Two adventurers take on Miles Canyon’s 96m highline, testing skill, balance, and courage over churning waters below.
Daredevils Take on Miles Canyon Highline
On a crisp Sunday morning, anyone strolling near the suspension bridge at Miles Canyon might have witnessed something jaw-dropping. David Martin and Hayden Griffis, along with a solo support crew, were attempting to slackline across the canyon’s basalt walls—30 meters above fast-moving water.
Griffis, 28, is a Whitehorse electrician, while Martin, 33, is a glass artist and youth program builder with the Yukon Literacy Coalition. Both have been slacklining for over a decade, but Sunday marked their first attempt over open water.
Slacklining Made Simple—Yet Dangerous
Unlike tightropes, slacklines are flexible and can be anchored almost anywhere—trees, boulders, even truck bumpers. Setting up their line took two hours, with Martin skillfully sending the two-inch-wide strap over the canyon using a fishing line. One cast was all it took.
The team secured the line with tension wraps and locked carabiners. According to Martin, the perfect slackline has a little bounce. “It’s all about balance and core strength,” he says. “Too much sway, and you’re in trouble.”
96 Meters of Nerve-Wracking Focus
Once the line was set, the two men took turns stepping carefully, one foot in front of the other. Balancing with outstretched arms, they focused on the line and the empty space below—the churning water, the swaying trees, and the gusting wind made it a mental challenge as much as a physical one.
“It’s trippy,” Martin admits. “I zone in slightly under the line, like I’m floating in space.”
Friends, Fans, and Fear
Friends and roommates watched from the canyon edge, coffees in hand, as their dogs played nearby. The feat had been in planning all summer. Prior practice took place in parks over soft grass, but nothing compares to dangling 30 meters above a canyon river.
The hardest part? Stepping off the canyon edge and trusting their balance over the fast-moving waters. When they fell, their harnesses caught them, letting them regroup and try again. The wind picked up at times, adding an extra layer of tension as onlookers cheered and clicked cameras.
A Thrilling Attempt, Yet Unfinished
After two hours, fatigue and gusting winds forced the duo to pause. Neither completed the full crossing, but the adventure was unforgettable. Martin, who’s moving to Terrace, B.C., in October, calls it perhaps the last opportunity of the season—but promises to return.
“It’s scary, exhilarating, and humbling,” Martin reflects. “But that’s exactly why we do it.
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