Grand Canyon Tightrope Walker Nik Wallenda Interviewed
We’ve commented on the incredible feats of lifelong tightrope walker Nik Wallenda before. Not only did he tightrope over Niagara Falls, somehow garnering the support of two separate countries, but he spent nearly a year planning to walk across the Grand Canyon on a tightrope, and in June of 2013, he successfully completed this life-or-death stunt. Anyone can visit the Grand Canyon Skywalk, but Nik Wallenda was the first to truly walk across the gaming chasm.
While the Grand Canyon National Park didn’t allow him to cross the monument usually referred to as the Grand Canyon, his passage across the “little Grand Canyon” was still a monumentally dangerous and incredible feat. Not only was this the first tightrope walk of its kind, but it was completely real. The danger waiting below was ever-present, and in 30 mph winds, Wallenda had to stop more than once to regain his balance on the two-inch wire that held him 1,500 feet above the Colorado River.
Wallenda wore no harness, and in a recent interview with RedEye, we got to take a closer look into the man behind the 43-pound balancing pole. The full article can be read by visiting the link at the bottom of the article, but here are the highlights of this enlightening discussion…
- The first thing you’d grab in a fire.
A fire extinguisher. - Which foot is bigger, left or right?
My mom would know, because she makes my wire shoes. - Roller coasters or running with bulls?
Both. Why not? - Boxers or briefs?
Boxers. - A daredevil stunt you’d like to do next?
Walk a wire over an active volcano. I’m actually actively working on it.
