I sure as hell wouldn’t do it. Even with a safety harness. But I’m glad people do. And all the naysayers should get over themselves. This is the kind of stuff that reminds people to strive, to push, to do something awesome. It’s the spirit that all our great inventions and art come from. Crapping on that is just jealousy.
Personally, I’m impressed he could commandeer all those people and resources over such a long time. And the weather still wasn’t perfect. (There’s no such thing as perfect weather!)