I know it’s not his decision, but doesn’t this terribly “cheapen” the whole event? I would like to think the term “Daredevil” defines someone who “dares to face death” with acts that could result in one’s demise. I wouldn’t wish him to fall, but if his career is made by performing acts which defy death, then this seems like a waste of time. Why not just have him go across on one of those zip lines.
I’ll fuckin walk that wire with a harness.
Boss move would be to take it off while hes up there
Link to where it says he’s going to wear it?
http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/blog/33509/nik+wallenda+announces+date+for+niagara+falls+tightrope+walk/
says he wont be?
http://www.buffalonews.com/city/communities/niagara-falls/article866811.ece
coincedently another front page story:
http://www.buffalonews.com/city/communities/niagara-falls/article866811.ece
ALTIM?
Yeah, I think it’s lame if he has to use a tether.
Yeah I’m sure the sponsors who paid for this would like to see their name associated with a guy falling to his death.
Money talks.
Anyone could do this with a harness.
Do and attempt are different things…Any could walk three steps, fall off and be ok. Not many people can walk the entire line…strap or no strap.
Hey, if some guy can jump over the falls on purpose trying to kill himself and survive, how dangerous can the falls really be? Sounds like this is a fake daredevil stunt. Falls are no more than a glorified waterslide.
I feel really bad for him. It’s been his dream since he was a kid to do this without a tether. He changed laws in two different countries to make it happen, and some corporate douche decides it might be bad for PR if he dies and mandates a tether. Wallenda ends up stuck with no options because he just doesn’t have the funds to pull this off without the corporate backing. It would be nice if some corporate entity like RedBull stepped up and said “Hey ABC, take your money and your sissy harness and go fuck yourself. We’ll pay for this and let him do it any way he wants”. I don’t even like RedBull but I’d go buy a case if that happened.
+1 on getting up there and taking off the tether like a boss.
The TV networks are probably worried about some obscure lawsuit if he falls and traumatizes someone AMERICA FUCK YA
He was going to wear a harness from the beginning. The network wouldn’t have just changed the terms of the contract. It was just to drum up hype and publicity.
But what do I know about it?
They did make it clear that the sponsors want him to wear it so its probably out of his hands. As already said, sponsors probably don’t want to be associated with any death esp on public TV so they will take any precaution necessary, even if it means ruining the “stunt”.
Hell, I would do it with a wire on. The feat itself wouldn’t be that hard when you no longer have the looming thought of plummeting into water and rocks.
Essentially this is the lawyers at ABC…
He’s already stated that if it gets in his way during the walk he’s taking it off. My guess is he takes it off about 1/4-1/3 of the way out.
And I COMPLETELY agree that it’s lame with the strap. Wonder what they’re going to make any of the motorcycle/car jumpers do now, land in a pile of pillows and make sure the cars/bikes have the safety foam crap from Demolition Man.
Everyone saying that it’s “easy” with a tether… try a 30 foot tall, 30 foot long slackline with or without a tether I’m gonna bet you will shit your pants before even stepping foot on it… But I’ll set it up for ya. 
99% of you are fucking pussies, guaranteed.
Yeah, I’m definitely not saying it’s easy, but if the guy doing it has always dreamed of doing it without a tether it should be his choice. If you can’t handle the possibility of seeing him fall to his death, DON’T WATCH.
While a tether undoubtedly reduces the risk… It’s still an AMAZING FUCKING FEAT to walk across Niagara Falls on a fucking rope. You guys have seen to many movies… (jay, this isn’t directed at you)
I just think dare devil = risking death. A tether all but eliminates the chances of death. (Injury is another matter.)
OSHA will probably fine him $10000 if he has no harness.