Nik Wallenda Tightrope Walks Across Grand Canyon

Nik Wallenda, the daredevil acrobat, successfully tightrope walked across the Grand Canyon on Sunday – a 1,400-foot walk, 1,500 feet above the pit of the gorge.

Wallenda’s high-wire act took place above the Little Colorado River Gorge on the Navajo Nation. It took him a little over 22 minutes to complete the stunt, as he had to stop and crouch on the 2-inch thick steel cable due to high winds more than once. He did the frightful walk without a harness, wearing just a t-shirt and blue jeans. Wearing a mic, Wallenda was often heard praying while he made his way across.

Wallenda’s Grand Canyon walk was broadcast live on the Discovery Channel, with a 10-second delay in place in case something went horribly wrong. Wallenda admitted after the stunt that not only were the winds far worse than he had predicted, but that dust had built up on his contact lenses. Back in 1978, Wallenda’s great-grandfather, Karl Wallenda, died at the age of 73 falling from a tightrope in Puerto Rico, according to the Los Angeles Times. His great-grandfather is but one of several of Wallenda’s relatives who have died during performances.

It was just a little more than a year ago that Wallenda made headlines for crossing Niagara Falls from the U.S. to Canada – an 1,800 feet walk about 180 feet above the water. He had completed that impressive feat with a harness, unlike on Sunday. Immediately after completing the Niagara Falls stunt, Wallenda had already set his sites on the Grand Canyon.

Next up for Wallenda, if the daredevil has his way, will be a tightrope walk between the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building in New York City, reported New York Magazine.

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