Niagara Falls! Slowly I turned!

[dhermann1]

So I watched Nick Wallenda do his thing over Niagara Falls. Not takng anything away from the man, I mean he was actually over the precipice of the falls, etc. etc.
But really, this would have been a practice run for the great Blondin, in 1859.

http://www.reservationsystems.com/niagara_daredevils/jean_francois_gravelet.html

Just about every day, for two full summers, with a hemp rope that hung 30 feet lower than Wallenda's, and NO SAFETY LINE! Amazing!

 

[C-dot]

But really, this would have been a practice run for the great Blondin, in 1859.

Thank you!! I couldn't bear it when the ABC people kept repeating, over and over, how Wallenda was the first person in the world to ever attempt this - It simply isn't true! Blondin even did it once with a man on his back! There is a great sculpture suspended over Lundy's Lane commemorating him.

 

[Feraud]

Leave it to the media to mis-inform..

 

[dhermann1]

Well, I guess they can say that Blondin was a few hundred feet further down the river, directly over the whirlpool, when he did his thing. But still, no safety net, HUNDREDS of crossings. Gimme a break.

 

[C-dot]

Well, I guess they can say that Blondin was a few hundred feet further down the river, directly over the whirlpool, when he did his thing. But still, no safety net, HUNDREDS of crossings. Gimme a break.

And no NASA designed tightrope... Or interviews during the walk... Or two hour "build-up"... Sponsorships... etc.

 

[Undertow]

Current society (media included) can't remember well past two weeks. I'm surprised they even knew what the place was called.

 

[Gingerella72]

I didn't know this, thanks for sharing!

I watched it too, didn't he not want to wear the safety line but was sorta forced into it by the producers?