Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Niagara Falls daredevil plans to cross Grand Canyon without a harness

Seventh-generation acrobat says it's "exciting" that there will be no safety precautions in place

Sophie Warnes
Wednesday 20 March 2013 14:33 EDT
Comments
Nik Wallenda crossing Niagara Falls on a wire in 2012
Nik Wallenda crossing Niagara Falls on a wire in 2012 (AFP/Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Nik Wallenda made history last year by becoming the first person to walk over Horseshoe Falls on a tightrope, but his bucket list of crazy stunts doesn't stop there.

Wallenda wants to take on another challenge and walk across the Grand Canyon on a tightrope. It will be the highest walk he's ever attempted at a height of a heart-racing 1,500 ft.

However, he's doing it on his own terms. Last year, his sponsors ABC insisted that he wear a harness, which was a disappointment for him. He told NBC: "It was my dream to walk over Niagara Falls since I was about five or six years old, but part of that dream was taken away because I had to wear that harness… The exciting thing about this event is that I will not be wearing any tether or any safety whatsoever."

Luckily for him, The Discovery Channel have no doubts about his skill as a tightrope walker, outbidding competitors to buy the exclusive rights to air the stunt live on June 23.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in