Anyone hear about this live tightrope walk over Niagara stunt http://www.wggb.com/2012/06/15/tightrope-walk-across-niagara-falls-live-tonight-on-abc/ ? It's going to air on ABC at 8pm EDT tonight. I know, short notice but I just remembered it.
Highwire over Niagara Falls tonight
- Thread starter mechanicx
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Pretty easy with the balance pole. No safety net, but he is using a safety tether. Nothing to see hear folks; keep on moving...
Nope. Sorry. Won't be watching. The neighbor painted his house today, so, I'll be watching it dry.....
If Bluestream stands on his tip-toes he can see Niagara Falls from his house.
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
He can stil fall off the wire but won't fall to his death.
Yea, that does it for me.
I'm tuning in now!
He can stil fall off the wire but won't fall to his death.
Yea, that does it for me.
I'm tuning in now!
Originally Posted By: Shannow
Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Pretty easy with the balance pole.
Really, so you are lining up to follow ???
Yes, I will... If you guys set it up that I get the same pay I will do it. I can use the money...
Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Pretty easy with the balance pole.
Really, so you are lining up to follow ???
Yes, I will... If you guys set it up that I get the same pay I will do it. I can use the money...
Not a stunt I would call easy. What with you know, the wind, and mist and the soaking wet cable. Even with the harness that's a pretty impressive feat. Not to mention that he is the only person- ever, to do so.
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Impressive but not much more. I think most daredevil types are a bit nutty and take too many risks....but to be perfectly honest here, I thought the safety harness thing really took ALL serious danger and suspense out of the thing. I know that even he himself was against it. Kind of strange how that balance pole was supported on his back buy a bunch of straps instead of only himself to hold it. I don't know....it didn't do much for me.
From the site: Niagara Falls Stunts & Daredevils: History
Now this is impressive!
JEAN FRANCOIS GRAVELET (THE GREAT BLONDIN)
Professionally known as “The Great Blondin”, Gravelet was the first of many tightrope walkers to appear at Niagara Falls. He was a professional artist and showman trained in the great tradition of the European circus. At age 31 he came to America and made the announcement that he would cross the gorge of the Niagara River on a tightrope.
On June 30, 1859 the rope was in position and at five o’clock in the afternoon, Blondin started the trip that was to make history.
Watchers saw him lower a rope from the tightrope to the Maid of the Mist, pull up a bottle and sit down while he refreshed himself. He began his ascent toward the Canadian shore, paused, steadied the balancing pole and suddenly executed a back somersault.
Never content merely to repeat his last performance, Blondin crossed his rope on a bicycle, walked blindfolded, pushed a wheelbarrow, cooked an omelet in the centre and made the trip with his hands and feet manacled.
Yet even these stunts failed to satisfy Blondin’s urge to test him. He announced that on August 19 he would cross the gorge carrying his manager, Harry Colcord, on his back. It was to be the supreme test of Blondin’s skill and stamina.
According to Colcord, the trip was a nightmare. In the unguyed centre section, the pair swayed violently. Blondin was fighting for his life. He broke into a desperate run to reach the first guy rope. When he reached it and steadied himself, it broke. Once more the pair swayed alarmingly as Blondin again ran for the next guy.
When they reached it Blondin gasped for Colcord to get down. Six times in all Colcord had to dismount while Blondin had to charge the crowd on the brink to prevent the press of people forcing them back in the precipice.
He died in England at the age of 73.
Now this is impressive!
JEAN FRANCOIS GRAVELET (THE GREAT BLONDIN)
Professionally known as “The Great Blondin”, Gravelet was the first of many tightrope walkers to appear at Niagara Falls. He was a professional artist and showman trained in the great tradition of the European circus. At age 31 he came to America and made the announcement that he would cross the gorge of the Niagara River on a tightrope.
On June 30, 1859 the rope was in position and at five o’clock in the afternoon, Blondin started the trip that was to make history.
Watchers saw him lower a rope from the tightrope to the Maid of the Mist, pull up a bottle and sit down while he refreshed himself. He began his ascent toward the Canadian shore, paused, steadied the balancing pole and suddenly executed a back somersault.
Never content merely to repeat his last performance, Blondin crossed his rope on a bicycle, walked blindfolded, pushed a wheelbarrow, cooked an omelet in the centre and made the trip with his hands and feet manacled.
Yet even these stunts failed to satisfy Blondin’s urge to test him. He announced that on August 19 he would cross the gorge carrying his manager, Harry Colcord, on his back. It was to be the supreme test of Blondin’s skill and stamina.
According to Colcord, the trip was a nightmare. In the unguyed centre section, the pair swayed violently. Blondin was fighting for his life. He broke into a desperate run to reach the first guy rope. When he reached it and steadied himself, it broke. Once more the pair swayed alarmingly as Blondin again ran for the next guy.
When they reached it Blondin gasped for Colcord to get down. Six times in all Colcord had to dismount while Blondin had to charge the crowd on the brink to prevent the press of people forcing them back in the precipice.
He died in England at the age of 73.
http://thegoat.backcountry.com/2009/05/26/dean-potter-solo-highlining-at-yosemite/
No tether http://lockerz.com/d/14668070
nor clothes.
I think you'd have a better chance surviving the initial fall into Niagara vs Yosemite Valley, although you'd be likely to just drown afterwards.
No tether http://lockerz.com/d/14668070
nor clothes.
I think you'd have a better chance surviving the initial fall into Niagara vs Yosemite Valley, although you'd be likely to just drown afterwards.
This guy has a permit to walk a tightrope across the Grand Canyon. That will be higher and longer than Niagara. I wonder if he'll wear a harness.
I didn't mind the harness. I realize it adds more suspense and danger, but I don't need the arielist to have the potential to fall the ground to make it worthwhile.
What I found more cheesy was that he had to show his passport when he arrived into Canada. That seemed so PC. He already got special permission to do the stunt, so why not special permission to enter Canada? I miss the days when you didn't need a passport to enter Canada and it was almost like the 51st state.
I didn't mind the harness. I realize it adds more suspense and danger, but I don't need the arielist to have the potential to fall the ground to make it worthwhile.
What I found more cheesy was that he had to show his passport when he arrived into Canada. That seemed so PC. He already got special permission to do the stunt, so why not special permission to enter Canada? I miss the days when you didn't need a passport to enter Canada and it was almost like the 51st state.
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
What I found more cheesy was that he had to show his passport when he arrived into Canada. That seemed so PC. He already got special permission to do the stunt, so why not special permission to enter Canada? I miss the days when you didn't need a passport to enter Canada and it was almost like the 51st state.
I'm sure that was all staged. Its not that they didn't know he was coming...
What I found more cheesy was that he had to show his passport when he arrived into Canada. That seemed so PC. He already got special permission to do the stunt, so why not special permission to enter Canada? I miss the days when you didn't need a passport to enter Canada and it was almost like the 51st state.
I'm sure that was all staged. Its not that they didn't know he was coming...
Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
What I found more cheesy was that he had to show his passport when he arrived into Canada. That seemed so PC. He already got special permission to do the stunt, so why not special permission to enter Canada? I miss the days when you didn't need a passport to enter Canada and it was almost like the 51st state.
I'm sure that was all staged. Its not that they didn't know he was coming...
Yeah I'm sure it was staged. But that's my point, the decision to stage him having to show a passport was cheesy and PC.
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
What I found more cheesy was that he had to show his passport when he arrived into Canada. That seemed so PC. He already got special permission to do the stunt, so why not special permission to enter Canada? I miss the days when you didn't need a passport to enter Canada and it was almost like the 51st state.
I'm sure that was all staged. Its not that they didn't know he was coming...
Yeah I'm sure it was staged. But that's my point, the decision to stage him having to show a passport was cheesy and PC.
The announcers/reporters were so bad, I turned the sound off.
But not before Mr Wallenda made a huge slip of the tongue.
Referring to his unwanted safety belt, he said "I feel like a jack--- wearing this thing" then immediately changed it to "jack---".
OOPS!
But not before Mr Wallenda made a huge slip of the tongue.
Referring to his unwanted safety belt, he said "I feel like a jack--- wearing this thing" then immediately changed it to "jack---".
OOPS!
a guy just has to love that family.
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