Nik Wallenda crosses gorge near the Grand Canyon
Nik Wallenda, 34, successfully crossed a tightrope 1,500 feet above the Little Colorado River Gorge near the Grand Canyon. The daredevil walked across a 2-inch wide cable to complete the feat without a safety harness.
Before attempting the stunt, the seventh-generation member of the Flying Wallendas family gave his wife and children a hug and said a prayer with famed pastor Joel Olsteen. Wallenda prayed aloud during the more than 20-minute long walk while Olsteen prayed for the acrobat in silence.
The entire trek was shown on The Discovery Channel and discussed on social media with the hash tag #SkyWire.
Several of Wallenda’s family members have perished while attempting tightrope stunts.
His great-grandfather, Karl Wallenda, fell during a performance in Puerto Rico and died at the age of 73. He also has a cousin and an uncle who died while performing.
-danielle canada
