Grand Canyon Skywalk

Hey all,

Has anyone been to see the Grand Canyon Skywalk yet? I only heard about it today [:I] but as I'm going this summer I thought it would be worth investigating. It is due to be finished in April. For those of you who, like me, seem to live as a hermit, it's a glass bridge on the south rim (I think) of the canyon which you can walk out onto. From photos I have found by googling, it looks like a loop off the top of the canyon. However, my husband reckons as I have enough trouble getting across the glass bits on the upper floor of Bluewater, I probably won't manage it!

Now if I can ride a sports bike at 120mph+ then surely I can cope with a flimsy glass bridge poking out over certain death, can't I....? [:$]

Jacq x

{mcuth: moved to travel forum from social}

See pictures - it looks Awsome!

Defo on my to do list

[preiffer]

I didn't think it was open yet...? [:|]

No, it's due to open in April. I was just wondering if anyone had been there recently and seen it under construction, or if anyone had plans to visit before I get there in August.

Jacq

[Scrooge]

The opening has been pushed back somewhat,when I find a link giving a date i'll post it.

Good link here.

Apparantly it can take the weight of 71 fullen laden 747s - yea right [:o)]

Phil

[fozzyo]

Originally posted by BuffyTVS65
Apparantly it can take the weight of 71 fullen laden 747s - yea right [:o)]

I think I'd be happy seeing it with just the one first before i walk onto it.

Mat xxx

Originally posted by sailor99
See pictures - it looks Awsome!

Defo on my to do list

Yeah, heard about it - not too sure I could stomach it.

Wonder if anyone will try and base jump off it?

[fozzyo]

Originally posted by xenole
Wonder if anyone will try and base jump off it?

Knowing a former base-jump addict, without a doubt. But then he was a crazy person.

I am still surprised that one day he didn't come into work buzzing after jumping of a bridge or building somewhere in London.

Mat xxx

Originally posted by Jacqueline Lewis
flimsy glass bridge

There appears to be a misaprehention that glass is week it is not its strong the problem is its brittle. Different material behave in different ways if over stresses. Stress fractures aside, if you over stress steel it may deform well before breaking. Glass just tends to break. We think of glass as week as it is genarally used in thin sheets which are easily overstressed, very few materails will be good in thin sheets, just think how easy it is to dent your car. We think of concrete as strong but have you not seen how easily paving slabs can break if a lorry drives on the pavement or hit by a oriental gentleman in white pajamas. Are you are happy to park your heavy car in a multi story car park eventhough it is make from concrete. Conrete is good in compression but week in tension so is reinforce with steel to overcom this problem.

Glass can be strengtheded by toughening (uses heat treatment) or laminating also much thicker glass than you find in your windows supports the load imposed by many peaople. A small sheet of toughened window glass will still support the weight of a person. Also remember you car windscreen forms part of the structure of the car.

Glass floors are designed to cope with the loads it is expected to have sitting on it don't worry whether the glass will break worry that the engineer got his sums right. Non glass floors have colapsed too.

Going to Vegas at the very beginning of May.
Rang the Grand Canyon West office and they think it's going to be ready for June. You never know, this may change.
Now what do I do....?
Do I book a trip to the South Rim but worry it might be open afterall.
Or do I book a trip to the West Rim, but be frustrated at seeing it there but not being able to go on it?

I've been to both before, but taking my brother who never has been so regardless of whereever we go he'll be impressed I guess..

Dean

[Scrooge]

I would wait till you get out here,then book the trip,totaly forgot to call them[:I] but from what I remember they are adding other buildings to the project and they want some of those in first before they build the skywalk.

IMHO there's no point in booking it now,as you wont save any $$$ but you could waste some.

Of course if you want to see the Grand Canyon anyways then book away.

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by fozzyo

Originally posted by xenole
Wonder if anyone will try and base jump off it?

Knowing a former base-jump addict, without a doubt. But then he was a crazy person.

I am still surprised that one day he didn't come into work buzzing after jumping of a bridge or building somewhere in London.

Mat xxx

Paging Mr Priffer? Let me know when you want to jump off this thing will you.

Anyone know if completion is still scheduled for June?-looked at the website bit not much further info there.

[Scrooge]

I've tried calling,e-mailing,shouting loudly and I cant seem to get a responce out of them [}:)].If I hear anything I will post it here.

Thanks Dave.Will keep an eye out.

Not going on that trip anymore [:#] so someone will have to report back.

We'll be in that area in August so might pop in for a look see if it's open.

Miopyk

[preiffer]

Completion's now been pushed back to Q4 2006

This has been reported on several sites - the one above is just one of them.

The Skywalk, originally set to open in January, is now scheduled for completion by mid-summer and to open to the public by the end of the year, due to design changes planned for the building that will serve as the visitor's center and entrance to the structure. An exact date for the public grand opening will be announced closer to completion of construction. New features planned for The Skywalk include: an underground canyon cellar for dining; a trolley designed to maintain the underside of the glass bridge and offer rides to guests; and rooftop dining; as well as additional unique features to be announced at a later date.

We saw the construction site earlier this month and it looks like there's still an awful lot of work to be done - looks like it's going to be brilliant though.

[Scrooge]

Didn't see anything about a place for sjy diving off of..sorry Paul

[preiffer]

No worries Dave - I've just signed up for this course. [y]

[Scrooge]

Dude...ok,you want my full name for your will?

Anyone know if there's been any update on the opening date ? -website still says Q4 2006.Would love this to be open by the time I get to Las Vegas at the beginning of Nov.