3-Nov-14 – He was disappointed that he did not get to take a photo “selfie” mid-way across but professional daredevil Nik Wallenda successfully crossed the Chicago River by high-wire on Sunday. Wallenda needed just six minutes and 51 seconds to get from the top of Marina City’s west tower to the roof of Leo Burnett Building.

The second part of his stunt, walking blindfolded from Marina City’s west tower to its east tower, went quickly, as well, and without incident. The event was broadcast live on Discovery Channel to 220 countries.

Wind was an issue.

“There were some strong winds that hit me in the face,” said Wallenda. “I try to lean in as I’m walking uphill and it stood me up straight.”

Meteorologist Jim Cantore had told Wallenda, off air, that as he got closer to Leo Burnett Building, the wind would get worse.

“After hearing that, I thought, I’m just going to get my butt up to that other building safely and get on to the blindfold [walk].”

As helicopters circled above, Wallenda made his first appearance at 6:05 p.m. He walked a short distance on the wire and then walked back.

An estimated 50-65,000 people saw the event live. They filled Wacker Drive between State Street east to Wabash Avenue and from Dearborn Street west to Clark Street. They were on Lake Street, State Street south of Wacker, AMA Plaza, and the southeast corner of Marina City’s plaza.

Eerily empty were the State Street and Dearborn Street bridges, and the Chicago River was vacant except for police and fireboats.

The event brought residents and guests of Marina City to their balconies. Many balconies reached their limit, requested by the building’s property manager, of eight people. At 7:30 p.m., about a half-hour later than expected, Wallenda stepped off Marina City’s mechanical penthouse, walked three stories off the west tower observation deck, and was then 588 feet above the Chicago River. “Ok, Chi-town, let’s do this, baby,” he said as he started the stunt. “You guys rock.” (Left) Seen from Wacker Drive below, Wallenda departs Marina City on his way to Leo Burnett Building. Photo by Steven Dahlman.

First walk steeper than expected

Wallenda was expecting – and had trained for – a 15-degree uphill walk but the incline turned out to be 19 degrees. He found that out late Sunday afternoon. Speaking to reporters after the event, he offered no explanation for the discrepancy.

Safely on Leo Burnett Building, Wallenda savored the moment briefly, then took an elevator down to Wacker Drive, walked north on the Dearborn Street Bridge, and went back to Marina City’s west tower observation deck. The second walk started at 8 p.m. and was over in one minute and 17 seconds. To Wallenda, it seemed like three seconds.

Blindfolded, the Florida native was dependent on an audio beacon and his father counting his steps over a megaphone and telling him when to step over clips on the wire every 15 feet that were attached to stabilizing wires below. Although it was a much shorter walk, Wallenda says it was more stressful.

“That blindfold walk, there’s something about it that just messes with your mind.”

Balconies 100 feet away became a gallery for Wallenda. He asked the crowd to be quiet so he could hear the audio beacon but otherwise did not mind them being so close.

“I love entertaining, I love performing for people, so to have people right there just makes it more fun, more exciting.”

(Above) Wallenda acknowledges cheers from people on balconies on the west tower of Marina City in this frame from Discovery Channel video.

Wallenda made light of it after the walk, coming into a news conference at the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel wearing a blindfold, led by a Discovery Channel publicist, and pretending to stumble.

He says the most frightening part of the stunt was just before he stepped onto the wire.

“If you stand on top of Marina City West and look up at that cable, it’s dog-gone intimidating,” he confessed. “Way more intimidating than being on top and looking down. That cable looked like it was going straight up.”

Because of the way it was stabilized, the wire was “moving a little funky,” said Wallenda.

“The wire was dancing a little bit and I was really worried that it was going to build up a rhythm.”

Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Wallenda’s accomplishment “speaks to the true spirit of Chicago.”

“The City of Chicago is where the modern skyscraper was born, so it is only fitting that Nik Wallenda chose our city’s iconic skyline for his greatest high-wire walk yet,” said Emanuel in a statement. “On behalf of the City of Big Shoulders, well-done, Nik.”

Wallenda now has two new world records – the highest incline tightrope walk, 670.73 feet, and the highest blindfolded tightrope walk, 557.89 feet.

His plans were to celebrate with his family on Sunday night. Wallenda is in Chicago on Monday. He will then travel to New York and be back in his hometown of Sarasota, Florida, on Thursday.

(Right) Wallenda obliges reporters who asked him to put the blindfold back on.

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