Tethered Wallenda Walks Wire Across Niagara Falls
- Posted on June 16, 2012 at 12:05am by
Scott Baker
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AP
NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario (AP) — Daredevil Nik Wallenda began his attempt Friday night to become the first person to walk on a tightrope 1,800 feet across the mist-fogged brink of roaring Niagara Falls.
The seventh-generation member of the famed Flying Wallendas had long dreamed of pulling off the stunt, never before attempted. Other daredevils have wire-walked over the Niagara River but farther downstream and not since 1896.
AP
An estimated crowd of 125,000 people on the Canadian side and 4,000 on the American side watched Wallenda’s stunt in person.
ABC televised the walk and insisted Wallenda use a tether to keep him from falling in the river. Wallenda said he agreed because he wasn‘t willing to lose the chance and needed ABC’s sponsorship to help offset some of the $1.3 million cost of the spectacle.
The Wallendas trace their roots to 1780 Austria-Hungary, when ancestors traveled as a band of acrobats, aerialists, jugglers, animal trainers and trapeze artists. The clan has been touched by tragedy, notably in 1978 when patriarch Karl Wallenda, Nik’s great-grandfather, fell to his death during a stunt in Puerto Rico.
About a dozen other tightrope artists have crossed the Niagara Gorge downstream, dating to Jean Francois Gravelet, aka The Great Blondin, in 1859. But no one had walked directly over the falls, and authorities hadn’t allowed any tightrope acts in the area since 1896. It took Wallenda two years to persuade U.S. and Canadian authorities to allow it, and many civic leaders hoped to use the publicity to jumpstart the region’s struggling economy, particularly on the U.S. side of the falls.
ABC televised the walk and insisted Wallenda use a tether to keep him from falling in the river. Wallenda said he agreed because he wasn‘t willing to lose the chance and needed ABC’s sponsorship to help offset some of the $1.3 million cost of the spectacle.
AP
A festive crowd gathered on both sides of the border to watch Wallenda on Friday, spreading blankets and setting up folding chairs under picture-perfect blue skies and summer-like temperatures.
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Comments (62)
TimeLady9
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 11:27amI hope he had his passport or enhanced NYS driver’s license with him! Can’t cross the US?Canada border anymore without one. :-)
Report Post »Sparhawk
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 12:31pmDid you watch the video? The first thing he did after getting off the line was to hand his passport to 2 Canadian customs agents. He even pretended he forgot his passport before pulling it out of a plastic baggie in his pocket.
Report Post »lynskinners
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 12:53pmIf this guy wanted to show he was a “real” dare-devil (and also get tons more publicity) he would have stopped in the middle of the falls and unhooked that wussy CBS-tether and finished the stunt like a true Wallenda! He’s now nothing more than a sell-out to the Lame-stream media. He had only one chance and he blew it.
Report Post »freeberty
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 11:23amNik Wallenda is a perfect analogy of what Christians are all about in today’s world. Everyone hears you saying, “Jesus is my Savior”, “I have faith in you God” all the while you have a tether tied from your backside to the world so large and strong it could hold a church full of you hypocrites. No wonder you are mocked and derided by everyone that comes in contact with you. I know you want everyone to come and know Jesus, maybe when you start paying attention to Exodus 20:3 you won’t look such a fool.
Report Post »Rumelysteam
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 6:53pmJust because you are a daredevil does not mean you want to die if something goes wrong. If he had fallen, he would have failed, but there is a good chance he would have lived. After-all, he does have a family he loves and supports.
I‘m sorry you don’t know our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ….. I pray that you’ll get to meet Him sometime soon. And your life may be so much happier and fulfilled!
Report Post »freeberty
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 7:38pmI am a Christ follower, what doctrine are you that supports fraud and mocks God?
Report Post »siobhan3270
Posted on June 17, 2012 at 10:07amGet your facts straight. He was tethered because the TV station insisted on it. They would not let him do it without a tether, so he finally agreed. The media has decide that we’re not ready to watch someone die on TV for about 10 years or so. Then real live reality shows where people get hurt and die, will be our daily fodder. What a brave new world the media has in store for us.
Report Post »freeberty
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 11:09amThe tether gave this all the suspense of Geraldo Rivera and his vault.
Report Post »StraightDave
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 10:51amHObama is installing a zip line on the boarder for all the beaners to come zipping across.
Report Post »Guerrino_P
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 10:48amHas anyone ever seen the differences between Niagara Falls, NY and Niagara Falls, Ontario? Looks like socialism won this time.
Report Post »TimeLady9
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 11:24amNiagara Falls, Ontario totally revamps their side of the Falls starting in the 1970s. Niagara Falls, USA has the misfortune of being in New York State that has a legislature that never met a tax is didn’t like. That‘s why I’m no longer in New York. Like Glenn, I moved to Texas.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 12:35pmGuerrino P
Report Post »New York is socialist, that’s the problem…..
singray
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 10:26amThe Network made him wear the tether. No tether, no live feed, alas no contract. If you‘ve ever been to Niagara Falls you’d find that not only do you see it, you hear it and feel it. It creates its own weather.
Report Post »Thank You Nik, for an example of what this Country stands for. The ability to succeed if the effort to do so exists. Proves he’s greater than the feat.
Ralpie
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 10:11amBig Deal…this trick had been done by others in the 1890′s…and they did it washing clothes, cooking and blindfolded without a harness…
God was not involved in this stunt…Faith in an invisible friend has nothing to do with any of this…how many of you Christians would have blamed God if he fell to his death?
Of course you delusional Christians would say if he fell to his death then it was God’s will…when if it is God’s will why bother praying in the first place?
Report Post »friedwatermellon
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 10:43amI doubt a person of your low caliber would even walk across 6 lane bridge
Report Post »BetterInformed
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 11:42amcowpie
May God bless you and forever give you a forum to throw your little tantrums and condescending rants.
Report Post »God willing you will be protected from those that would hurt little pr**ks that need attention. Praise the Lord.
SpankDaMonkey
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 9:07am.
Anybody could have done that tied off with a rope……
You sir brought shame to your family name. It’s the Flying Wallendas, not the tied off Wallendas….
Report Post »Todd P
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 9:50amHahahahaha….. I would pay money to watch you try!!!!
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 10:04amLOL Monkey…You could do it hanging by one arm and throwing poop at the crowd couldnt you? Yea…you are a real monkey butt…
Report Post »Seede
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 8:52amTakes lots of guts and a whole bunch of skill. Hats off to the guy .
Report Post »Rumelysteam
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 6:46pmAmen!
Report Post »usmc1063
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 8:26amI normally don’t watch lame stream media out side of the local news coverage. But for some strange reason last night I did. What I was amazed and glad to hear was this man praying as he walked the high wire. I bet Atheist around the world we’re going nutz because of this. The truth of the matter is I prayer for him also to accomplish this feat. I also would bet that alot of you did also when you heard him pray. Tethered or not it was still great walking a 2 or so inch wire keeping careful balance and not once faltering especially on that wet and slippery wire. Tied off or not when you start a walk like that it’s between you and your faith in God that will guide you through to the finish. Pay attention to what he said America and reestablish your faith also.
Report Post »Rumelysteam
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 6:45pmI can just see those network executives cringing when Nik was praying and talking to the Lord. They were probably just itching to call the control room guys and have then turn off the sound. But, ya know…. there are probably some Christians who work in the control room!
Report Post »Ampleforth
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 8:18amI think he was smuggling cigarettes.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 8:38amAs you noticed the Canadian Border Patrol was there to look at his passport as soon as he crossed….If only that would happen like it should in the USA…
Report Post »up2me
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 8:13amMaybe this would be a story IF: After meeting with Glenn Beck, Thousands of Canadians excaped to the USA by crossing a wire stretched across Niagara Falls
Report Post »mikenleeds
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 7:34amBig deal , i know you was force to be tied of by a liberal tv channel but any wussy including me could did what you done know i was tied off …
Report Post »get over yourself
usmc1063
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 8:01amGo ahead I would even pay money to see you try that stunt.
Report Post »Mukichan
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 9:18amyou wouldn’t make it 5 ft let alone 2000 with wind mist etc. a fool speaks. the tether did absolutely nothing unless he fell, which he did not. The balance , endurance and skill required to do this stunt should be respected as with the man who thanked his creator the entire way across. We saw him UNTETHERED walk from entrance to Eiffel Tower at Kings Island a few years ago he is quite an impressive gentleman.
Report Post »Todd P
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 9:50amYeah, I’d pay to watch you too!!!! LOL
Report Post »chips1
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 10:03pmI’d pay to see you walk 1800 ft down a street in Chicago!!!
Report Post »MRMANN
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 6:23amGlad he consented to using a tether. Otherwise, what would the big excitement be about–whether or not he fell to his death?
Report Post »MittensKittens
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 7:23amEven “death defying” stunts are now politically correct. What the he!!. Tethered, really…
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 5:00amI bet ABC had a cow when he started talking and praying to his Savior Jesus Christ. They did cut the audio and atart their stupid comments right after that. I am sure they didn’t bargain for that bit of praise to God.
I bet the Atheist tuned out or wanted to go cut the cable…
Report Post »sawbuck
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 5:17amYou brought up a good point Baddoggy..
I wonder how many tight rope acts (no tether )
Are done by Atheist…?
Probably the same number …that can be found in fox-holes.
Report Post »sawbuck
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 4:57amThe Flying Wallenda’s.. I Think it was his Dad. I saw back in the 70’s at the Rubber Bowl.
Right in the middle of the stadium during the tight-rope-act..
He did a hand stand…
I heard later in life , he died by falling to his death… doing that same headstand stunt…
If there was ever a guy… that went out with his boots on ..It was him.
Report Post »AmericanPatriot
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 3:21amI’m very happy for Nic and his accomplishment. After all the pain and horrors the Wallenda’s have endured during my lifetime, I’m thrilled to see this success! See, if you work hard and keep focussed, dreams really do come true!
Report Post »2SENSEWORTH
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 8:51amAfter all the pain and horrors the Wallenda’s have endured during my lifetime?
Come on – some handle snakes and pray and still get bit. Others walk on high wires and pray and still fall to their death. Tethered or not he’s a survivor of a life endangering act – no more and no less.
Report Post »Bryan B
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 3:00amGot a match ?????
Report Post »piper60
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 7:08amto be used on you, maybe. Stop being such a wise ass.
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 2:32amThe tether seems to take some of the thrill away, yet you have to ask yourself…are you watching to see him make it, or to see him fall? Kind of like NASCAR, I know people who watch because they love racing, and people who might tune in hoping to see a fiery crash.
Having climbed vertical obstacle courses with a safety line, I’ll tell you…You do NOT want to fall..So I applaud this dude for the stunt…I never would even THINK of trying it.
Report Post »mharry860
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 1:58amThis was stupid, ABC made him wear the harness. People have done this carrying other people, blindfolded with baskets on their feet and carrying a clothes washer and doing laundry half way across.
Report Post »TJexcite
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 12:47amOne would not watching for him to fall but when the lions where going to show up to complete the whole Colosseum show. Bread and Circus.
What happened here will be a footnote in a 2012 highlight reel. What happened at the rose garden will be spoken about for years. The day the US became a dictatorship. Everyone was to busy to care, they where watching a guy on a wire. Immigration law today. Healthcare laws in July *100% public insurance program under a food stamp program). and then Drug laws, no federal charges for possession, distribution or manufacture any scheduled drugs in September.
Report Post »jdtanker
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 6:40amCongress has to step in and do something already. Obama is totally out of control and should be impeached now.
Report Post »raderby
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 7:33amuh, taken away in handcuffs – impeachment not nearly enough at this point.
Report Post »LeadNotFollow
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 12:47am…
Watched Nik, he was fantastic. He did not even bobble. He was so cool and relaxed.
Bet the Liberals and Atheists were livid. Nik praised Jesus and kneeled while walking across the falls. He and his family prayed before the walk. His family seem like good people.
Glad he was tethered. That made it more enjoyable for him and for me the viewer, just knowing that he was not going to fall to his death like his great-grandfather Karl.
A great time was had by all. This was good family TV entertainment. No sex, no nudity, no filth talk, no death.
Report Post »Good job ABC.
The-Monk
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 12:47amThat looks likes how I feel going to job interviews…
Report Post »PATTY HENRY
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 3:06am@ THE MONK: You know what people hiring people want to know? “What can you do for us.” Not hearing all about you, but: what you can do for them. That is the #1 mistake most interviewees make…trying to sell themselves instead of being a possible solution. People hire people to help them, not because they want to be talked into something.
Also some resumes don’t often times say what their strongest characteristic is across the top. These interviewers see ten zillion “by the book” resumes – they want to see something that shows some creativity without being cute, some guts and individuality. Finally: God only made ONE of you. He made you for a reason. IF you know what that is, having studied the “manual”, then the rest is up to Him. I hope this helps, forgive me for butting in. I am fortunate to own a company. Anyone I would hire would be someone who could take instructions well, LISTEN, and could convince me that they really cared what happened to my company, and told the truth. Good Luck!
Report Post »Banter
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 7:46amThe Monk
I have open positions I am recruiting for, what type of work are you seeking?
Report Post »ImmediateRealityCheck
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 12:42amI had heard of Blondin before, but didn‘t realize his walk wasn’t directly over the falls. I noticed as soon as Wallenda started to pray and thank God in the middle of the walk, the network cut his audio and went to the talking heads. It probably violated some part of his contract to mention God, but I am glad he demonstrated his source of inspiration and strength.
Report Post »Texas Family of Virtue
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 2:38amIt’s my understanding Blondin did cross the falls not just river, in Sept.14, 1860.
Report Post »I love his story…He walked across 160 feet above the falls, several times…each time with a different daring feat-Once in a sack, on sitilts, ona biycle, in the dark, and blindfolded. One time he carried a stove and cooked an omlet in the middle of the rope! However my favorit is the time he had a large crowed on both sides and the crowed “oohed and aahed!” as Blondin carefully walked across one dangerous step after another-pushing a wheelbarrow holding a sack of potataoes. Then asked for the participation of a volunteer. Upon reaching the other side, the crowd’s applaude was louder than the roar of the falls! Blondin suddenly stoped and addressed his audience:”Do you belive I can carry a person across in the wheelbarrow?“ The crowed enthusiastically yelled ”YES! you are the greatest tightrope walker in the world. We Belive!” – “OKay” he said, “Who wants to get into the wheelbarrow.”FYI…No one did at the time.:-) This story illustrates to me what Faith really is. They said they belived, but their actions proved they truly did not believe. It’s one thing for us to say we believe in God. However, it’s true faith when we beieve God and put our Faith and Trust in his son Jesus Christ. Proverbs 3:5-6 read it. Faith is an Action word, God is saying “These are crazy times, but Trust me…hop into my wheelbarrow.” The real Question is… are we in or are we out? It’
ThePostman
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 8:56amWell said, TFOV!
Report Post »Sicboy
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 12:23amBoo, go old school. No tether.
Report Post »