Would you pay $25 for this?

[Franklinnoble]

http://img358.imageshack.us/img358/4743/captny12808260249canyontourism.jpg
Grand Canyon to Get Glass-Bottomed Walk <!-- END HEADLINE --> <!-- BEGIN STORY BODY --> Fri Aug 26,12:23 AM ET


PHOENIX - Great views — and plenty of goosebumps for those afraid of heights.

An American Indian tribe with land along the Grand Canyon is planning to build a glass-bottomed walkway that will jut out 70 feet from the canyon's edge.

The horseshoe-shaped skywalk, expected to open in January, is part of the Hualapai Tribe's $40 million effort to turn 1,000 acres of reservation land into a tourist destination that will also feature an Indian village and Western-themed town.

The tribe's reservation is some 200 miles by road to the west of the section of the Grand Canyon National Park that most tourists visit.

The walkway, with a glass bottom and sides, will be supported by steel beams and will accommodate 120 people, though it is designed to hold 72 million pounds, said Sheri Yellowhawk, chief executive officer of the Grand Canyon Resort Corp., the tribal-owned company that is overseeing the project.

"You're basically looking 4,000 feet down. It's a whole new way to experience the Grand Canyon," Yellowhawk said.

Admission will be $25.

The project is still seeking an insurer, said architect David Jin, who said he came up with the skywalk idea while visiting the canyon in 1996.


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[Honolulu_Blue]

http://img358.imageshack.us/img358/4743/captny12808260249canyontourism.jpg
Grand Canyon to Get Glass-Bottomed Walk <!-- END HEADLINE --> <!-- BEGIN STORY BODY --> Fri Aug 26,12:23 AM ET


PHOENIX - Great views — and plenty of goosebumps for those afraid of heights.

An American Indian tribe with land along the Grand Canyon is planning to build a glass-bottomed walkway that will jut out 70 feet from the canyon's edge.

The horseshoe-shaped skywalk, expected to open in January, is part of the Hualapai Tribe's $40 million effort to turn 1,000 acres of reservation land into a tourist destination that will also feature an Indian village and Western-themed town.

The tribe's reservation is some 200 miles by road to the west of the section of the Grand Canyon National Park that most tourists visit.

The walkway, with a glass bottom and sides, will be supported by steel beams and will accommodate 120 people, though it is designed to hold 72 million pounds, said Sheri Yellowhawk, chief executive officer of the Grand Canyon Resort Corp., the tribal-owned company that is overseeing the project.

"You're basically looking 4,000 feet down. It's a whole new way to experience the Grand Canyon," Yellowhawk said.

Admission will be $25.

The project is still seeking an insurer, said architect David Jin, who said he came up with the skywalk idea while visiting the canyon in 1996.


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Assuming I could actually walk out there, yeah, maybe. But I seriously doubt I would go out onto something like that. In fact, the soles of my feet are sweating now just thinking about it.

[Farrah Whitworth-Rahn]

Sad fact: I've lived in Arizona for over ten years, and never been to the Grand Canyon.

[ice4277]

There is a small section of the floor of the observation deck on the CN Tower in Toronto made out of glass. Gave me a very creepy feeling to stand on it and look straight down into Skydome. I doubt I would want to do that, but it seems like a cool idea nonetheless.

[Tekneek]

I would have to be paid a million dollars BEFORE I walked out there. So, I think I would never do it.

[Lorena]

$25.00 to stand on glass looking 4,000 ft under? Uhh... no

[Eaglesfan27]

I agree with the other people who have already posted. I'd have to be paid at least 25,000 dollars before I'd walk out onto that.

[Greyroofoo]

i'd definitely go walk out on it, i'm just not sure i'd pay 25 bucks for it

[HomerJSimpson]

i'd definitely go walk out on it, i'm just not sure i'd pay 25 bucks for it


With ya. I'd love to walk out there, but I wouldn't pay more than a couple of bucks, if that.

[Tom E]

I'd like to throw a few injun's over the rail...

[Raiders Army]

$25 Canadian? That equates to about $5 U.S., so sure.

[Izulde]

With ya. I'd love to walk out there, but I wouldn't pay more than a couple of bucks, if that.

".

[MizzouRah]

The project is still seeking an insurer, said architect David Jin, who said he came up with the skywalk idea while visiting the canyon in 1996.

I like this quote. :)

[Cringer]

oh. I thought maybe the hooker in Memphis from the other day lowered her price for 'a suck'.

Anyways, that would be creepy but I think I would give it a whirl. $25 is a little high though. I wouldn't have spent that much for the friendly girl in memphis.

[oliegirl]

You couldn't pay me enough money to go out on that thing. No way, no how, not ever...nope, not happening!

[Draft Dodger]

I've got no issue going out on it...but it sure in the hell ain't worth $25 to me.

[Buccaneer]

a tourist destination that will also feature an Indian village and Western-themed town.
Plus gift shops selling rubber tomahawks and plastic drums made in China. :mad:

People cry about how national parks are being destroyed by haze (i.e., making it harder to build needed power plants) and regular tourists (i.e., restricting access) yet they allow shit like this.

Oh that's right, they are the oppressed minority so it's allowed.

[hukarez]

Does the $25 include a parachute?

[Poli]

Remember Tomorrow.

[Ragone]

wow.. how long before they put slot machines out there on that walkway? :P

[Buccaneer]

wow.. how long before they put slot machines out there on that walkway? :P
That would be like the carrot and the stick, huh?

[Ragone]

That would be like the carrot and the stick, huh?

something like that

[BigJohn&TheLions]

HAIL NO!!!

[ISiddiqui]

Sounds cool. $25 may be steep... but definetly a different way to look at things.

[Axxon]

I'm pretty sure the $25 is for the whole park package and not just the skywalk and if that's the case and it opens, heck yeah I'll walk it.

[ISiddiqui]

Yeah, I missed:

part of the Hualapai Tribe's $40 million effort to turn 1,000 acres of reservation land into a tourist destination that will also feature an Indian village and Western-themed town.
So I guess $25 ain't too bad.

[Axxon]

Yeah, I missed:

effort to turn 1,000 acres of reservation land



Yes, and Buc missed this key piece too. It's not about an oppressed minority. It's their FUCKING land.

[ISiddiqui]

Oh, I didn't notice Buc's post. To tell the truth, I've been tuning him out lately ;). I haven't done it sooner because we both were posting on the same (other) forum a few years back, so I gave him a bit of leeway ;).

[kingfc22]

I'd go out there, if I was tied to a bungee cord. This has DISASTER written all over it.

[vex]

It's a 3 hr drive as well from the other tourist attractions.

[RPI-Fan]

$25 for the right to shit my pants?

No thanks.

~rpi-fan

[Axxon]

It's a 3 hr drive as well from the other tourist attractions.

Is it included in the price and will they transport you or will that be up to you? I think a train ride to it would be cool and in period as well.

[st.cronin]

Just looking at that photo on this little notebook makes me dizzy.

[vex]

And might I ask how that could hold 72 million lbs?

[vex]

Dola

FN, Link?

[AZSpeechCoach]

Not just no, but fuck no! I have trouble just walking on my roof without being acrophobic.

[JeeberD]

I've got no issue going out on it...but it sure in the hell ain't worth $25 to me.

Yup, I agree. There are better things that I could spend my money on...

[Franklinnoble]

Dola

FN, Link?
Sorry... got it off Drudge yesterday... a google news search might turn it up.

[capsicum]

I'd go...probably on my hands and knees...but i'd go :)

[Hurst2112]

I'd go in a minute. I'd probably pay $25 just for the ability to walk out on the thing. I like heights and stuff like that. Always wanted to try bungie jumping (ones off of the bridge...where its connected to the underside).

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Well, it's a year and a half later, and the walkway is basically completed. If you want to see some video of as installed, go here.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8004316/

[stevew]

I'll be honest, it scares me to even think about walking on that thing.

[sabotai]

I'd love to go on that thing!

[Marc Vaughan]

I'd do it - appeals to me more than rollercoasters and suchlike ...

[Passacaglia]

Having just come back from a vacation, I'm a bit surprised by those who say they would do it, but not for that price. Considering how much you've already spent on a vacation to the area at that point, why balk at a 25 dollar price tag for this? I agree that it's high, but, I dunno, when you're on vacation, you kind of expect prices to be high. The 3 hour thing I can see as a problem, though -- if I'm already seeing the Grand Canyon, taking up all that time for one more thing wouldn't thrill me.

[gottimd]

For insurance purposes, I wonder if they will make tourists hook into to some sort of cable in case of collapse? But then again, I have a feeling that will have an adverse effect on the potential tourists and make them think twice about going out there.

[KevinNU7]

Well, it's a year and a half later, and the walkway is basically completed. If you want to see some video of as installed, go here.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8004316/
WOW, that think looks like shit compared to the original drawings

[gottimd]

WOW, that think looks like shit compared to the original drawings
Yes it does. It looks like a large version of Luke Skywalkers speeder car in the original star wars.

http://starwars.wikia.com/images/thumb/5/54/X34-landspeeder.jpg/250px-X34-landspeeder.jpg

[rkmsuf]

"Clark, don't you want to see the Grand Canyon?"

"..........ok, let's go kids! Get in the car!"

[Karlifornia]

"Like the car and buses. The white man made it, and it came out strong," the 84-year-old tribal elder said of the skywalk. "We've got to give it a chance."


lol

[14ers]

The tribe's reservation is some 200 miles by road to the west of the section of the Grand Canyon National Park that most tourists visit.
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Forget the $25, who is going to drive 200 mile out of their way for this? Unless it involves Base Jumping or Bungee Jumping. Then, yeah, I would drive 200 miles and pay $25 to Jump the Grand Canyon.


Or, they could just build a giant Casino and Spa in the shape of a Teepee and be done with it.:)

[cthomer5000]

It really does look awful compared to the concept drawing. Now it looks like it was built out of an old motel or something.

[PineTar]

Make it $75

http://www.hicks-wright.net/blog.php?id=5173

[Peregrine]

Yeah I read that article. Talk about a bait and switch.