Climbing to the Top of the Burj Khalifa -The World’s Tallest Building | Behind-the-Scenes

Following his own oft repeated mandate of “getting your camera in a different place,” world renowned photographer Joe McNally had already climbed such famous urban structures as the north tower of the original World Trade Center, the Empire State Building, and the uniquely beautiful Queensboro Bridge in his hometown of New York City. One structure was missing from his portfolio of urban mountaineering—the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, the towering centerpiece of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. Arching into the desert sky for a little over half a mile, he teamed with superb climbers Mick (Michael Flamson) and Johnny (Johnny Salvador). They began the arduous ascent into the column leading to the very top. Rung after rung, in blazing heat, they made it up the column to step out onto the roof of the world. The World’s Tallest man-made point on the planet. Standing on the railing that holds the aircraft warning lights, McNally made a pictures of Johnny and Mick doing maintenance, as w