At the bottom he collected soil samples, hoping to learn whether life can survive in such harsh conditions—and perhaps shedding light on whether life could survive similar conditions elsewhere in the universe. His harrowing plunge is featured on the National Geographic Channel series Die Trying , which airs tonight, July 16, at 10 p.
Kourounis, who's based in Toronto, talked with National Geographic about his experience in Turkmenistan. The place has always fascinated me. The story behind how it came into existence has been sort of shrouded in mystery, and there's no other place like it on Earth. It is very unique, in that there's no other place where there is this pit of burning methane that's being ejected from the ground at high pressure. It's fascinating, it's visually stunning, and there's a lot that we can learn about this place.
There was about a year and a half of preparation and planning. Getting permission, getting all the logistics in order, getting the team assembled, getting the [National Geographic] Expeditions Council on board. In order to prepare, there was a lot of practice at first.
We set up [a] rope-rigging system over a local river gorge and practiced out there several times, including with the full apparatus I was wearing: a heat-reflective suit, self-contained breathing apparatus, the climbing harness that I'm wearing. We had to get it custom-made out of Kevlar , because a regular climbing harness would just melt under the extreme heat.
I even went as far as to hire a stunt coordinator who does movie stunts for Hollywood films to light me on fire several times, in order to sort of prepare myself for not panicking being up close around flame.
When you first set eyes on the crater, it's like something out of a science fiction film. You've got this vast, sprawling desert with almost nothing there, and then there's this gaping, burning pit The heat coming off of it is scorching. The shimmer from the distortion of it warping the air around it is just amazing to watch, and when you're downwind, you get this blast of heat that is so intense that you can't even look straight into the wind.
You have to shield your face with your hand just standing at the crater's edge. Here I am thinking, Oh-kaaaay, maybe I've bitten off a bit more than I can chew. We had a couple of little tourist outfits come by. Every now and then you get a random person driving past on a motorcycle, or a truck will go past, or some camels.
But it is literally wide open. Once you're in the country, very few people go there But once you're there—if you can find the place—you can drive up, get out of your car, walk over to the edge, and jump right in, if you want.
The choice is yours. And I'm so far the only person who has actually done that. It was—"surreal" isn't a strong enough word. When you take your first step off the edge, and you finally put all your weight on that rope, you're trusting every link in that chain of technology and teamwork.
When you go out over, looking straight down, it's literally like another planet almost. At the same time there [were] so many things that I had to do, these checklists of things—checking my air, clearing the ropes, gathering samples, preparing video, all of these things—that you don't really have time to get too scared.
I mean it was scary stepping over the edge, but when you're at the bottom, it's just so beautiful. I described it as a coliseum of fire—just everywhere you look it's thousands of these small fires. The view of the flame burning in the desert is bewitching and intriguing. But not many have an idea how this wonder appeared, located in km to the north of Ashgabat city. During the drilling an accident happened, equipment and transport fell down in a big hole. No one was injured, but there was gas coming out of the hole.
Fearing that the hole would lead to the release of poisonous gases, the team decided to burn it off. It was hoped that the fire would use all the fuel within few days, but weeks, months and years passed, and it is still burning today. One of the best ways to acclimatize to local life is to spend at least one night in a traditional yurt. Camping in the desert with an unobstructed view of the fiery pit of Darvaza, under a canopy of stars is a truly unforgettable experience.
A trip to the center of Turkmenistan would not be complete without a visit to the stunning burning crater at Darvaza. With no safety rails or precautions, drive up and peer into the fiery depths at your own risk.
Get a taste of the life of a Turkmenistani nomad and explore the Karakum desert on horseback. Adventures on native Akhal Teke horses can be organized and provide a unique and authentic way to see the local landscape.
For a little respite from the desert, make the journey to mountainous and green Kaplankyr. Stretching from Ashgabat in the south to Dashoguz in the north, explore the stunning expanse of desert that covers much of Turkmenistan and characterizes its wild, unique beauty.
Explore in-depth information, experiences and highlights by navigating to specific regions using the links below on the right. This five-day journey is your chance to uncover Turkmenistan, an off-the-beaten path destination and one of the most mysterious regions of Central Asia. From a perpetually burning crater, an eerily quiet capital clad in white marble, and ancient UNESCO ruins, this guarantees to be a journey like no other.
Turn back time on this two-week tour of two amazing countries. Explore historical wonders of Tashkent and Khiva and uncover the crumbling cities of Merv and Mary and the fortress of Nissa. Camp by burning gas craters, get up close to the famous Akhal Teke horses of Turkmenistan and discover the palaces and mausoleums of mighty Emirs.
Discover the best of Turkmenistan with this nine-night, eight-day adventure tour of both cultural and natural phenomenons. From the white-marbled capital city of Ashgabat to overnight camping in the desert and everything in between, this trip will provide you with a cross-section of this unique Central Asian country.
With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
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