We Climbed The Highest Open-Air Building Ascent In The World, And Here's How It Felt

City Climb is an experience in New York City where visitors can climb the crown of 30 Hudson Yards — a skyscraper more than 1,200 feet above the ground — and then lean out over the edge.

A wide view of the skyscraper

So we decided to try it to see how intense it REALLY is.

Terry and Ajani posing for a photo on the skyscraper

Editor's note: BuzzFeed was provided this experience free of charge but was under no obligation to give a positive review. This post includes our honest reactions.

City Climb

Ajani's thoughts before the climb: "In the weeks leading up to it, I was not afraid at all, just excited. I'm not usually afraid of heights, so I was just looking forward to the rush. But the day of, once we arrived there, then I started getting nervous."

Ajani wearing a helmet on the stairs of the skyscraper
City Climb

Terry's thought's before the climb: "I was literally shaking in my Chelsea boots days before the climb. Although I was the one who initially suggested doing the climb, somehow, I was more nervous than Ajani was to do it. Thankfully, that all went away when I arrived at Hudson Yards. Suddenly, I was super calm about the whole thing. At that point, there was no turning back."

Terry wearing a helmet on the stairs of the skyscraper
City Climb

The entrance to City Climb is located on the fourth floor of the Shops at Hudson Yards.

The entrance to the Shops and the Climb poster
Getty Images / Ajani Bazile / BuzzFeed

After we checked in, an instructor weighed us and measured our heights to make sure we met the requirements.

Ajani standing on a scale and next to a height measurer

You have to be 13 years old or older, between 4.9 and 6.7 feet tall, and weigh no more than 310 pounds clothed to be eligible.

City Climb

Then came the inevitable legal waiver you have to sign when you do stuff like climb over a thousand feet in the air.

A photo of the waiver
Terry Carter / BuzzFeed

And a Breathalyzer test we had to pass. (So, unfortunately, you cannot take any shots to ease your nerves before scaling this building!)

Terry and Ajani with Breathalyzers in their mouths
Ajani Bazile / Terry Carter / Buzzfeed

Next, we took an elevator up many, many, many floors. At that point, we were required to remove all loose items, such as watches, earrings, necklaces, and any other jewelry, and place them into lockers.

A notice about all climbers being given a suit to be worn over clothing, all loose items having to be removed, and other clothing requirements
City Climb

Then we were given our climbing suits and helmets and securely strapped inside harnesses, which then had to be approved by four different climbing guides to ensure safety.

Climbers in their suits

We personally appreciated having four different people quadruple-check to make sure all was good before the climb.

Alexi Rosenfeld / Getty Images

Long, thick cables were attached from both the front and back of each harness to the staircase railing, and then we were taught how to maneuver them for climbing.

Terry and Ajani waving while attached to a railing
City Climb

Finally, we were outside, and we began our trek.

The climbers climbing the rail and the view to the top

Our guides recorded the adventure on GoPros attached to their helmets.

City Climb

Before we ascended to the apex, our guides allowed us to lean off of a cliff — our cables keeping us from falling — to take in a gorgeous view overlooking Manhattan, New Jersey, and the Hudson River.

A wide view of the Hudson River and New Jersey
City Climb

This is where we were leaning from, btw:

A wide view of the skyscraper, with the area at the start of the vertical climb circled
Anthony Devlin / Getty Images

Ajani's thoughts: "At this point, I was scared. As I was leaning out over the city, I kept worrying that that rope would snap, for some reason. But after a few seconds, I forced myself to relax, and it was really easy to distract myself with the unreal view of the city."

A sky view of the top of the skyscraper
City Climb

Terry's thoughts: "This part of the climb was definitely overwhelming for me. Between the stunning views and the fact that we were already thousands of feet up in the air, I felt an adrenaline rush that I had never experienced before."

View of the Hudson and New Jersey
City Climb

Next, we proceeded to walk up 161 steps while holding on to the railing and taking in an amazing outlook of downtown Manhattan.

Ajani and Terry climbing the skyscraper

Small note: One thing we wish we had remembered to bring was GLOVES. It was cold as hell outside and the railing was freezing too, so if you ever do this in the winter, bring gloves!!!

City Climb

Once we reached the apex, we took turns leaning off the platform, treating ourselves to views of the rest of Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Terry and Ajani walking and leaning over at the top of the skyscraper, and their views
City Climb

For reference, this is where we were leaning from at that point:

A wide view of the skyscraper, with the area at the top of the diagonal climb circled
Anthony Devlin / Getty Images

And this time, we also leaned over with our backs facing the city too.

Terry and Ajani leaning backward on the skyscraper
City Climb

Ajani's thoughts: "I thought this time I wouldn't be scared because we had already leaned off of one platform, but leaning backward was 10 times more terrifying than leaning forwards because I couldn't see behind me. It was like doing a trust fall, but with much higher stakes."

Ajani leaning backward
City Climb

Terry's thoughts: "I felt like a real-life superhero leaning over the apex with my hands in the air. At that moment, I imagined myself flying over the city, and it was like living out a childhood dream — secured to a cable for my safety 😅."

We were done after that and went back inside, where we were awarded medals for our bravery as souvenirs.

Ajani and Terry holding their medals and smiling
Terry Carter Jr.

Ajani's final thoughts: "I loved it. Even though it was nerve-racking, it was also thrilling, and seeing the city from that high up, looking that small, was astonishing."

Ajani climbing the railing
City Climb

Terry's final thoughts: "As a self-proclaimed daredevil, City Climb was definitely one of the most adventurous things I've ever done. It was such a freeing feeling, being able to let go of any fear and fully immerse myself in such an exhilarating experience. Next up? Skydiving!"

Terry smiling while on the skyscraper railing
City Climb

Now we wanna know: Would YOU ever try City Climb? Have you ever done anything similar 👀? Tell us in the comments!