Daredevil tightrope walker Nik Wallenda went high above the streets of Chicago on Sunday evening and set two world records in the process.
Wallenda, who became the first person to cross the Grand Canyon on a high wire in June 2013, followed up his act with two daring walks between Chicago buildings.
The first walk he took was at a 15 degree incline, the steepest walk he has ever attempted. The walk was the two city blocks (454 feet) between Marina City’s 534-foot-tall West Tower and the Leo Burnett Building, which stands at 635 feet tall.
His second walk was between the Marina City East and West towers. It was a shorter walk, only 94 feet, but he completed the walk blindfolded.
Wallenda completed both walks on steel wires about three-quarters of an inch thick and also had to face 15-mph winds as he made his way across the sky, the ultimate test of balance and stability, not to mention mental toughness.
“It’s about challenging myself,” Wallenda told the “Today Show” prior to his feat, via NBCLosAngeles.com. “And hopefully through challenging myself, inspiring other people to challenge themselves.”
Thumbnail image via Twitter/@AngelMjrz
