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Daredevil Nik Wallenda Crossed An Active Volcano On Tightrope Surrounded By Noxious Gases

Daredevil Nik Wallenda Crossed An Active Volcano On Tightrope Surrounded By Noxious Gases

The 41-year-old adrenaline junkie walked 1,800 feet over the active Masaya Volcano in Nicaragua, Central America

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

A stuntman has completed a death-defying feat by walking 1,800 feet across a tightrope elevated over an active volcano.

Nik Wallenda, 41, risked his life by crossing the Masaya Volcano in Nicaragua, Central America. It's one of only eight volcanoes in the world that has an active lava lake and generates heat of about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, or almost 1,100 degrees Celsius, according to the MailOnline.

The whole thing - which was Nik's 'longest and highest highwire walk ever attempted' - was broadcast live on ABC News.

He had to wear a gas mask and oxygen tank during the walk to protect him from toxic gases and was attached to a safety harness the whole time. Thermal cameras were also used to track him due to the conditions being so foggy.

Wallenda crossing the volcano.
ABC News

While walking across the steel highwire, Nik could smell the eggy toxic sulfur dioxide coming from the lava, which can burn eyes and lungs as well as having the potential to cause dizziness. Not what you want when you're balancing above a 60-foot drop.

Speaking to ABC before the stunt, he said: "The reality is I'm risking my life. I absolutely will look down, it's more about this beautiful piece of nature.

"For the last week I've been waking up in cold sweats because of this walk. Every step is dangerous, but I will become more and more relaxed as I get through that gas for sure.

"We're walking over a volcano with deadly poisonous gases - it adds a layer of concern. I'll be wearing goggles, [but] what if they fog up, what if they're not fixed right and my eyes start burning and I can't see - there are so many unknowns that I cannot prepare for.

"There will be everything from nerves, to excitement, a little bit of fear, a lot of respect - it's a dream."

We'd be looking up to the big man as well.
ABC News

If all that wasn't enough, Nik's wife Erendira decided to get in on the action as she performed aerial ballet over the molten lava, wearing a gas mask.

Commenting after her stunt on ABC, Erendira said: "At first I was nervous, but then I remembered 'no, this is what you do', I could hear my music and then I just calmed down."

She also described the stunt as a 'once-in-a-lifetime experience'. Hmm, we'll take her word for it. Don't try this at home, kids (if you happen to be knocking around an active volcano, that is).

Featured Image Credit: ABC News

Topics: World News, News, stunt, Weird