Grand Canyon Skywalk opens deep divide

[Quixote1818]

Arizona's Hualapai Tribe hopes to draw more visitors with a controversial structure that will jut over the crevasse.
By Julie Cart, Times Staff Writer
February 11, 2007

GRAND CANYON WEST, ARIZ. — Perched over the Grand Canyon close to a mile above the Colorado River, a massive, multimillion-dollar glass walkway will soon open for business as the centerpiece of a struggling Indian tribe's plan to lure tourists to its remote reservation.

An engineering marvel or a colossal eyesore, depending on who is describing it, the horseshoe-shaped glass walkway will jut out 70 feet beyond the canyon's edge on the Hualapai Indian Reservation just west of Grand Canyon Village. Buttressed by 1 million pounds of steel and supporting 90 tons of tempered glass, the see-through deck will give visitors a breathtaking view of the canyon.

When the cantilevered structure opens to the public next month, it will be the most conspicuous commercial edifice in the canyon. And, if the tribe's plans come to fruition, the Skywalk will be the catalyst for a 9,000-acre development, known as Grand Canyon West, that will open up a long-inaccessible 100-mile stretch of countryside along the canyon's South Rim. The cost of the Skywalk alone will exceed $40 million, tribal officials say.

"Skywalk is the 'wow' that will draw people," said Steve Beattie, the chief financial officer for Grand Canyon Resort Corp., the tribe's business arm. Construction on an attached 6,000-square-foot visitors center and restaurant is to begin after the walkway opens. The Skywalk will charge an admission fee of $25, Beattie said, adding that some of the financing will come from a private-sector partner.


More: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-skywalk11feb11,0,6802248.story?coll=la-home-headlines

[Botany]

1. Hmmmmm?

$25.00 to get out $5,000 to get back in. :rofl:

[BlackVelvet04]

7. LOL........

they stole the idea. ;-)

I won't be walking out on it. I would pass out.

[Cleita]

12. Me too. I got vertigo walking out on one of the promonitories

that jutted out.

[Richard D]

17. I got vertigo . . .

. . . just looking at the picture.

[girl gone mad]

13. Me, three.

I have a hard time looking down from the fourth floor at the Dallas Galleria.

[shadowknows69]

11. That was about my first thought

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK That.

[Bonobo]

2. Those tribes have no right to exploit the beauty of this land for profit!

Only WE have the right to do that!

[Olney Blue]

3. See through deck? That is one thing I won't be going on.

I almost fainted in the Toronto tower with the see-through floors!


Actually, I think its quite pretty- hope it works out.

[MonkeyFunk]

25. Heheh

I went to the CN tower years ago with a friend. I loved walking on the glass floorway, but she was absolutely petrified. She eventually did walk on it, but she clung to me like a freeper on a cheap beer.

[Olney Blue]

28. "freeper on a cheap beer"

:rofl:

[Quixote1818]

4. I use to work at the Grand Canyon and hiked to Havasupi Falls once

This is a part of the Canyon I have never seen and would be very interested in exploring. Very remote! I have got to check this place out!

[Bobbieo]

5. Not with my acrophobia!!! I had to get on my belly to look

over the canyon and that was years ago. I felt like an idiot but that was the only way I could do it with my kids holding on to my feet. Acrophobia - Such a weird sensation. You want to just lean over and fall forward.

[Stephanie]

8. that's right.

You feel like you might just suddenly hurl yourself over the edge.

[Bobbieo]

10. Wonder how many people have died from acrophobia and the death

was termed a suicide.

[crispini]

21. Dang! That's me!

I never knew! Yes, I dislike intensely being anywhere near the edge of a high place because I have a very strong urge to jump off. I am totally not suicidal and would not like to die, either! I have often wondered if I should try skydiving just because, well, I'd sure as shooting get to jump off! :rofl:

[Change has come]

24. LOL

I've literally hurled myself out of a chair while watching TV. :blush: I was watching a program that showed an airplane flying close to the ground then suddenly going over the edge of the canyon. Just the mental image has me leaning back in my chair. :rofl:

[shanti]

15. heh

when i went, i remember having a death grip on the fence, while i peered over. all my family laughed at me - buess i won't be checking this "attraction" out!

[dysfunctional press]

6. they have something kinda sorta like this at house on the rock in wisconsin...

the view isn't nearly as breathtaking, i would imagine, but is still a very weird feeling for those that have a problem with heights.





you can't see thru the floor, but the walls are glass and slope inward from the top- at the end is a glass viewport that lets you look straight down...this pic doesn't really do justice to that view, but here it is, looking down thru the viewing window:

[girl gone mad]

14. I have a book about House on the Rock.

I always wondered where it was. Believe it or not, they neglect to mention that anywhere in the book.

[Skidmore]

29. Oh, that is one fascinating place to visit!

We've been there 4 times. It always changes. There are some amazing collections there and there is a fascinating story behind its existence. We love House on the Rocks!

[dysfunctional press]

31. it's in a very beautiful area of southern central wisconsin...

Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin complex is also nearby, and governor dodge state park.

[MazeRat7]

9. Why do I think that one is going to be on Discovery Channels "Engineering Disasters" ? -nt

[seabeyond]

16. that is horrible. i was getting queasy just looking at the picture.

i am so bad with heights i cant stand on a chair. cant take kids to the canyon cause i cant handle them walking to the edge. wow... to anyone that can stand on that

[NuttyFluffers]

18. i'd totally love to roll out my sleeping bag and sleep there under the stars...

in fact, i'd love to just do somersaults all along the walkway. just the experience of rolling and seeing no ground to support you, it'd be like a dream! but then, i have no fear of heights. i always got in trouble because i loved hanging out near high ledges.

[Quixote1818]

20. Your post reads like a children's picture book

Ever think about writing one?

[Horse with no Name]

19. ummm okay

I think I will pass on this one.

[Decruiter]

22. It seems incredibly sad violation of nature.

"...Steve Beattie, the CFO for Grand Canyon Resort Group, the tribe's business arm."

I wonder how well Steve might know Jack A.?

I'd like to hear more from some other representatives of the "tribe" on this money maker.

[WinkyDink]

23. People are nuts. That is all.

[onethatcares]

26. hmmmm, I wonder what they'll charge

for one of the mcMansions along the 100 mile stretch of the south rim. Now that's a great use of nature.

My next thought, is the top enclosed or is someone gonna commit a very nasty suicide off it?

[Bluebear]

27. You guys enjoy yourself, I will be waiting at the exit,

NO WAY in HELL!

[marions ghost]

30. the worst thing about it

is the 9,000 acre development on the south rim of the canyon.

Nothing is sacred anymore.

[bridgit]

32. i'd walk out there, but not for 25 bucks admission...

x(