There was "wind coming from every which way," mist so powerful it clouded his vision and an unfamiliar wire beneath him, but daredevil Nik Wallenda didn't let that stop him from becoming the first person to walk on a tightrope across the Niagara Falls. He took steady, measured steps Friday night for 1,800 feet on a wire across the widest part of the gorge of the roaring falls separating the US and Canada, accomplishing what he said was his childhood dream — albeit wearing a tether. "I feel like I'm on cloud nine right now," an exuberant Wallenda told reporters after his feat. Associated Press. Images of his feat.
Nik Wallenda walks a 1,800 feet-long tightrope over the brink of the Niagara Falls, as seen from Niagara Falls, Ont., on Friday, June 15, 2012. Wallenda battled brisk winds and thick mist Friday to make history, becoming the first person to walk across Niagara Falls on a tightrope. Nathan Denette/AP
Nik Wallenda walks over Niagara Falls on a tightrope as seen from Niagara Falls, Ontario, on Friday, June 15, 2012. Wallenda has finished his attempt to become the first person to walk on a tightrope 1,800 feet across the mist-fogged brink of roaring Niagara Falls. The seventh-generation member of the famed Flying Wallendas had long dreamed of pulling off the stunt, never before attempted.Frank Gunn/AP/The Canadian Press
Nik Wallenda nears the middle of his tightrope walk over Niagara Falls as seen from Niagara Falls, Ontario, on Friday, June 15, 2012. Wallenda has finished his attempt to become the first person to walk on a tightrope 1,800 feet across the mist-fogged brink of roaring Niagara Falls.Aaron Vincent Elkaim/AP/The Canadian Press
aerialist Nik Wallenda advances toward the Canadian shoreline while successfully completing his 1,800 feet-long tightrope walk over the brink of the Niagara Falls in Niagara Falls. AP
Nik Wallenda pumps his fist on one knee as he nears completion of his 1,800 feet-long tightrope walk over the brink of the Niagara Falls in Niagara Falls. Aaron Vincent Elkaim/AP/The Canadian Press
Nik Wallenda pumps his fist as he completes his 1,800 feet-long tightrope walk over the brink of the Niagara Falls in Niagara Falls, Ont., on Friday, June 15, 2012. Wallenda battled brisk winds and thick mist Friday to make history, becoming the first person to walk across Niagara Falls on a tightrope. Aaron Vincent Elkaim/AP/The Canadian Press
