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The Grand Canyon Skyway

Written by Alan Bellows on 22 December 2006

We hope you don’t mind a few more classics than usual over the holidays. This one was originally published on 07 March 2006.

SkywayWhen standing at the rail of the observation deck of the Sears Tower– one of the tallest buildings in the world– many visitors experience some degree of vertigo at the brink of the sheer, 1,353 foot drop-off. This is a natural response as the body’s self-defense system reminds its owner of the dangers of gravity. If you’re not fond of heights, a new construction project underway in Arizona will probably cause that self-defense mechanism to chew its way out of your body and flee for safety. It’s called the Grand Canyon Skyway, and it dabbles in altitudes which dwarf that of the Sears Tower.

The horseshoe-shaped walkway, scheduled to open later this year, will jut out seventy feet off the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, suspending its occupants about 4,000 feet above the ground (about thrice the height of the Sears Tower) as they stand on a glass floor, looking down. The walkway’s walls will be comprised of the same four-inch-thick glass as the floor, which will leave the spectacular view relatively unobstructed, even for those people who opt to remain on all fours.

The concept was born in the brain of David Jin in 1996, and is now being overseen by the Hualapai Indians who have a reservation along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Once complete, the Skyway will be reinforced by over a million pounds of 2.5-inch-thick steel beams which should allow it to support seventy-two million pounds of weight, survive an 8.0 magnitude earthquake fifty miles away, and withstand winds in excess of 100 miles per hour. Its design also calls for dampers to minimize the structure’s vibration, which will allow the walkway to comfortably support up to one hundred and twenty people at once.

Grand Canyon SkywayUpon opening, $25 will buy tourists a stroll (or crawl) on the Skyway which will provide a unique new perspective on the Grand Canyon. Park officials are anticipating that this unique new feature will double the current number of visitors to the park. Alongside the Skyway will be an Indian Village, a Western-themed town, and an underground restaurant with canyon views and rooftop dining.

At 4,000 feet above the Colorado River, the view of the Grand Canyon from the walkway promises to be nothing short of astonishing. Consider that if one fell from such a height, one would have about twenty-five seconds– about a half minute– to enjoy the Grand Canyon’s incredible scenery before impact.

When the Skyway project began, its planners originally hoped that it would open by January 1, 2006. Since then, it has been delayed by “unique engineering challenges,” as well as trouble finding an insurance company willing to insure the structure without getting twitchy. Currently the opening date is slated for March 2007.

Further reading:
MRJ Architect’s page on the Skyway
Arizona Star article on the Skyway

Alan Bellows is the founder, designer, and managing editor of DamnInteresting.com, and he is perpetually behind schedule.
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#1 Clay 08 March 2006 at 02:30 am

“underground restaurant with canyon views and rooftop dining”

If it’s underground… how does it have a roof?


#2 Sherwin 08 March 2006 at 02:53 am

Just reading about that made my body want to flee for safety and that picture of the glass horseshoe…holy CRAP them walls better be high…REAL HIGH


#3 Berkana 08 March 2006 at 03:14 am

What would be even cooler is if they had an outhouse suspended over the canyon. . . keep the walls opaque, but the floor transparent. Have a trashcan for all paper waste to keep the environment free of unnatural waste, but it sure would be fun to watch your poop fall 4,000 feet when you “flush” the thing and let it drop.

I know the environmentalists would hate it, but then, animals take dumps out in the wild too. And after falling for 4000 feet, the dung would practically be disintegrated, if not by the wind, then upon impact. Just hope nobody’s down there.


#4 Stuart 08 March 2006 at 04:26 am

Berkana thats the best idea i’ve ever heard. And people would quickly learn to avoid wandering underneath the skyway. Or they could start renting protective clothing at the bottom of the canyon. Although not sure I could perform if hundreds of people were watchin the result.


#5 Furnace 08 March 2006 at 04:52 am

$25? Thanks, but I’ll stick to just standing at the edge and leaning over the railing for free.


#6 megzee 08 March 2006 at 07:05 am

Wow, ok…Just looking at the picture looking at the horseshoe from above, my heart sped up and I got a little dizzy. I literally have nightmares about heights, and I’m sure my dreams will be extra fun tonight. I think I’ll not look at those pictures again…


#7 Joshua 08 March 2006 at 08:54 am

I just wonder what will become of this thing if somebody does something really, really stupid there. (The infamous shooting spree, and subsequent suicide jumps, at the University of Texas tower come to mind. So does Michael Jackson dangling his baby off a balcony a few years ago.)


#8 student 08 March 2006 at 09:16 am

I share megzee’s reaction — I always wondered why planes don’t bother me at all, but the artist’s rendering here is actually painful for me to look at.


#9 indra c 08 March 2006 at 09:18 am

student said: “I share megzee’s reaction — I always wondered why planes don’t bother me at all, but the artist’s rendering here is actually painful for me to look at.”

To the best of my knowledge, planes don’t bother you at all because you are not in contact with the ground.


#10 Dave 08 March 2006 at 10:07 am

unique engineering challenges

That’s a bit of an understatement, isn’t it? Not only do they have to find a way to make such a structure support its own weight, and the weight of all of the people who may be on it (which isn’t that big of a problem, since any fool can do that by throwing enough steel at the problem), but they also have to find a way to dampen any oscillations that might occur. For some reason, I have visions of the Tacoma Narrows bridge (also remembered as “galloping gertie”) running through my mind. Just imagine, a crowded loop and the wind starts blowing, causing it to start bouncing up and down violently, tossing people off. Wheee! Or, imagine when a bunch of drunk college students show up and start jumping up and down to see if they can make the thing bounce. And, we won’t even consider what might happen if a terrorist goes out there with a glass cutter and a hammer. “Unique engineering challenges”? Definitely!

Dave


#11 jmchez 08 March 2006 at 10:38 am

Silly people. Don’t you know that falling off the edge of a canyon in the southwest is harmless? Oh, wait. That’s only if you are a coyote with a taste for road runners.


#12 Armani 08 March 2006 at 12:43 pm

lol the poop idea would leave the grand canyon with splatters all over the side. How about an updraft?


#13 Psyanide 08 March 2006 at 01:21 pm

Splendid, I get to enjoy Grand Canyon’s incredible scenery while falling to my death.


#14 davedaurelle 08 March 2006 at 03:45 pm

Berkana:

Updrafts are a problem. There used to be an outhouse on a ridge in Banff Provincial Park that just hung out over nothing. It wasn’t unusual to get whapped by flying shit when an updraft hit just as you crapped.


#15 Matter 08 March 2006 at 03:52 pm

I doubt the floor will be transparent for long. Someone’s bound to leave what-used-to-be restaurant food all over the floor in the form of puke and barf. Might even get to see some brown skidmarks against the walls too…


#16 lahuard 08 March 2006 at 04:57 pm

The walkway’s walls will be comprised of the same four-inch-thick glass as the floor.

4 inches of glass. Should I trust 4 inches with my life? Not that it isnt solid, but it just isn’t something one should flaunt when talking about these clear floors.


#17 MeasureMan 08 March 2006 at 05:37 pm

My wife and I had dinner once at the CN Tower in Toronto. They gave us a table by the windows, one window was by our legs at the floor level. We both sat at the edge of the table, as far from the window that we could get.


#18 Chris 08 March 2006 at 06:29 pm

Hmmm. The next thing they’ll probably do is add a bunge cord and charge for that long “almost 52 second” drop experience……..


#19 bomber991 08 March 2006 at 07:52 pm

Yep, this thing is awesome. I remember reading about this a year or two ago, looks like I’ll be going there this year once it’s built.


#20 Prince 08 March 2006 at 09:06 pm

Furnace is poor


#21 Arcangel 09 March 2006 at 02:39 am

Talk about scaring the crap out of you. Sorry but I have to change chairs now…………….


#22 klone 09 March 2006 at 11:05 am

i saw this a few months back, and some buddies and i are planning to go there once it opens, every time i think about it i get light headed


#23 vranghel 09 March 2006 at 11:39 am

“… as well as trouble finding an insurance company willing to insure the structure without getting twitchy.”

What? Can’t they make it safe so the insurance companies dont get twitchy? Hmm….


#24 The End 09 March 2006 at 01:52 pm

Some of the comments here are hilarious… =D

They’d better make those barriers mighty high, I can see people collapsing quite a lot due to shock. :/


#25 mudpuppy555 09 March 2006 at 09:32 pm

Heights make me want to jump; call me crazy. Someone will try walking the railing, probably a college student. Great place to sell paper airplanes. Or hit a golf ball from.


#26 myname 10 March 2006 at 10:47 pm

Psyanide said: “Splendid, I get to enjoy Grand Canyon’s incredible scenery while falling to my death.”

Youd pass out LONG b4 you hit the river.

That said, I cant wait till august, this is going to be amazing.


#27 ricebandit 11 March 2006 at 05:12 pm

My immediate thoughts (about 2 seconds) after seeing the headline of this article: “SCREW THAT!” lol


#28 another viewpoint 13 March 2006 at 11:23 am

Wanted: One (1) updraft style, Grand Canyon outhouse, for delivery to 400 N. Capital in Washington, DC.


#29 God of Biscuits 13 March 2006 at 04:52 pm

Wrong. You’re all wrong. This “Grand Canyon” as you all like to call it is nothing more than a massive government cover-up of hidden missile silos. The government uses Hollywood greenscreens to produce the fantastic “view” of the “Grand Canyon.” Open yours eyes, for the love of your children, and your childrens’ children, open your eyes.


#30 cocoabongo 14 March 2006 at 03:52 pm

God of Biscuits proves a very good point. I’ve seen these green screens and I must say that thses facts are necessary to provide the general public with the information necessary to make up their own minds about this cover up that originated with John Wesley Powell calling it the “Grand Canyon” in 1872.


#31 God of Biscuits 14 March 2006 at 03:56 pm

I couldn’t have said it better myself, Cocoabongo. What the public needs to realize is that we are all mere pawns in this puppet regime being led by none other than the porn-addicted Satan Bill Clinton. And, as 50 Cent put it best, “This is chess not checkers. These are warning shots.” We could all use a little wake-up call so that we may raise our voices to the fever pitch of freedom for all mankind. Thank you for the intensely interesting comment, Cocoabongo.


#32 another viewpoint 14 March 2006 at 09:08 pm

Shoot…Mr. Bill was only one of a few that got caught. There were others…MANY others…that couldn’t keep their wangs behind their zipper. Better they should do it to someone on a personal level in the oval office than be doing it to the entire nation, ala GW. We’ll be paying for his screwups for years to come (no pun intended). And if you’re looking for another bunch of ruthless bastards, look no further than the CEO’s of most major Fortune 500 corps.

As for the Grand Canyon, if you really want to see it, get on a raft and go do some white water riding. There aren’t too many persons that have seen it from that perspective since annual seating is limited.


#33 cocoabongo 15 March 2006 at 11:05 pm

another viewpoint said: “Shoot…Mr. Bill was only one of a few that got caught. There were others…MANY others…that couldn’t keep their wangs behind their zipper. Better they should do it to someone on a personal level in the oval office than be doing it to the entire nation, ala GW. We’ll be paying for his screwups for years to come (no pun intended). And if you’re looking for another bunch of ruthless bastards, look no further than the CEO’s of most major Fortune 500 corps.

As for the Grand Canyon, if you really want to see it, get on a raft and go do some white water riding. There aren’t too many persons that have seen it from that perspective since annual seating is limited.”

Your are truly deranged ‘another viewpoint.’ I cannot believe you would speak of such atrocities that our beloved president William Clinton committed. He wasn’t even convicted of these unspeakable acts that you speak of, yet you continue to slander his good name


#34 rp2 21 March 2006 at 12:27 pm

Damn Interesting has an interesting supply of damn stupid people posting comments…


#35 Elle it is k 19 April 2006 at 06:34 am

God of Biscuits said: “Wrong. You’re all wrong. This “Grand Canyon” as you all like to call it is nothing more than a massive government cover-up of hidden missile silos. The government uses Hollywood greenscreens to produce the fantastic “view” of the “Grand Canyon.” Open yours eyes, for the love of your children, and your childrens’ children, open your eyes.”

I think Malcom X here needs to chill.It’s about a bridge..not all the stuff you’re going on about…

and btw..this bridge is a stupid idea.


#36 mart 06 May 2006 at 12:03 am

It looks like a bridge to the other side, but the builders halfway way thought: “bugger that, let’s go back”


#37 Blobbster 08 May 2006 at 10:02 pm

actually, they should have a bridge to the other side. better yet, zipline and they give you coat hangars to try and see first person to get to the other side without vomiting or dying

they would be fun…. imagine zipping down a liitle wire on a plastic coat hangar with a 4000 feet drop….heheheh…


#38 maulrat1967 31 May 2006 at 03:20 am

Elle it is k said: “I think Malcom X here needs to chill.It’s about a bridge..not all the stuff you’re going on about…

and btw..this bridge is a stupid idea.”

I think someone missed a couple classes of sarcasm 101


#39 pagan orchid 03 June 2006 at 12:44 pm

i reckon its a good business idea to be the seller of elastoplast, and ointment at the other side if its made into a bridge, since i bet most people would be crossing it on hands and knees. oh and if you had a good supply of valium that would be a bonus!


#40 SneezeWhiz 17 August 2006 at 03:10 pm

In the World Trade Center in 1975 you could go up to the 108th or 109th floor in one of the towers and they had silhouettes with labels painted in white on the windows that you could line up with the scenery and tell what you were looking at. You could also step right up to the glass, which ran from floor to ceiling, and press yourself against it. It didn’t bother me, but I have vertigo.


#41 bluebell 09 September 2006 at 02:07 pm

Anyone know if this has opened yet? I am visiting later this month. Notn sure I am brave enough to go on it but would like to see it.


#42 fvngvs 23 December 2006 at 12:22 am

I can’t say that I’m entirely sure that it’s going to get a huge amount of trade, but think about it folks…
Think about the kind of people who *do* go for a stroll around this bridge. They are going to be right frightening!

My prediction is that before a year is out:

(a) there have been two suicides,
(b) there’s a bungee jump (run by the hotel) and;
(c) there’s been at least ten illegal (but very happy) BASE jumpers go off that bridge.

Er … one of the BASE jumpers may have been me of course …


#43 ItsMrPants 23 December 2006 at 01:25 am

My first post ever!

Anyways, I wouldn’t go on that unless I was wearing some sort of backup parachute. I would be too scared to enjoy the view.


#44 honglien123 23 December 2006 at 02:59 am

Barf Bags. I hope the $25 includes a few.


#45 naser 23 December 2006 at 08:54 am

Holy jumping jackwagon, Batman! I know I’ll be on all four if I can ever visit the Grand Canyons…because..Umm.. I kinda live like, 8000 miles far apart from that place :)


#46 just_dave 23 December 2006 at 09:31 am

Way to bring back the goldies, Alan! This was the article that first introduced me to DI. (sigh)

Anybody have a Google Maps or Earth link for the site of this thing? First one to post it wins!*

* there’s no prize or anything; you just win. It’s like getting the first comment.


#47 King-of-nothing 23 December 2006 at 03:00 pm

I’d love to have the Depends concession at the gift store, I tell you what.


#48 davidw987 23 December 2006 at 03:02 pm

Looks like the updated opening is March 28, 2007. Here’s the press release on their official site: http://www.destinationgrandcanyon.com/dec06release.html

David


#49 misanthrope7 23 December 2006 at 03:10 pm

There’s a rough map here – http://www.snopes.com/photos/architecture/skywalk.asp – which means it’s somewhere on this map page here: http://shortlink.co.uk/hya. Closer than that I have no clue, let me know when you find it ;)


#50 davidw987 23 December 2006 at 03:15 pm

Near as I can tell by browsing between the map on the tribal web site and the images on Google Earth, I think it is here: 36° 1′57.99″N by 113°49′32.02″W. Plug the coordinates into Google Earth and check it out. Looks like the image is from early in the construction phase. The parking area is paved, but there is only a dirt road to the edge where some sort of foundation has been started.

David


#51 los_jerks 23 December 2006 at 04:01 pm

hello all. been reading happily for months and this is my first post. i’ll keep it brief.

any thoughts on the magnifying effect of the sunlight through the glass on tiny unsuspecting, ant-like people down below? makes me laugh like a kid!


#52 Tink 23 December 2006 at 07:57 pm

Alan, Even with your great discription, I can not imagine how this could be stationary and safe. DI! and Damned scary. Thanks again!

King-of-nothing said: “I’d love to have the Depends concession at the gift store, I tell you what.”

LMAOROTF!

Berkana said: “What would be even cooler is if they had an outhouse suspended over the canyon. . . keep the walls opaque, but the floor transparent. Have a trashcan for all paper waste to keep the environment free of unnatural waste, but it sure would be fun to watch your poop fall 4,000 feet when you “flush” the thing and let it drop.

I know the environmentalists would hate it, but then, animals take dumps out in the wild too. And after falling for 4000 feet, the dung would practically be disintegrated, if not by the wind, then upon impact. Just hope nobody’s down there.”

LOL This is a “crappy” idea if I ever read one, LOL. (JK,its funny!)

pagan orchid said: “i reckon its a good business idea to be the seller of elastoplast, and ointment at the other side if its made into a bridge, since i bet most people would be crossing it on hands and knees. oh and if you had a good supply of valium that would be a bonus!”

Oh Yeah, I like this one!

ItsMrPants said: “My first post ever!

Anyways, I wouldn’t go on that unless I was wearing some sort of backup parachute. I would be too scared to enjoy the view.”

Me too. This is going to be an awsome place to visit, but like many of you fellow posters, I couldn’t handle it. Whew!
And Hi all you new folks! Best wishes happy holiday, blahblahblah….:)


#53 Dr. Evil 23 December 2006 at 09:51 pm

Are all americans afraid of heights?…i from Aus and i havent figured out wat i am scared of yet…probably americans :P


#54 middlenamefrank 23 December 2006 at 10:31 pm

I hate to be the engineer here….and no, it’s not about the structural difficulties. It’s clear they’ve got those well in hand.

‘Damping’ is about reducing or eliminating vibrations, oscillations, that sort of thing, generally by introducing lossy factors or features. Clearly that would be an important thing to achieve with an unsupported 70-foot cantilever.

‘Dampening’ is just about getting things wet.

Sorry Alan. :-)


#55 ti83 23 December 2006 at 11:26 pm

Dr. Evil said: “Are all americans afraid of heights?…i from Aus and i havent figured out wat i am scared of yet…probably americans :P”

Yeah? Well at least we spell out “America” and don’t just say something like, “Amer.” Suckers. I’m just kidding, of course. Though I’m not sure if Aus meant Australia or Austria.


#56 Alan Bellows 24 December 2006 at 03:29 am

middlenamefrank said: “‘Dampening’ is just about getting things wet.”

Doh… fixed.


#57 fatal retreat 24 December 2006 at 08:47 am

cool! i wanna go there!

someday…


#58 trillian 24 December 2006 at 11:20 am

It seems kinda shady to go installing massive structures on previously (relatively) untouched places. Part of the appeal of the Grand Canyon (to me at least) is that you can look onto a vast expanse of what-the-earth-is-actually-like-there. There isn’t all that much of that around anymore; drilling big holes, digging underground restaurants, and laying foundations doesn’t sound like a very respectful way to treat a gorgeous part of what’s left.

That said, it sounds really freaking cool.


#59 DarkCurrent 24 December 2006 at 01:59 pm

Dr. Evil said: “Are all americans afraid of heights?…i from Aus and i havent figured out wat i am scared of yet…probably americans :P”

Yeah they are, that’s why you only find Aus flags on the moon


#60 ti83 24 December 2006 at 05:11 pm

Oooh! Good one DarkCurrent–burn!


#61 Dr. Evil 24 December 2006 at 11:39 pm

ti83 said: “Yeah? Well at least we spell out “America” and don’t just say something like, “Amer.” Suckers. I’m just kidding, of course. Though I’m not sure if Aus meant Australia or Austria.”

Australia :D


#62 Dr. Evil 24 December 2006 at 11:40 pm

MERRY CHRISTMAS EARTH…I LOVE YOU ALL XOXO


#63 mooble 25 December 2006 at 12:06 am

I think Davidw987 might be off a bit. I think the location is 35°58′1.08″ N, 113°47′0.10″ W. Check me on that, though, please?


#64 Sandra Thurston 25 December 2006 at 10:05 pm

Hey, Alan

Just wanted to stop by to say hello and let you know (in case you haven’t had the time to figure out yourself) that you are AWESOME!!! Write a book and I’ll buy it! I sincerely hope you get everything you deserve for having a such brilliant mind and specially for all your incredible hard work. You rock! Keep it going…


#65 dterry 26 December 2006 at 05:24 am

Basejumpers all over the world have circled their calendars and booked their flights.

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeee!


#66 ksuwildcatfan 26 December 2006 at 08:43 pm

mooble said: “I think Davidw987 might be off a bit. I think the location is 35°58′1.08″ N, 113°47′0.10″ W. Check me on that, though, please?”

36° 1′58.43″N, 113°49′32.62″W is what I found for the location which actually means that Davidw987 is correct. It is at the end of Buck and Doe Rd.


#67 pah 27 December 2006 at 02:50 pm

Interestingly, the claim of “1,353 foot drop-off” for the Sears Towere doesn’t even work for this drop. The actual drop with the best views east and west, is no where near
vertical, and this apparent view back up canyon to the east (there the satellite shows disturbed ground) won’t really get you out straight over that much drop — it is ‘only’ 400-500 feet (150 m) to the first bounce with some impressive sheer drops continuing below. Note it will still scare the pants off many people; see

http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=36.02655&lon=-113.82717&s=48&size=l&u=6&datum=nad27&layer=DRG

BASE jumpers ought to just go to further along the same promontory where the canyon lip looks sharper at the top. Also consider the recovery operation, _if_ you survive.; because this part of the canyon is not very accessable. But you might consider a boat up the lake.

Note: the distance to the actual river is a lot farther than the Sears tower drop of 1350′; it is more like 3400′, but not 4000′ as mentioned in the article and not straight down despite the
artists rendering, so no one is going to “have about twenty-five seconds– about a half minute– to enjoy the Grand Canyon’s incredible scenery before impact”

Dad: “Look through these binoculars Junior, do you see that slide mark below the 3rd cliff with what looks like bones ? Those are human bones!”
Junior: “Oh, cool; I see it”
Dad: “That guy looks like he dropped over 1500′ only bouncing twice…”

Did someone say zip line? Actually, from this same point (look at the north end), there used to be a cable running across the river. It was used to haul bat guano from the cave on the north side. The cave would make a nice Damn Interesting article:
see,
http://www.meadview.info/batcave.htm


#68 ConcernedCitizen 27 December 2006 at 08:38 pm

@pah: It’s still thousands of feet and half a minute’s fall, even if you bounce a couple times on the way down. In fact, if anything, the decelleration would make the fall take even longer. Though, admittedly, it is doubtful someone would continue to “enjoy the scenery” after the first bounce. But that was obviosly a facetious comment.


#69 Aero 28 December 2006 at 10:58 pm

Is it just me or can you see celebrities coming to the grand opening and embarassing themselves?

Crawling on their hands and knees and barfing… lol that would be funny to see on tv… No making fun of them, I probaly would crawl on my hands and knees too.

And I agree that they should equip parachutes with a 20 second crash course, because two bombs planted where the glass is holding… and 119 other people falling down with you

Pretty scary thought if you ask me.


#70 Binuru 31 December 2006 at 02:11 pm

Found it!

Based on the image found here on Snopes.com, the location on Google Earth is 36°00′43.43″ N, 113°48′39.98″ W (4500 and change feet in elevation).


#71 misanthrope7 31 December 2006 at 07:03 pm

Of all the suggestions, I think yours is most likely Binuru, although it looks like the illustrator used quite a bit of artistic licence on the straight-down view…


#72 jaydawg53 02 January 2007 at 01:24 pm

Sweet. I’m going to be in northern Arizona in April; since I’ll already be travelling 2,000 miles to get there, what’s $25 to check this thing out? Of course, I’d prefer not to be one of the first people to try it out…


#73 Smurfinator 02 January 2007 at 11:41 pm

only one other persons though was to BASE this thing? shame on you people.

I’ve got some ideas of wingsuiting down the “canyon”. Damn awesome.


#74 groover000 03 January 2007 at 01:32 pm

Nice idea, but the view will only be good for a couple of months. The glass floor will become hopelessly scratched by all the traffic. The Palms Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas has a glass floor on the rooftop bar that looks straight down, but you can hardly see through it anymore because of all the scratches.


#75 rev.felix 08 January 2007 at 10:54 am

My favorite part of these articles is the comments.


#76 cerealkiller 31 January 2007 at 09:13 pm

I am going to have nightmares tonight of falling while getting ‘whapped’ with flying shit and barf while people make smart-ass comments ;)


#77 Tink 08 March 2007 at 12:35 am

#78 odadmin 08 March 2007 at 06:38 pm

Their is a similar concept exhibit in McCleod, Alberta english-named “Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump.” Balmy you say? The Souix would heard the buffalo over the cliff killing them thus saving the arduous and dangerous task of hunting the buffalo. Of course, in this case, the long walk to the bottom would be equally arduous to gather the buffalo meat and pelts. Unless a 4000 foot elevator could transport the thrill-seeker to the bottom and back again – what a ride! Raptor “Busch Gardens” eat your heart out. Incidently, the Alberta exhibit does have an elevator in addition to a walkway and a pile of skulls. A native American exhibit in Nebraska stradles the interstate highway at the Kearney exit, also has a glass floor and an elevator. Good luck with this, I’d love to see the Grand Canyon become something more than a tourist destination.

Nebraska. S


#79 E-hero 11 March 2007 at 07:13 am

odadmin said: “Their is a similar concept exhibit in McCleod, Alberta english-named “Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump.”"

I’ve been to this place and although I loved it, this grand canyon building sounds like so much more fun. I know it doesn’t have all the culture and history that the buffalo Jump did but think about it, a glass bottom! That has got to be awesome!


#80 portsmouth101 02 April 2007 at 05:50 pm

Hey, I saw it on the news that this was done. Buzz Aldwin and some other dude donated a ton to it.

Jus thought of you guys when they talked about it =D


#81 pogmog 14 April 2007 at 12:12 am

There is only 4 inches of glass between you and 4000ft drop


#82 monkforhire 13 May 2007 at 09:31 am

I just didn’t find this to be very impressive. I was imagining so much more and I reckon America could do better. Plus I was told it would be a bridge, something that would have been pretty darn cool. Oh well, better luck next time : )


#83 stevekj 04 October 2007 at 10:39 am

Note that $25 will not, in fact, buy you a stroll on the Skyway. That is only the part of the fee charged by the investors who built the thing. The natives on the reservation have their own fee – that’s another $50. And you also need to pay some amount to enter the park ($10 or so). And from the reports, you won’t be 4000 feet above anything at any time. You might be 200 feet above the nearest part of the canyon wall, though.


#84 Rachelita 12 May 2008 at 04:32 pm

Three words: No Thank You!


#85 DontPanic 29 July 2008 at 03:57 am

Dr. Evil said: “Are all americans afraid of heights?…i from Aus and i havent figured out wat i am scared of yet…probably americans :P”

wahoo! im also aussie and i SO want to go on it… dont know what ur all afraid of! 4 inches of glass is pretty thick…


#86 Dropbear 29 July 2008 at 06:40 am

DontPanic said: “wahoo! im also aussie and i SO want to go on it… dont know what ur all afraid of! 4 inches of glass is pretty thick…”

Dr. Evil said: “Are all americans afraid of heights?…i from Aus and i havent figured out wat i am scared of yet…probably americans :P”

well sorry about this guys….I love flying and abseiling but in all honesty there are thousands of things I would rather do than walk on that and most of them are painful and very unpleasant.


#87 zamaris 15 October 2008 at 07:27 pm

davedaurelle said: “Berkana:

Updrafts are a problem. There used to be an outhouse on a ridge in Banff Provincial Park that just hung out over nothing. It wasn’t unusual to get whapped by flying shit when an updraft hit just as you crapped.”

I laughed so hard at this image, I actually scared my very lazy cat off of my lap. I also almost peed myself.


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