Walk over Niagara Falls dicey -- and pricey

NIAGARA FALLS -- Walking a high wire over Niagara Falls isn't only a dicey proposition; it turns out it's pretty pricey, too.

Daredevil Nik Wallenda estimates his history-making, U.S.-to-Canada walk by way of a cable strung over the brink will cost about $1.2 million to $1.3 million. That includes fabrication and installation of the custom-made steel wire, permits and security on both sides of the border, travel and marketing.

A deal with ABC to televise the event live during prime time Friday will offset some of his expenses, Wallenda, 33, said. "But definitely not anywhere near all of it." And the tab seems to grow by the day.

"The hard part is prices have changed and gone up," Wallenda said.

Wallenda, who lives in Sarasota, Fla., is a seventh-generation member of the Flying Wallendas.

There hasn't been much time to line up sponsors -- the date of the walk was settled only about six weeks ago -- so Wallenda is asking the public for donations.

His video on the fundraising website Indiegogo had, by midday Tuesday, raised more than $15,300 toward a $50,000 goal.