World & Nation

Nik Wallenda and Niagara Falls

High-wire artist Nik Wallenda prepares for a practice session on the day before his historic walk across Niagara Falls.

High-wire artist Nik Wallenda prepares for a practice session on the day before his historic walk across Niagara Falls.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

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Nik Wallenda will attempt to cross Niagara Falls on a cable Friday. He will use a safety line but is not happy about it. “I’m wearing a tether because they’re making me wear a tether,” he said. “I don’t trust it. It’s not the way my mind works.”

High-wire act over Niagara Falls

Nik Wallenda, 33, on Friday will try to cross Horseshoe Falls, the biggest and most spectacular of Niagara Falls’ three cascades.   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

High-wire act over Niagara Falls

Wallenda gets in a workout.   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

High-wire act over Niagara Falls

Jean Kiene of Lockport, N.Y., watches Wallenda practice near Niagara Falls.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

High-wire act over Niagara Falls

ABC, which will televise Wallenda’s attempt Friday, demanded that he wear a safety device to prevent him from plummeting to his death during prime time.   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

High-wire act over Niagara Falls

A crowd watches Wallenda practice. The event has been more than a year in the making and required approval from park officials on both sides of Niagara Falls.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

High-wire act over Niagara Falls

Wallenda at work. “It’s happening. This is going to be the biggest event on the planet!” said Jim Diodati, mayor of Niagara Falls, Canada.   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

High-wire act over Niagara Falls

Lights are set up along the top of the falls on the U.S. side, close to where Wallenda will begin his walk.   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

High wire act over Niagara Falls

Tourists view Niagara Falls from the U.S. side, from which Nik Wallenda will start his walk across the wire on the left.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

High wire act over Niagara Falls

Nik Wallenda poses for a photo with a tourist on the day before his historic tightrope walk, which officials hope will boost tourism.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

High wire act over Niagara Falls

Nik Wallenda, right, takes a break near the falls on the day before his historic walk.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

High wire act over Niagara Falls

Nik Wallenda below the wire he plans walk to cross Niagara Falls. A rescue cage will follow him across.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

High wire act over Niagara Falls

A wire crosses Horseshoe Falls, where Nik Wallenda plans his historic walk.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

High wire act over Niagara Falls

The spray at Horseshoe Falls creates a small rainbow below the tourists taking in the view.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

High wire act over Niagara Falls

Nik Wallenda, shown at a news conference, says this walk will be a dream come true for him.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

High wire act over Niagara Falls

A view of the Canadian side of the falls, seen from Niagara, N.Y.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

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