(Update @ 6 p.m. PT - Nik successfully crossed the first and second leggings of the Chicago tightrope walk.)
Related: Nik Wallenda Thanks God After Completing Tightrope Walk Chicago, Reveals Next Stunt (Photos, Video)
Christian daredevil Nik Wallenda, best known for death-defying walks across the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls, will tightrope untethered across the Chicago Skyline within less than an hour today, Nov. 2, 2014, with an added element of suspense - blind-folded. Discovery Channel will be live streaming the entire stunt, which can be watched online via the link below.
"This is what I love doing," Wallenda, 35, of the famed Flying Wallendas family circus act, told Inside Edition his reason for doing these high-wire walks again and again. "I've started walking when I was two. My mother was six months pregnant when she was walking the wires."
The live event will be broadcasted around the world in more than 220 countries starting at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET on Discovery. NBC News' Willie Geist and Natalie Morales and The Weather Channel's Jim Cantore will host.
The Chicago tightrope walk on high-wire will occur more than 50 stories above the Chicago River, spanning more than two city blocks, with a 15 degree incline, from Marina City's west tower to the Leo Burnett Building in the first part. The incline will start at a height of 588 feet and ending at 671 feet.
The second part, where "The King of the High Wires" will be blindfolded, will walk from Marina City's west tower to the east tower. Wallenda will not be wearing a harness at any legging of the tightrope walk.
Given the high wind situation, Wallenda said in earlier interviews that he would be training under 90 miles per hour wind gusts and in different kinds of clothes in preparation for the unpredictable weather conditions.
In addition, Wallenda said his safety crew can reach him in 90 seconds at any point on the rope, adding, "That's how I can go out there so confident as well, knowing that the cable is always a safe haven whether I'm over the streets of Chicago or in my backyard."
As a devout Christian, Wallenda said, "I always talk about encouraging others to work harder, try harder, you can accomplish anything in life. And if I just sit here and do what I have done for my entire life, and didn't push harder. then I would be a horrible role model. For me, it is about carrying on that legacy and carrying on that in a big way and pushing myself to the next level."
In June 2013, Wallenda was the first person to successfully cross the Grand Canyon on a tightrope and Discovery's live telecast broke ratings records, peaking at 13 million viewers, making it the highest-rated live event to date. As he was crossing the Arizona gorge on the tightwire, Wallenda was heard singing and praising Jesus. Prior to the walk, Wallenda had Houston Lakewood Church pastor Joel Houston offer spiritual support and led prayer for the family.
Many tweeted words of prayer for his safety and success as Wallenda crossed the gorge. "Psalms 37:23 The steps of a man are established by the LORD, and He delights in his way. #Skywire @nikwallenda," Diane Sheets tweeted.
The Wallenda Chicago River live stream can be watched online via Discovery Channel's "Skyscraper Live" at 7 p.m. EST by clicking here.
