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A cloud looms over the Grand Canyon Skywalk
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marden
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Mar 20, 2007, 06:22 AM
 
A cloud looms over the Grand Canyon Skywalk



Tribal officials look at the new Grand Canyon Skywalk that juts 65 feet off the rim into thin air and see economic survival. Some conservationists, however, view it as a tacky tourist attraction that defaces a natural wonder.

The much-hyped $30 million Skywalk will give tourists with steely nerves and $74.95 to spare a bird's-eye view of the canyon below when it opens March 28. But already, Skywalk has been dubbed everything from inspired to blasphemous.

"I still believe in the old ways," Havatone says. "But this sets us up for the future. My children and grandchildren will have something to fall back on" economically.
"We're frankly aghast at what they're doing to the Grand Canyon. It's one of the seven wonders of the world, and they're making it a Disneyland."

Some tribal elders also express concern. One octogenarian, who didn't want her name used for fear of retribution, says the Skywalk violates long-held beliefs that the land should be respected.
A cloud looms over the Grand Canyon Skywalk - USATODAY.com

The octogenarian doesn't have long to worry about how the tribe survives. They said no to gambling. Ok, fine. This was their tribe's last hope. The native American reservations in the area are impoverished. What else can they do? And environmentalists need to get a grip. It's ONE small section of a HUGE canyon, hundreds (+?) of miles long and wide and deep. The white man owes the red man a break. Ease up, kick back and light up a fatty.
     
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Mar 20, 2007, 08:39 AM
 
Tacky? **** off, it's a tiny piece of canyon that let's visitors experience it in a whole new way. Come off it already.

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Dakar²
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Mar 20, 2007, 08:47 AM
 
I hope the tribe has several octogenarian females or else that bitch just got identified.
     
marden  (op)
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Mar 20, 2007, 09:04 AM
 
Originally Posted by Dakar² View Post
I hope the tribe has several octogenarian females or else that bitch just got identified.
There are quite a few old folks in the tribes & reservations in the area. And she wouldn't be the only one who felt that way and Native Americans have a certain respect for the elderly that we generally don't so even if everyone knew who she was she'd likely suffer no reprisals.
     
Dakar²
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Mar 20, 2007, 09:08 AM
 
A. They're only talking about one tribe

B. If they had that kind respect for the elderly she wouldn't be going anonymous.
     
marden  (op)
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Mar 20, 2007, 09:53 AM
 
Originally Posted by Dakar² View Post
A. They're only talking about one tribe

B. If they had that kind respect for the elderly she wouldn't be going anonymous.


You nailed me on both counts.

Good for you!

But don't hold your breath waiting for me to suffer a lapse like that again anytime soon!
     
Dakar²
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Mar 20, 2007, 09:55 AM
 
Fantastic. I'm going to go commit suicide now, as it's obvious I can go nowhere but down.
     
marden  (op)
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Mar 20, 2007, 10:05 AM
 
Originally Posted by Dakar² View Post
Fantastic. I'm going to go commit suicide now, as it's obvious I can go nowhere but down.
Ah ha! A terrorist! I knew it!

 


Ooops, I mentioned the word 'terrorist.' According to some here that means the thread now has to be moved to the P/L!
     
Gee4orce
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Mar 20, 2007, 10:22 AM
 
If this were New Zealand, they'd have installed a bungie too...

They should have built this on top of Half Dome though (complete with a cablecar to get the fat tourists up there) - having seen both views, looking down off of Half Dome creates a lot more involuntary trouser tension....
     
centerchannel68
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Mar 20, 2007, 10:34 AM
 
When I go someplace to view nature in all of it's glory, I want as little manmade bullshit as possible.
     
Dakar²
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Mar 20, 2007, 10:35 AM
 
Originally Posted by centerchannel68 View Post
When I go someplace to view nature in all of it's glory, I want as little manmade bullshit as possible.
That's why I'm not a fan of nipple piercings or implants.
     
centerchannel68
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Mar 20, 2007, 10:40 AM
 
haha. Werd.
     
Saetre
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Mar 20, 2007, 10:50 AM
 
Originally Posted by centerchannel68 View Post
When I go someplace to view nature in all of it's glory, I want as little manmade bullshit as possible.
Exactly. If I had my way, people would have to hike 50 miles across the desert to see the canyon. People should have to earn their access to this kind of beauty so it's preserved for those who appreciate it enough to keep it beautiful.
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olePigeon
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Mar 20, 2007, 11:13 AM
 
$30 million?! Looks like they pushed half a skating rink over the edge.
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Railroader
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Mar 20, 2007, 11:27 AM
 
Originally Posted by Saetre View Post
Exactly. If I had my way, people would have to hike 50 miles across the desert to see the canyon. People should have to earn their access to this kind of beauty so it's preserved for those who appreciate it enough to keep it beautiful.
Well played!

And has no one commented on the $75/person fee yet? $75?!?!?! ??!?!
     
OldManMac
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Mar 20, 2007, 12:45 PM
 
Originally Posted by Saetre View Post
Exactly. If I had my way, people would have to hike 50 miles across the desert to see the canyon. People should have to earn their access to this kind of beauty so it's preserved for those who appreciate it enough to keep it beautiful.
This is America, dude! We have the god given right to trample over anything we want, and if it gets destroyed in the process, that's tough titties! They should allow 4X4 competitions in the damn Canyon, and if it gets renamed the Ronald McDonald Grand Canyon, then that's the American way!

<<almost forgot to turn my sarcasm meter off>>
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earthlings
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Mar 20, 2007, 12:53 PM
 
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mac128k-1984
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Mar 20, 2007, 12:58 PM
 
I'm actually surprised by the uproar, we've been slapping endorsements on anythings that moves or doesn't move for that matter. Every where you turn there's someone looking to make a buck, now the this indian tribe that basically has nothing is being hammered because of this building.
Michael
     
Dakar²
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Mar 20, 2007, 01:04 PM
 
Originally Posted by mac128k-1984 View Post
I'm actually surprised by the uproar, we've been slapping endorsements on anythings that moves or doesn't move for that matter. Every where you turn there's someone looking to make a buck, now the this indian tribe that basically has nothing is being hammered because of this building.
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osiris
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Mar 20, 2007, 03:06 PM
 
Originally Posted by Railroader View Post
Well played!

And has no one commented on the $75/person fee yet? $75?!?!?! ??!?!
I read somewhere it was $25. $75 is a little ridiculous (so is 25!!)
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Railroader
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Mar 20, 2007, 04:32 PM
 
Originally Posted by osiris View Post
I read somewhere it was $25. $75 is a little ridiculous (so is 25!!)
I am just going by the quote in the first post.
     
sek929
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Mar 20, 2007, 04:50 PM
 
Originally Posted by Dakar² View Post
This post brought to you by Thompson's Teeth.

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favorite. opening. ever.
     
finboy
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Mar 20, 2007, 05:10 PM
 
Originally Posted by centerchannel68 View Post
When I go someplace to view nature in all of it's glory, I want as little manmade bullshit as possible.
I agree. I think we should do away with the roads and guard rails leading to the GC, and eliminate all the stairs and hiking trails and railing. Make it "natural."
     
Gossamer
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Mar 20, 2007, 05:14 PM
 
Originally Posted by finboy View Post
I agree. I think we should do away with the roads and guard rails leading to the GC, and eliminate all the stairs and hiking trails and railing. Make it "natural."
There's a difference between having a trail that people can use to get down into the canyon and having a large building that juts into the canyon built to make money.
     
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Mar 20, 2007, 06:35 PM
 
Walking on glass over Grand Canyon doesn't sound awesome to anyone else?

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Dakar²
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Mar 20, 2007, 06:39 PM
 
Originally Posted by - - e r i k - - View Post
Walking on glass over Grand Canyon doesn't sound awesome to anyone else?
This depends. Are the diapers included free of charge?
     
mac128k-1984
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Mar 20, 2007, 07:43 PM
 
Originally Posted by Gossamer View Post
There's a difference between having a trail that people can use to get down into the canyon and having a large building that juts into the canyon built to make money.
Since when has making money in the country been bad. Heck, this country was built by people looking to get rich and now we have some sort of rightious indignation that a poor indian tribe built a tourist center at the grand canyon?
Michael
     
marden  (op)
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Mar 20, 2007, 08:23 PM
 
Originally Posted by centerchannel68 View Post
When I go someplace to view nature in all of it's glory, I want as little manmade bullshit as possible.
Good. There's hundreds of miles of that just waiting for you and anyone else who feels that way.
     
marden  (op)
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Mar 20, 2007, 08:28 PM
 
Originally Posted by Railroader View Post
Well played!
I agree!

Originally Posted by Railroader View Post
And has no one commented on the $75/person fee yet? $75?!?!?! ??!?!
Other than from an aircraft there's no other way to get that view. How much does it cost to take a helicopter or plane trip over the canyon?

The law of supply and demand at it's finest, I suppose.

Besides, we owe it to the red man to frequent his business ventures, don't we?
     
centerchannel68
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Mar 20, 2007, 08:30 PM
 
Originally Posted by finboy View Post
I agree. I think we should do away with the roads and guard rails leading to the GC, and eliminate all the stairs and hiking trails and railing. Make it "natural."
There's a huge difference between accessibility/safety and gigantic building that juts over the canyon with a glass floor built over the canyon catering to rich fatasses.

Obviously you lack the mental capacity to differentiate the two.
     
earthlings
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Mar 20, 2007, 08:31 PM
 
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hayesk
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Mar 20, 2007, 08:34 PM
 
Originally Posted by - - e r i k - - View Post
Walking on glass over Grand Canyon doesn't sound awesome to anyone else?
I'm with you. The grand canyon is a huge canyon - this thing isn't exactly going to kill off a natural habitat.
     
marden  (op)
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Mar 20, 2007, 08:38 PM
 
Originally Posted by earthlings View Post
Sounds like an interesting experience. But the glass might break.
You really think the people who design, engineer and build these things are only as smart as MacNN posters?

I'll give you a clue...



There are folks who don't understand there are professionals whose job it is to make sure that their constructions don't fail and kill people.

The Grand Canyon Skywalk brings the idea of walking on air to life, using a million pounds of steel and ninety tons of 4-inch thick tempered glass along the way. When it’s completed, it will be able to withstand the weight of up to 800-persons, each weighing 175-pounds. First live construction shots after the jump.

"In addition to tuned mass dampers used to minimize vibration from wind and pedestrians, the bridge will be built to withstand extremely high winds and earthquakes. The glass bridge construction of the Skywalk began March of 2004. It will be rolled onto the edge of the canyon between February 27 and March 2, 2007 after passing several days of final testing to replicate weather, strength and endurance conditions of its final destination."

http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/t...canyon-skywalk
     
earthlings
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Mar 20, 2007, 08:41 PM
 
I understand there are professionals who know what they are doing. I have things to say about bad construction jobs, but I won’t mention it here.
     
centerchannel68
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Mar 20, 2007, 08:49 PM
 
Now what I would support would be a grand canyon "Zip line". That would be ****ing awesome.
     
zro
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Mar 20, 2007, 08:50 PM
 
They should put a swing set at the edge. One of those really big ones with long chains and seats that look like they came from Paul Bunion's slingshot. Make it free to get on, of course. Then make people pay to get off.
     
centerchannel68
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Mar 20, 2007, 09:19 PM
 
Sweet. That and a heated escalator to the top of mt everest.
     
Railroader
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Mar 20, 2007, 09:40 PM
 
Originally Posted by zro View Post
Then make people pay to get off.
I hate that I am going to make this joke...

A lot of people already do that.
     
abbaZaba
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Mar 20, 2007, 10:52 PM
 
Originally Posted by Railroader View Post
I hate that I am going to make this joke...

A lot of people already do that.
ZING
     
FireWire
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Mar 20, 2007, 11:23 PM
 
Originally Posted by osiris View Post
I read somewhere it was $25. $75 is a little ridiculous (so is 25!!)
The park charges 25$, but the tribe charges 50$ for access!

Originally Posted by marden View Post
How much does it cost to take a helicopter or plane trip over the canyon?
When I went there two years ago, the cost was about 140$. The funny thing is, if you're in Las Vegas, they offer the same helicopter ride for... 80$ (and they carry you back and forth to Las Vegas for that price!)
     
ShortcutToMoncton
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Mar 21, 2007, 12:37 AM
 
Originally Posted by earthlings View Post
Sounds like an interesting experience. But the glass might break.
Let me tell you, if you ever visit the CN Tower in Toronto, there is nothing better than getting a running start towards the glass floor and just long-jumping onto that thing with a war cry.

Like chickens. Like gold.

greg
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earthlings
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Mar 21, 2007, 12:39 AM
 
Originally Posted by ShortcutToMoncton View Post
Let me tell you, if you ever visit the CN Tower in Toronto, there is nothing better than getting a running start towards the glass floor and just long-jumping onto that thing with a war cry.

Like chickens. Like gold.

greg
I went there.
     
sek929
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Mar 21, 2007, 12:36 PM
 
4" thick tempered glass wouldn't break if an elephant did aerobics on it.
     
Dakar²
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Mar 21, 2007, 12:40 PM
 
Originally Posted by sek929 View Post
4" thick tempered glass wouldn't break if an elephant did aerobics on it.
It's not likely to survive Rosie O' Donnell, though.
     
mitchell_pgh
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Mar 21, 2007, 12:44 PM
 
$25+ seems steep. I think I'd be fine just having a $25 picnic near the edge.

That being said, I can see the tourist agencies scrambling to promote it.
     
sek929
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Mar 21, 2007, 01:08 PM
 
I wouldn't pay 20 bucks for this, not in this lifetime. I'll pay for the gas to drive there and I'll marvel at it from a free perspective.
     
osiris
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Mar 21, 2007, 01:21 PM
 
Originally Posted by FireWire View Post
The park charges 25$, but the tribe charges 50$ for access!

When I went there two years ago, the cost was about 140$. The funny thing is, if you're in Las Vegas, they offer the same helicopter ride for... 80$ (and they carry you back and forth to Las Vegas for that price!)
Holy cow that's a lot of money for visiting a public place. I hope people can still hike the bottom without paying.

The helicopter would be cool, I flew over Orlando one time and saw Epcot, Dizzy World, etc... The Grand Canyon would be an awesome site.
"Faster, faster! 'Till the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death." - HST
     
marden  (op)
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Mar 21, 2007, 04:44 PM
 
Originally Posted by ShortcutToMoncton View Post
Let me tell you, if you ever visit the CN Tower in Toronto, there is nothing better than getting a running start towards the glass floor and just long-jumping onto that thing with a war cry.

Like chickens. Like gold.

greg
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sek929
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Mar 21, 2007, 04:50 PM
 
It's ok marden, I found a picture of it.

     
Railroader
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Mar 21, 2007, 05:00 PM
 
The thing is HUGE!!!

And top heavy!
     
 
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