Friday, June 15, 2012

Wallenda crossing Niagara Falls

  • NEW: Nik Wallenda appears calm, focused as he starts historic attempt
  • "It's been a dream of mine for a long time," he tells CNN
  • Wallenda had a near fall after stumbling on a tightrope above Baltimore's Inner Harbor
  • His great-grandfather was killed at the age of 73 attempting to walk between two buildings

(CNN) -- Cloaked in darkness and enveloped by mist, aerialist Nik Wallenda began his daring walk across Niagara Falls on a tightrope late Friday.

It's a historic attempt that observers say is in line with his appetite for the extreme and the high-wire customs of his "Flying Wallendas" family.

"It's been a dream of mine for a long time," Wallenda told CNN. "I'm one of those people who always tries to overachieve. I want to do more. I want to do bigger things."

Wearing a red and black rain jacket and a balance pole around his neck, Wallenda waved to the crowd. He appeared calm and focused as he began the walk.

He took small steps, gingerly placing one foot in front of the other.

Thousands were on hand to watch Wallenda teeter his way on the 2-inch-wide wire over Horseshoe Falls toward Canada. He wore a harness at the insistence of those sponsoring the event, officials say, despite what he said was his desire to walk without a safety rig.

A promotional poster shows the orginal performers who came to America in 1928. Clockwise from top left are Karl Wallenda, Helen Wallenda, Joe Geiger and Herman Wallenda.A promotional poster shows the orginal performers who came to America in 1928. Clockwise from top left are Karl Wallenda, Helen Wallenda, Joe Geiger and Herman Wallenda.
Karl Wallenda performs on a sway pole in Europe before the troup's move to America in 1928.Karl Wallenda performs on a sway pole in Europe before the troup's move to America in 1928.
The Wallendas perform the four-person pyramid, one of their signature acts. In 1948, the team created a seven-person pyramid.The Wallendas perform the four-person pyramid, one of their signature acts. In 1948, the team created a seven-person pyramid.
The Wallendas practice an eight-person pyramid in 1947. This version was never performed in a show.The Wallendas practice an eight-person pyramid in 1947. This version was never performed in a show.
Karl Wallenda walks a tightrope between two corners of the Tower Hotel in London in 1976. Two years later, Wallenda died during a similar walk between two towers of the Condado Plaza Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He was 73.Karl Wallenda walks a tightrope between two corners of the Tower Hotel in London in 1976. Two years later, Wallenda died during a similar walk between two towers of the Condado Plaza Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He was 73.
A young Nik Wallenda watches his mother, Delilah, get ready for a show.A young Nik Wallenda watches his mother, Delilah, get ready for a show.
Nik Wallenda started performing with his family as a clown at age 2 and walking the wire at age 4.Nik Wallenda started performing with his family as a clown at age 2 and walking the wire at age 4.
Nik Wallenda and his sister, Lijana, practice walking the wire.Nik Wallenda and his sister, Lijana, practice walking the wire.
Nik Wallenda takes to the wire for the first time professionally at age 13.Nik Wallenda takes to the wire for the first time professionally at age 13.
Nik Wallenda attempts the "Wheel of Death" for the first time.Nik Wallenda attempts the "Wheel of Death" for the first time.
Nik Wallenda rehearses for his attempt to cross Niagara Falls on a wire in the parking lot of the Seneca Niagara Casino in Niagara Falls, New York.Nik Wallenda rehearses for his attempt to cross Niagara Falls on a wire in the parking lot of the Seneca Niagara Casino in Niagara Falls, New York.
Photos: Wallenda family amazes through the years
Photos: Wallenda family amazes through the years
Photos: Wallenda family amazes through the years
Photos: Wallenda family amazes through the years
Photos: Wallenda family amazes through the years
Photos: Wallenda family amazes through the years
Photos: Wallenda family amazes through the years
Photos: Wallenda family amazes through the years
Photos: Wallenda family amazes through the years
Photos: Wallenda family amazes through the years
Photos: Wallenda family amazes through the years

"Fear is debilitating," Wallenda said. "It makes it so it's almost impossible. You overreact and that will cause you to fall."

Wallenda, who hails from multiple generations of high-flying daredevils, had a near fall as he stumbled on a tightrope above Baltimore's Inner Harbor earlier this year.

His great-grandfather Karl Wallenda was killed at the age of 73 attempting to walk between two buildings in Puerto Rico in 1978.

Friday's event is being broadcast on ABC.

CNN's Jason Carroll contributed to this report