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Grand Canyon Skywalk

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Skywalk from Outside Ledge

36°0′44″N 113°48′40″W / 36.01222°N 113.81111°W / 36.01222; -113.81111 The Grand Canyon Skywalk is a tourist attraction along the Colorado River on the edge of the Grand Canyon (Grand Canyon West) in the U.S. state of Arizona. Commissioned by the Hualapai Indian tribe, it was unveiled March 20, 2007, and opened to the general public on March 28, 2007. The attraction is open to visitors for a fee of $25 (USD) per person to walk out on the Skywalk. In addition, visitors must purchase a tour package of $49.95 (USD) per person or a tour package starting at $74.95 to $199.00 (USD) per person that includes the Skywalk, as well as $10 (USD) to enter the reservation. [1][2]

The horseshoe-shaped glass walkway is suspended 1,200 meters (4,000 feet) above the floor of the canyon, a height that eclipses the world's largest skyscrapers.[3] The Skywalk is not actually above the main canyon containing the Colorado River, rather a side canyon in sight of the main canyon.[4]

Technical achievement

Skywalk protrudes 20 meters (65 feet) beyond the edge of the canyon. The walls and floor are built from glass 10.2 cm (4 inches) thick. The Skywalk is capable of holding 70 tons of weight (the equivalent of 800 people weighing 80 kg ( 175 lbs.) each), however the permitted capacity is limited to 120 persons. Visitors are provided with shoe covers to protect them from slipping and to prevent the glass floor from being scratched.

Construction began in March 2004. It was rolled onto the edge of the canyon on March 7, 2007 after passing several days of testing to replicate weather, strength and endurance conditions of its final destination. The structure was built to withstand up to 100 mph winds and a magnitude 8 earthquake.[4] Tuned mass dampers were used to minimize vibration from wind and pedestrians.

Restrictions

While cameras are allowed throughout the reservation and at all points along the tour, they are not allowed on the Skywalk itself. The tribe however does sell souvenir photos, taken by their own cameras, of visitors on the Skywalk for an additional cost.[5]

Cornerstone of a larger plan

According to Hualapai officials, the cost of the Skywalk alone will exceed $40 million.[6] Future plans for the Grand Canyon Skywalk complex include a museum, movie theater, VIP lounge, gift shop, and several restaurants including a high-end restaurant called The Skywalk Café where visitors will be able to dine outdoors at the canyon's rim. The Skywalk is the cornerstone of a larger plan by the Hualapai tribe, which it hopes will be the catalyst for a 9,000-acre development to be called Grand Canyon West: it would open up a long-inaccessible 100-mile stretch of countryside along the canyon's South Rim and include hotels, restaurants, a golf course and a cable car to ferry visitors from the canyon rim to the Colorado River.[6]

The tribe partnered with Las Vegas-based businessman David Jin to raise the money for the project.[7]

Controversy

The planning and construction of the Skywalk has caused controversy within the Hualapai tribe as well as between the tribe and outside groups.

Hualapai

Opponents within the tribe view the project as disturbing sacred ground. [7] Supporters within the tribe counter that it is an opportunity to generate much-needed cash to combat serious problems that plague the small 2,000-resident reservation, including a 50% unemployment rate, widespread alcoholism and poverty.[6] Other tribal members are happy with the Skywalk, but have expressed concern over future over-development and the potential lack of sustainability (the water used in both the development and the neighboring Grand Canyon National Park are not taken from the Colorado River but piped or trucked in from elsewhere.[6])

Environmentalists and others

People outside of the tribe, including Arizona environmental groups and former National Park officials, have expressed concern about the project's obtrusiveness in the natural environment, considering it a defacement of a national treasure. Some have suggested it is ironic that the Hualapai had argued they were the best caregivers and stewards of the Grand Canyon, and yet decided to exploit it in this way.[6] Tribal leaders counter that the 4.5 million people a year who visit the National Park portion are already overburdening an area and, further, that the tribe needs financial income. The tribe's million-acre reservation attracts approximately 200,000 visitors a year and charges for rim-side weddings and stunt jumps (including one by Robbie Knievel). The tribe made an unsuccessful foray into opening a casino which has not been able to generate sufficient income.[6]

References

  1. ^ Grand Canyon West, Hualapai tribal website
  2. ^ Grand Canyon Skywalk official website Retrieved March 23, 2007.
  3. ^ Bright, Adam M. (Thursday, May 11, 2006). "Skywalk to offer thrilling Grand Canyon view". CNN.com. Retrieved 2006-05-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ a b Mark Yost, Close to the Edge, Wall Street Journal, April 10, 2007.
  5. ^ Velotta, Richard (Friday, March 30, 2007). "Epic views, but no cameras allowed on Skywalk". In Business Las Vegas. Retrieved 2007-04-02. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ a b c d e f Julie Cart, Grand Canyon Skywalk opens deep divide, Los Angeles Times, February 11, 2007.
  7. ^ a b Grand Canyon glass Skywalk opens, BBC.com, March 20, 2007.
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