > 0:10:02and how to support his body to use less energy.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04All this means Alain can climb higher and higher
0:10:04 > 0:10:06and longer than the average human.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09He's making it look easy and he's nearly at the top.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14As he gets higher, the holds are getting harder and smaller.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17It's amazing to watch Alain - he really does look like a spider man!
0:10:17 > 0:10:20There he is! Well done, Alain!
0:10:20 > 0:10:23If you can come down and we can get your readings?
0:10:23 > 0:10:26Alain easily climbed to the top of the 9-metre wall
0:10:26 > 0:10:28in only 3 minutes and 7 seconds.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30Full grip? Go!
0:10:30 > 0:10:33Although Alain's readings were not high before the test,
0:10:33 > 0:10:35due to his previous injuries, incredibly,
0:10:35 > 0:10:38his readings were even higher after the test!
0:10:38 > 0:10:41That's how effortless the climb was for him!
0:10:41 > 0:10:42So, this is fantastic -
0:10:42 > 0:10:46you've adapted your technique and your way of climbing
0:10:46 > 0:10:48- to utilise your strengths. - Yeah, very much like that.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51First of all, I am very strong mentally,
0:10:51 > 0:10:54also I am using my body in a different way
0:10:54 > 0:10:57from most of the people who are climbing.
0:10:57 > 0:11:03Maybe being a superhuman, it's not only being super-duper strong.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07It means being very strong mentally.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11I would have done so much better in Super Test One
0:11:11 > 0:11:13if I'd had more climbing experience.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15Like the people of St Kilda.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17Every day for hundreds of years,
0:11:17 > 0:11:20on the Scottish Island of St Kilda,
0:11:20 > 0:11:23islanders climbed steep cliffs to hunt for sea birds
0:11:23 > 0:11:25and collect their eggs to eat.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27One slip from the 300-metre high cliffs
0:11:27 > 0:11:29would have meant certain death.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32St Kildans climbed in their bare feet,
0:11:32 > 0:11:34a skill they learnt from childhood.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37Their ankles and toes became stronger
0:11:37 > 0:11:39and more flexible than normal,
0:11:39 > 0:11:43allowing them to grip the rock with their feet as well as their hands.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46Their exceptional climbing skills
0:11:46 > 0:11:49allowed their families to survive on this,
0:11:49 > 0:11:51the most remote island in the UK.
0:11:51 > 0:11:52In Super Test Two,
0:11:52 > 0:11:56I'm going to be looking at the stamina of your muscles.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59That's how long they can keep doing an exercise,
0:11:59 > 0:12:02like holding your weight on a bar, over a period of time.
0:12:02 > 0:12:07So today, you're both going to be hanging around a bit...up there!
0:12:07 > 0:12:11To be a top climber, you need to have more than strong muscles.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14You need to have stamina to keep climbing to the top!
0:12:14 > 0:12:18Super Test Two is simple - who can hang on these bars
0:12:18 > 0:12:20the longest without falling off?
0:12:20 > 0:12:22Holding themselves up on the bar
0:12:22 > 0:12:26will require the boys' muscles in their arms to work really hard.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29That will cause a build-up of a chemical called lactate.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31I'll be recording the lactate levels in their blood
0:12:31 > 0:12:34before and after the test using these lactate analysers.
0:12:34 > 0:12:35This will give me a marker
0:12:35 > 0:12:38of how hard their muscles will have had to work during the challenge.
0:12:38 > 0:12:43Everybody has a different normal lactate level in their blood.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46Dr Megan is measuring this in Tim and Alain before the test,
0:12:46 > 0:12:49so she can see how it's changed after the test.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53OK, then, guys, let's get you up there!
0:12:53 > 0:12:55Like any activity off the ground,
0:12:55 > 0:12:59Super Test Two is potentially dangerous.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01These bars have been rigged by climbing professionals
0:13:01 > 0:13:03to hold an adult's weight.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05You mustn't try anything like this,
0:13:05 > 0:13:07as you could fall and seriously hurt yourself.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10Once again, Alain and Tim will be wearing full safety gear
0:13:10 > 0:13:13and be supervised by our team of experts.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19- OK, guys, are you both ready? - Yeah.- Right, then!
0:13:19 > 0:13:23Three, two, one, GO!
0:13:23 > 0:13:27Tim and Alain are wearing harnesses, which won't support them
0:13:27 > 0:13:30during the test but will catch them when they fall...
0:13:33 > 0:13:35They've now been up there for about 10 seconds.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39Tim's already starting to look quite uncomfortable.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42How are you doing, Tim?
0:13:42 > 0:13:45Yeah. The tube is spinning slightly, which is not very helpful.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48Well, it doesn't seem to be a problem Alain's having.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52In fact, he's so comfortable, he's wearing his slippers!
0:13:52 > 0:13:55But Tim, on the other hand...
0:13:55 > 0:13:57Oh, there it goes again! It's spinning.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00Tim thinks the bar is spinning, but it's not.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04His hands are slipping, because they can't get a good grip on the bar.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09Your hand grips a bar best when your fingers and thumb
0:14:09 > 0:14:11overlap around the bar.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13Your hand has several different types of grip
0:14:13 > 0:14:16that let you do many different jobs with your hands,
0:14:16 > 0:14:19like throwing a ball or making a hook for a shopping bag.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22Everyone's hands are different sizes, and many tools
0:14:22 > 0:14:25and sports equipment are made in different sizes,
0:14:25 > 0:14:28so you can find the perfect size for your hands.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31When you're gripping something too big or too small,
0:14:31 > 0:14:34your hands can't grip at their strongest.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36Your muscles tire more quickly, your grip will weaken,
0:14:36 > 0:14:38and your hands will start to slip.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44It's gone again! It's really spinning now...
0:14:44 > 0:14:47Tim's face is really starting to grimace.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50As he's having to work harder, it's releasing lactate,
0:14:50 > 0:14:52which causes the burn and pain.
0:14:52 > 0:14:57Alain can hang from the bar, which gives his muscles a brief break.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00But Tim's grip is slipping, so he can't do this,
0:15:00 > 0:15:03so his muscles are always tensed up making them get tired.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07Usually, when your muscles are working, they get shorter and fatter
0:15:07 > 0:15:08and longer and thinner,
0:15:08 > 0:15:12and this movement helps blood flow through them.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15Your blood carries oxygen and sugar to your muscles
0:15:15 > 0:15:17which they use in a chemical reaction to make energy.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19But when you grip something tightly,
0:15:19 > 0:15:23your arm muscles are tensed and don't ever relax.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25They stay short and fat,
0:15:25 > 0:15:28and this stops the blood flowing through them.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30Your muscles now can't get enough oxygen.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32They start to use sugar by itself,
0:15:32 > 0:15:35but this reaction makes a chemical called lactic acid.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38Lactic acid makes your muscles ache,
0:15:38 > 0:15:41and eventually you'll have to let your muscles relax.
0:15:45 > 0:15:46A minute and a quarter now,
0:15:46 > 0:15:49and Alain's still looking very comfortable.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52- How are you doing now, Tim? - Badly.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54How are your arms feeling?
0:15:54 > 0:15:56They're fine, but I can't grip the tube.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58I've only got my fingers on it. I can't do it...
0:15:58 > 0:16:01Tim's fallen off after only 1 minute and 25 seconds.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04But Alain's patiently hanging around
0:16:04 > 0:16:07while Dr Megan tests Tim's lactate levels.
0:16:09 > 0:16:14What story will Tim's blood tell? All will be revealed shortly.
0:16:14 > 0:16:15Alain is still hanging on
0:16:15 > 0:16:19and he's been up there now for over 3 minutes.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22Alain's been up there over double the time Tim has.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25I think he's proved his point. Alain! Do you want to come down now?
0:16:25 > 0:16:28OK, take me, I stop, OK?
0:16:28 > 0:16:32Now it's Alain's turn to get his lactate tested.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37So, guys, you both did really well!
0:16:37 > 0:16:41I've got the data here from your lactate readings.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44Tim, you went from 1.4 before the test,
0:16:44 > 0:16:48to 8.9, your lactate reading straight after.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51So that shows how hard your muscles in your arms were having to work
0:16:51 > 0:16:53to keep you up there!
0:16:53 > 0:16:588.9! Poor Tim! His muscles must have been in agony!
0:16:58 > 0:17:01So, Alain, after 3 minutes, I called you down.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04You did really, really well and you were still looking comfortable -
0:17:04 > 0:17:08your reading before the test was 1.6.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11After, when you came down, it was 4.1.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14So that's less than half what Tim's was,
0:17:14 > 0:17:17and, Tim, you did half the time.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21A lifetime of climbing has given Alain super stamina.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26It was really tough hanging on in Super Test Two,
0:17:26 > 0:17:28but sometimes in life-or-death situations,
0:17:28 > 0:17:31people do incredible things!
0:17:31 > 0:17:34Adventurer, Takeyasu Minamiura was paragliding in Pakistan,
0:17:34 > 0:17:37from the top of one of the most treacherous
0:17:37 > 0:17:40rocky spikes in the world, when disaster struck.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42His paraglider snagged on a rock,
0:17:42 > 0:17:46and he found himself hanging several kilometres above the ground.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49Rescue helicopters couldn't reach Takeyasu.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53They could only throw food until finally a block of cheese
0:17:53 > 0:17:55became wedged above him. After six days,
0:17:55 > 0:17:59Takeyasu was so hungry that he managed an incredible climb
0:17:59 > 0:18:02without any safety ropes up to the cheese.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04Luckily, where cheese had landed was a small ledge.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07He climbed onto it, and this meant the rescue teams
0:18:07 > 0:18:09could save him at last.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15In Super Tests One and Two, we saw that strength
0:18:15 > 0:18:18and stamina are important to be a climber.
0:18:18 > 0:18:19In my Super Test Three,
0:18:19 > 0:18:24you'll both be getting a chance to put these into action, in style!
0:18:24 > 0:18:27You're going to be climbing...THAT!
0:18:27 > 0:18:30That or rather this is a hotel called the Torch Doha
0:18:30 > 0:18:33and it's designed to look like an Olympic torch.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36At 318 metres tall, it's about the same height
0:18:36 > 0:18:38as the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42It's covered in wire mesh and has a swimming pool that sticks out
0:18:42 > 0:18:44a third of the way up at about 100 metres.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47Dr Megan has placed rope safety specialists at this level,
0:18:47 > 0:18:48and if they get this far,
0:18:48 > 0:18:51Tim and Alain will need to change safety ropes
0:18:51 > 0:18:53if they want to climb any higher.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56If they do, things will get harder, because at about 200 metres,
0:18:56 > 0:19:00the building curves outwards making it even more difficult to climb.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03Because this is so dangerous, Dr Megan has a huge team
0:19:03 > 0:19:06of safety professionals and climbing experts
0:19:06 > 0:19:09to oversee the safety ropes and harnesses,
0:19:09 > 0:19:11and she has medics on standby as well.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14Climbing a building like this is incredibly dangerous
0:19:14 > 0:19:16and actually illegal without special permission.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19You should never attempt anything like this.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25Climbing a building makes your heart work faster,
0:19:25 > 0:19:28and you'll start to sweat, making it harder to grip.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32Soon, your muscles will start to tire and ache.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34As you climb higher, your brain knows you could fall
0:19:34 > 0:19:37and triggers the average person to get scared.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41You might start to make mistakes and slip off.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45If you lose your grip before you get to the top, you will fall off,
0:19:45 > 0:19:49and without a safety rope, you will be seriously injured or even die.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52And today, there's an extra challenge from the weather.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54Is this wind going to help me?
0:19:54 > 0:19:58Maybe. It may...pushes you all the way to the top!
0:19:58 > 0:20:01Really? This is not sailing, Alain!
0:20:02 > 0:20:05You're dead right, Tim. It's the moment of truth.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07How high will Tim be able to climb?
0:20:07 > 0:20:10Will he even make it to the 100-metre platform?
0:20:14 > 0:20:15Oh, this is horrendous!
0:20:15 > 0:20:18Tim is on the first ledge, but he can't even get started
0:20:18 > 0:20:22on the mesh that covers the outside of the building.
0:20:22 > 0:20:23I can't even get my feet in...
0:20:23 > 0:20:25When they built this building,
0:20:25 > 0:20:27they hadn't designed it with climbers in mind!
0:20:27 > 0:20:30But Alain's on hand with some helpful advice.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33Use the cracks in between!
0:20:33 > 0:20:35You jam the tip of your foot inside it!
0:20:35 > 0:20:39It is what you will have to use for your foot...
0:20:39 > 0:20:41Yeah, good!
0:20:42 > 0:20:45Yeah, that's the way, Tim!
0:20:45 > 0:20:48Tim, you're doing really well! How are you feeling now?
0:20:48 > 0:20:51It really hurts the feet.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53Tim seems to have got the hang of squashing his feet
0:20:53 > 0:20:55into the tiny gaps in the mesh.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59It hurts your feet, it hurts your fingers...
0:20:59 > 0:21:01But he's starting to feel the pain.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07He's starting to shake all over. He's getting tired and nervous.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09When you're nervous and stressed,
0:21:09 > 0:21:11your body sends out all sorts of strange nerve impulses,
0:21:11 > 0:21:15which is one of the things that's making him shake.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19He's not graceful, but he is making progress!
0:21:19 > 0:21:22Tim's up about 20 metres now - he's doing really, really well!
0:21:22 > 0:21:27He is doing really well, but there's still 300 metres to climb.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32Oh, this is horrendous!
0:21:32 > 0:21:36Alain must really love this stuff to go through this...!
0:21:38 > 0:21:41So, he's been going 11 minutes now.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44If you remember in Super Test Two, we were testing the lactic acid -
0:21:44 > 0:21:47as you get tired, your body releases a chemical called lactate,
0:21:47 > 0:21:50which is what causes the burn when you exercise really hard.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52There's another nice ledge.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57We can see him shaking it out.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00Climbing uses your flexor muscles, and when you stretch them out,
0:22:00 > 0:22:03you're trying to extend them back out again.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05I'm really surprised how well Tim's doing!
0:22:05 > 0:22:08Tim's been climbing for 12 minutes.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11In Super Test One, he didn't even last for 4 and a half minutes,
0:22:11 > 0:22:14- so he is doing really, really well. - I'm getting tired now.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19My feet are not responding as well as they did.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22And my leg muscles are feeling it.
0:22:22 > 0:22:23The combination of physical pain
0:22:23 > 0:22:25and the exhaustion of getting up there,
0:22:25 > 0:22:28plus the mental strain of being frightened of heights...
0:22:28 > 0:22:30It's getting quite a lot for Tim to cope with.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33I'm exhausted.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35I don't know how much longer I can do this!
0:22:35 > 0:22:39Hips in! Push upwards, not out!
0:22:39 > 0:22:42When he stops, he's shaking,
0:22:42 > 0:22:45and Ross, one of our climbing supervisors,
0:22:45 > 0:22:48was having to talk to Tim to try to motivate him to carry on up...
0:22:51 > 0:22:56Amazingly, Tim manages to dig deeper and find some extra energy.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59He's getting closer to that 100-metre platform.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02Take your time! Shake those arms out!
0:23:02 > 0:23:04Breathe!
0:23:04 > 0:23:07Keep feeding your arms...
0:23:08 > 0:23:11I'm just resting... I'm just resting...
0:23:12 > 0:23:14My arms are now throbbing.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16They really are...
0:23:16 > 0:23:20If he can't go on from there, we'll just haul him up...
0:23:20 > 0:23:23Surely he's not going to give up now?
0:23:23 > 0:23:25Final push now!
0:23:25 > 0:23:28He's nearly made it to the swimming pool ledge!
0:23:28 > 0:23:32Yes, Tim, come on! He's still got something left!
0:23:33 > 0:23:35HE GRUNTS
0:23:38 > 0:23:41Tim's so close, everyone can see him
0:23:41 > 0:23:44from the pool platform, but he's not quite there yet!
0:23:44 > 0:23:46You're going to get this! One panel!
0:23:47 > 0:23:50Tim's been climbing for 35 minutes.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52He's done incredibly well, but he's exhausted,
0:23:52 > 0:23:55and the pool at 100 metres is as far as he's going to get.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57Yeah!
0:23:59 > 0:24:00Get in!
0:24:00 > 0:24:02Well done!
0:24:02 > 0:24:04Poor Tim! He looks completely exhausted, but he's done it.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07He's made it to the swimming pool! Incredible!
0:24:09 > 0:24:12- I dunno, how you do this... - Here we are, Tim!
0:24:12 > 0:24:15TIM GASPS FOR BREATH Let's hug it out, guys!
0:24:15 > 0:24:18Let's hug it out.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20Oh, am I glad to see you two guys!
0:24:20 > 0:24:22HE GASPS
0:24:22 > 0:24:24Wow, that was tough!
0:24:25 > 0:24:28Tim did incredibly well, but let's see how Alain does it.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34Alain looks so at ease as he climbs.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37But then, he is one of the world's most famous climbers.
0:24:37 > 0:24:42In Super Tests One and Two, we learnt how incredible
0:24:42 > 0:24:45Alain's technique and his stamina are in his muscles.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48You were already shaking at this point. You did really, really well!
0:24:48 > 0:24:50That may not have been muscle strength, Doc,
0:24:50 > 0:24:52that could have been nervousness!
0:24:52 > 0:24:55Watching someone else do it, I can't quite believe I did it...
0:24:55 > 0:24:59It's phenomenal! Absolutely phenomenal...
0:25:02 > 0:25:04After only 15 minutes,
0:25:04 > 0:25:08Alain is already nearing the 100-metre point that Tim got to.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12That's more than twice as fast as Tim and he doesn't even seem tired.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15He said up until the swimming pool,
0:25:15 > 0:25:17he considers that the easy part of the climb -
0:25:17 > 0:25:20so he's warming up, before he does the overhang bit.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23That's going to be really tough.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26Alain easily reached the 100-metre point
0:25:26 > 0:25:29and after a rope change, he's happy to carry on climbing.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32He's an absolutely fantastic example
0:25:32 > 0:25:35of how adaption can work to your benefit.
0:25:35 > 0:25:39He's worked his climbing technique out to take into account
0:25:39 > 0:25:43the injuries he's sustained and the weakness he's got in his grip.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48As Alain takes a moment to chalk his hands up
0:25:48 > 0:25:50and give his legs a wee stretch,
0:25:50 > 0:25:55it's easy to forget that he's 200 metres off the ground!
0:25:57 > 0:26:00Next, the hardest part of the climb. The overhang!
0:26:02 > 0:26:04I know nothing about climbing,
0:26:04 > 0:26:06but even I can see that when you're at that angle, that's helpful.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09If you're at that angle, that's not helpful!
0:26:12 > 0:26:15At this height, the building bends back on itself,
0:26:15 > 0:26:17making it much harder to climb,
0:26:17 > 0:26:20because you can't rely on your legs to carry as much of your weight.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28He must be getting on for 300 metres up now.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30Oh, I think, definitely.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33For us, he's wearing full safety gear, just like you did -
0:26:33 > 0:26:35the harness, the helmet, he's on the ropes.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39But you've got to remember that this guy normally has so much confidence
0:26:39 > 0:26:42in his technique and ability, that he does this type of thing
0:26:42 > 0:26:44WITHOUT any safety precautions!
0:26:44 > 0:26:47Yeah. His mental focus must be...unbelievable!
0:26:49 > 0:26:53Alain's had nearly 40 years training and experience in climbing.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55You should never climb ANYTHING
0:26:55 > 0:26:58without the proper training and equipment!
0:26:58 > 0:26:59It's the last few moves for Alain.
0:26:59 > 0:27:03Incredibly, he's climbed over 300 metres now.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05It's just seemed effortless for him!
0:27:14 > 0:27:17That's him! That dot at the top of the building, that is Alain!
0:27:17 > 0:27:19He's made it!
0:27:21 > 0:27:23I came to Doha looking for a superhuman.
0:27:23 > 0:27:25A real-life Spider-Man.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27I found one.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30Alain Robert, you are superhuman!
0:27:39 > 0:27:43Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd