Daredevil Nik Wallenda Crosses the Grand Canyon

He did it! Nik Wallenda successfully walked a high wire over the Grand Canyon with no safety equipment on live TV. INSIDE EDITION has the details.

Daredevil Nik Wallenda survived his most audacious stunt yet, crossing the Grand Canyon Sunday night on a two inch wide wire.

The 34-year-old high-wire performer finished his stunt in style, then kissed the ground.


The heart pounding spectacle was televised live on the Discovery Channel Sunday night. Wallenda wore no safety equipment and, at times, he battled unexpectedly high 30 mph winds. 

Wallenda wore a microphone and prayed aloud throughout the 22 minute, 1,500-foot walk. The high wire act took place over the Little Colorado Gorge, land owned by the Navajo Indians. The National Park Service refused to give Wallenda permission to cross any part of the actual Grand Canyon.

The stunt was incredibly dangerous. In 1978, his great grandfather, Karl Wallenda, was killed after he fell from a wire between two hotels in Puerto Rico.

So, how do you top walking across the Grand Canyon? Last year, he crossed Niagara Falls. Next stop: New York City. Wallenda is trying to get permission to walk from the Empire State Building to the Chrysler Building, a distance of 4,000 feet, more than double last night's stunt.