Daring into the abyss: Slack-liner tip-toes his way across a Romanian drain hole above a 200ft blackhole drop

By Ted Thornhill

PUBLISHED: 10:48 EST, 24 February 2014 | UPDATED: 14:35 EST, 24 February 2014

Stepping out over an abyss, this daredevil proves the best slacklining spots are not always up a mountain.

And with a drop of more than 200ft, this reservoir drain more than delivers the necessary fear factor.

Extreme sportsman Flaviu Cernescu, 31, crossed the pitch-black hole eight times in one day, describing the experience as 'mesmerising'.

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Long way down: The reservoir drain had a drop of 200 feet

Long way down: The reservoir drain had a drop of 200 feet

Flaviu Cernescu, 31, crossed the pitch-black hole eight times in one day

Flaviu Cernescu, 31, crossed the pitch-black hole eight times in one day

Daredevil: Mr Cernescu dangles upside down above the gaping hole

Daredevil: Mr Cernescu dangles upside down above the gaping hole

Just hanging around: Mr Cernescu is completely unfazed by the drop

Just hanging around: Mr Cernescu is completely unfazed by the drop

Mr Cernescu said he 'lived in the moment while walking the line' - but also enjoyed lying down on it

Mr Cernescu said he 'lived in the moment while walking the line' - but also enjoyed lying down on it

‘It was a combination of fear, wonder and excitement; I totally forgot myself,’ he said. ‘I've done technically harder lines but this one was the most psychedelic.

'The sound of water dripping inside played over the silent sounds of nature all around creating a surreal soundscape.’

 

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The 31-year-old even took his unicycle out for a spin around the rim of the funnel, at Lake Iovanu, Romania, which is designed to flush surplus water away.

He used a safety harness for the slackline walks but eventually plucked up the courage to slide out on the rope and hang free without protection.

Mr Cernescu described how the hole was so deep and dark that it wasn't possible to see the bottom

Mr Cernescu described how the hole was so deep and dark that it wasn't possible to see the bottom

Horror show: The photographs won't be easy to look at for those who suffer from vertigo

Horror show: The photographs won't be easy to look at for those who suffer from vertigo

Mr Cernescu said the sound of water dripping inside made the experience surreal

Mr Cernescu said the sound of water dripping inside made the experience surreal

The 31-year-old even took his unicycle out for a spin around the rim of the funnel

The 31-year-old even took his unicycle out for a spin around the rim of the funnel

Mr Cernescu added: ‘I didn't measure the depth of the hole but I estimate it is as high as a 20-storey building.

'It then elbows through the dam and ends wide open at the bottom of it, outside the lake. You can't see the bottom.

‘The dam itself is a pyramidal structure more than 100 meters tall and about as much wide.

‘It was an experience of all the senses. I think I really lived in the moment while walking that line.’

Hovering over an abyss, this daredevil proves the most extreme slacklining spots are not always up a mountain

Hovering over an abyss, this daredevil proves the most extreme slacklining spots are not always up a mountain

Hanging around: Mr Cernescu hangs from a slackline over the reservoir drain in Lake Iovanu

Hanging around: Mr Cernescu hangs from a slackline over the reservoir drain in Lake Iovanu

Balancing act: Extreme sportsman Mr Cernescu crosses the pitch-black hole

Balancing act: Extreme sportsman Mr Cernescu crosses the pitch-black hole

Close up: With a drop of more than 200ft, this reservoir drain more than delivers the necessary fear factor

Close up: With a drop of more than 200ft, this reservoir drain more than delivers the necessary fear factor

Making it across: Mr Cernescu performed the stunt over a reservoir drain in Romania

Making it across: Mr Cernescu performed the stunt over a reservoir drain in Romania

Comments (19)

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I wonder if the bottom of the abyss has enough water to survive a fall... then again, at that height water would be like cement anyhow.

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Not so clever when he slips.....

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When he slips the harness catches him!

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i would faint by the sight of the hole

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Makes me Ill just looking at the pics. Bonkers!

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why ...he should have fallen in and broken his neck

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Ah, hate and spite, you must be a lefty.

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aaaaaaa!!!!!!! aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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He's walking a slack line not a tight rope. I suggest you try it before you mock him. I bet you couldn't walk more than a couple of steps on a slack line. It requires strength and many hours of practice. Rock climbers use it for training leg muscles.

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Safety harness?......Big deal. Google Philippe Petit for the real thing....back in the days when men were men.

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I'd like to see what's on the other end of that. With a good safety rope, of course.

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wheres the other end of the hole?

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Somerset Levels?

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