The French 'Spider-Man' Freeclimbs in Havana

Reuters

You might not think that Alain Robert, the French Spider-Man, would have much to fear from the 27-story Habana Libre Hotel after successfully summiting the Sears Tower, the Empire State Building and dozens of other megastructures without rope or harness.

But each building brings new challenges. In this case, Robert told the Associated Press, he was nervous that a piece of the building's worn facade might come off in his hand or under his feet.

The former Havana Hilton held firm, and Robert made his ascent on Monday -- with no safety equipment -- in a half hour, or about one floor a minute. From the top, he waved a Cuban flag for a cheering crowd of onlookers.

Yesterday, just for kicks, he climbed an old school building in the old city.