A climbing device configured to displace an instrument fastened to the climbing device when work is being carried out externally on a pillar-shaped construction, the climbing device comprising: - a first frame which defines a first plane and which is configured to surround a pillar-shaped construction such that the first plane extends at least substantially at right angles with respect to a longitudinal axis of the pillar-shaped construction, - first clamping elements which are fastened to the first frame so as to be inwardly displaceable from the first frame in, or at least substantially parallel to, the first plane and which are at least substantially dimensionally stable, - a first tension element which engages, or at least is able to engage, with the first clamping elements, - a tensioning device which is configured to pull the first tensioning element tight, to tension the first tension element in order to move the first clamping elements in the direction of a pillar-shaped construction surrounded by the frame, - a second frame which defines a second plane and which is configured to surround a pillar-shaped construction such that the second plane extends at least substantially at right angles with respect to a longitudinal axis of the pillar-shaped construction, - second clamping elements which are fastened to the second frame so as to be inwardly displaceable from the second frame in, or at least substantially parallel to, the second plane and which are at least substantially dimensionally stable, - a second tension element which engages, or at least is able to engage, with the second clamping elements, - a tensioning device which is configured to pull the second tensioning element tight, to tension the second tension element in order to move the second clamping elements in the direction of a pillar-shaped construction surrounded by the frame, - connecting means which connect the first frame and the second frame to one another and which are configured to connect the first and the second frame (3a, 3b) such that they are movable away from one another and toward one another, - a drive device configured to drive the connecting means, in order to adjust the distance between the first and second frame (3a, 3b). - a first frame which defines a first plane and which is configured to surround a pillar-shaped construction such that the first plane extends at least substantially at right angles with respect to a longitudinal axis of the pillar-shaped construction, - first clamping elements which are fastened to the first frame so as to be inwardly displaceable from the first frame in, or at least substantially parallel to, the first plane and which are at least substantially dimensionally stable, - a first tension element which engages, or at least is able to engage, with the first clamping elements, - a tensioning device which is configured to pull the first tensioning element tight, to tension the first tension element in order to move the first clamping elements in the direction of a pillar-shaped construction surrounded by the frame, - a second frame which defines a second plane and which is configured to surround a pillar-shaped construction such that the second plane extends at least substantially at right angles with respect to a longitudinal axis of the pillar-shaped construction, - second clamping elements which are fastened to the second frame so as to be inwardly displaceable from the second frame in, or at least substantially parallel to, the second plane and which are at least substantially dimensionally stable, - a second tension element which engages, or at least is able to engage, with the second clamping elements, - a tensioning device which is configured to pull the second tensioning element tight, to tension the second tension element in order to move the second clamping elements in the direction of a pillar-shaped construction surrounded by the frame, - connecting means which connect the first frame and the second frame to one another and which are configured to connect the first and the second frame (3a, 3b) such that they are movable away from one another and toward one another, - a drive device configured to drive the connecting means, in order to adjust the distance between the first and second frame (3a, 3b).