Nik Wallenda Well Aware of High Wire Risk [VIDEO]

When daredevil Nik Wallenda attempts to walk a high wire across Niagara Falls a week from Friday, he will be well aware of the danger he faces. Wallenda is a seventh-generation daredevil from the flying Wallenda family. His grandfather fell to his death during a high-wire walk in Puerto Rico 34 years ago.

"The Great Wallendas" came to the U.S. in 1928 after achieving fame for their high-wire stunts throughout Europe. The family kept the name until 1978, the same year Karl Wallenda fell to his death while attempting a walk 121 feet above the pavement between two towers of the 10-story Condado Plaza Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

A film crew from WAPA-TV in San Juan was taping the walk when tragedy struck. The video featuring anchorman Guillermo Jose Torres' anguished narration of the fall was seen around the world.

Nik Wallenda recently conquered that same walk in his grandfather's memory. When Wallenda tries tackle the walk across the Falls, sponsors concerned about the potential for another tragic outcome have demanded he wear a tether. Wallenda, however, has said he may detach the tether during the walk if it becomes a problem. Let's hope there are no "problems."

Check out Nik Wallenda's Ingigogo site for information on how you can donate to his walk.