Grand Canyon glass Skywalk opens

[TopGearNL]

The Grand Canyon's Skywalk has been inaugurated with hundreds of invited guests getting stunning views over the canyon through its glass walkway. Rising 4,000ft (1,220m) from the canyon's floor and 70ft (20m) beyond its rim, the Skywalk is being described as an engineering first. The Hualapai Indians, who own the site, are hoping to attract visitors to a high unemployment area. But some tribal members say this is a desecration of sacred ground. Former astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin was among the first to go onto the walkway to join Hualapai leaders for a brief ceremony.

How the Skywalk measures up to other constructions "I felt wonderful, not exactly floating on air ... but a vision of hope for the future," he said afterwards, quoted by Reuters news agency. The BBC's Andy Gallacher, who also went on the Skywalk, says the glass beneath his feet was so clear it was like walking on a cloud. Illustration of the finished Skywalk Aerial views Sightseers gathered on the edge of the gorge to watch the ceremony. "It's going to go down in the history books but I'm not sure I will walk out on it," said Joan Stewart, a bookmaker from Las Vegas. Construction of the Skywalk began in March 2004 - and will open to the public on 28 March with 120 people allowed on the platform at any one time. Visitors will have to pay $25 (around £13) to use the gangway, on top of the fee for entering the national park. The bridge will be able to sustain winds in excess of 100mph (161km/h), as well as an 8.0-magnitude earthquake within 50 miles (80.5km). Las Vegas businessman David Jin raised the money to build the Skywalk which was given to the Hualapai in exchange for a percentage of the profits. "When we have so much poverty and so much unemployment, we have to do something," Sheri Yellowhawk, told the Associated Press news agency. "It sounded like a good idea." Our correspondent says that, for the majority, this is an investment that will bring much needed cash. But some members of the Hualapai tribe have voiced concerns that the project will disturb sacred lands. "When that Skywalk came about it hit me like I was being stabbed," said Dolores Honga, a tribal elder.

Vids
:arrow: http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/c...bbram=1&bbwm=1
:arrow: http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/periphera...alk-245862.php

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think its very cool!

Would want to go there ASAP!!

[Stoopie]

Yeah I heard about this too this morning, it looks fantastic Only $25 is a lot of money for such a short walk

[dutchmasterflex]

:shock: Must be one hell of a feeling to walk off that ledge.

When I was younger I went up to the top of the World Trade Center where the resturant, Windows of The World was located. In the lobby they towards the edge of the building was glass so you could look straight down.. I remember having a hard time getting myself to walk to it, but it was definitely worth it.

[stmoritzer]

some pics
and a
video included in this german article
http://www.bild.t-online.de/BTO/news...plattform.html

looks cool 8)

[dutchmasterflex]

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/periphera...alk-245862.php

Another vid and more pics..

Nice to see that the money goes to the Natives..

[Stoopie]

I still find it funny that those native Americans are actually called Yellowhawk for example

And what would Luke (Skywalker) think of this?

And another thing, I just Googled the Skywalk and read some of the opinions about this thing. One of the reactions at a forum:

# Flamin Eddy Says: January 14th, 2006 at 1:33 pm This will never happen. Al the hype says that the Grand Canyon walk will be opened January 2006, it hasnt begun construction yet! Everyone got so amped up over an “artists rendition” The only place you will ever see anything like that is in your dreams, it is too costly to make, no contractors will touch the idea of constucting it, no one will insure it and the cost of admission is set so high that they will never be able to recoup costs.

Boy was he wrong!

[sameerrao]

I would be shitting bricks if I stepped on the glass bit

[TopGearNL]

I have a fear of heights, but this would be one awesome way to challenge them!

[TopGearNL]

^^ But now its official, this is about the opening so not really a stan

[666fast]

I still find it funny that those native Americans are actually called Yellowhawk for example

Why is that funny?

I'd go out for a walk on it, but no way in hell would I pay $25 to do it! Unless, on my way there I hit it big in Vegas.

[Pokiou]

I saw this on tv yesterday .. man looks like so much fun. If any1 goes.. take some pictures.

[silentm]

this is really cool! i saw a documentary on the TV about it and aparently the glass is 6 layers thick and is manufactured in germany 8)

i would love to walk on that thing. i love the feeling when you are on something really really high and you look down, the sinking feeling in your stomach is just great

[TopGearNL]

manufactured in germany

Best quality!

[silentm]

^^ of course you can expect no less than that