SPARTANBURG -- The scariest part was backing up to the edge of the 16-story Denny's building, stretching out my arms and leaning off the edge into the air.
The people 190 feet below didn't look like ants.
They looked smaller.
It was better not to look down. From my vantage point atop Denny's downtown headquarters, I could see for miles. But as I stepped up to the ladder to get strapped in, I wasn't focused on the horizon.
I was focused on the team giving me directions and remembering what to do with my hands. I put all my trust in the harness, ropes and safety crew that stood between me and a nightmare.
This wasn't something planned far in advance. Four days before, Spartanburg Editor Matthew Hensley forwarded me an email about an Over The Edge fundraiser for the Cancer Association of Spartanburg and Cherokee Counties.
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Christian Boschult descends the Denny's tower in downtown Spartanburg from two ropes Nov. 1 as part of the Over The Edge fundraiser.
Matthew Hensley/Staff Buy Now
Christian Boschult descends the Denny's tower in downtown Spartanburg from two ropes Nov. 1 as part of the Over The Edge fundraiser.
Matthew Hensley/Staff Buy Now
Christian Boschult stands beneath the Denny's tower in downtown Spartanburg Nov. 1 after descending from the 16th story as part of the Over The Edge fundraiser.
Matthew Hensley/Staff Buy Now
Christian Boschult poses Nov. 1 in downtown Spartanburg with the Denny's tower behind him.
Matthew Hensley/Staff Buy Now
Christian Boschult goes to get a free meal Nov. 1 from the Denny's Mobile Relief Diner.
Matthew Hensley/Staff Photos: Christian Boschult at Over The Edge fundraiser Buy Now
Christian Boschult descends the Denny's tower in downtown Spartanburg from two ropes Nov. 1 as part of the Over The Edge fundraiser.
Matthew Hensley/Staff Buy Now
Christian Boschult descends the Denny's tower in downtown Spartanburg from two ropes Nov. 1 as part of the Over The Edge fundraiser.
Matthew Hensley/Staff Buy Now
Christian Boschult stands beneath the Denny's tower in downtown Spartanburg Nov. 1 after descending from the 16th story as part of the Over The Edge fundraiser.
Matthew Hensley/Staff Buy Now
Christian Boschult poses Nov. 1 in downtown Spartanburg with the Denny's tower behind him.
Matthew Hensley/Staff Buy Now
Christian Boschult goes to get a free meal Nov. 1 from the Denny's Mobile Relief Diner.
Matthew Hensley/Staff
Over The Edge organizes urban rappelling events popular as team-building exercises and fundraising events for nonprofits like the local Cancer Association, which provides quality-of-life services to cancer patients in the area.
The nonprofit helps local cancer patients with everyday needs like nutritional supplements, medication costs, ostomy and home care supplies, clothing, breast prostheses, wigs, hats and transportation.
For this fundraiser, individuals who wanted to rappel were asked to raise $1,000 to participate. On Nov. 1, 54 people rappelled off the Denny's building, raising $96,000 in the process. Media were also invited to try it out.
When I was younger, I was terrified of heights. Over the years, I've slowly chipped away at my fear, first by climbing small mountains and other exposed trails with steep drop-offs and later by tackling aerial rope courses. But 16 stories up? This was new.
The tree-top rope courses had established some trust in the harness system. My logical brain knew I wouldn't die. I just had to convince my ancient brain, which kept screaming "STOP!"
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When I arrived at Denny's headquarters, the building looked much taller than I imagined. Of course, I see it every day. But I've never stood at the base and looked straight up.
Yikes!
I walked inside and signed a waiver. Then they took me and others up the elevator to the top.
Walking into the boardroom that doubled as our preparation room was the first time I realized how high up we really were. My ancient brain started chattering away again. I tried to lock down those negative thoughts and watched the group before me suit up in the harnesses and head outside.
If they could do it, so could I, right? After all, the danger is simulated. The event itself is incredibly safe. Some of the "edgers" had beat cancer. Compared to that, this would be easy.
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Outside on the ledge, we did last-minute harness adjustments and learned how to lower ourselves using a lever.
I stepped onto a ladder, sat on the edge of the building and the crew hooked me in. My legs wobbling, I stood up and leaned back. The crew told me to extend my arms while I leaned, and I did.
By this point, my ancient brain had worked itself into a complete tizzy. But as I stretched out, the harness held and my mind started to calm down
I slowly walked myself down off the edge until I was suspended in mid-air. The hard part was over. All I had to do now was slowly lower myself down, stopping every few stories to wave at folks who were taking pictures from the windows below me.
By the time I reached the bottom, my ancient brain had completely zoned out.
Now a new thought had taken over: When can I do this again?
To donate to the Cancer Association of Spartanburg and Cherokee Counties, click here.
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