Spectators at Niagara Falls held their breath Friday as famed tightrope walker Nik Wallenda prepared to battle winds, spray and birds on the first walk over the falls for more than a century.
Fourteen other daredevils attempted and occasionally succeeded in the 19th century before the stunt was banned. However, they were in a much calmer section of the biggest waterfall in North America, whereas Wallenda, 33, will be on a cable suspended 196 feet (60 meters) up over a never-before-traversed rim of the cascade.
On the flip side, Wallenda is in no danger of dying, as he’ll be wearing a safety harness that attaches him to the wire, something he hasn't done before. The harness was insisted on by ABC television, which is sponsoring the live-broadcast event.
Wallenda, the seventh generation in the “Flying Wallendas” family of circus artists, was relaxed ahead of the 10:00 pm (0200 GMT) feat, having had a good night’s sleep and a light dinner on Thursday.
“We’ll be making history. There is no turning back,” he said. “It’s what I do since I was two years old. It’s my job. It’s very natural to me.”
Throughout the 1,800 foot (550 meters) walk, battered by winds and mist from the roaring water, Wallenda says he plans to “remain focused.”
He will walk across the Niagara falls tonight when it gets dark inshallah. I hope he doesn't fall. Good thing he will have his harness on.
