Visit to Tunguska?

[motoreiter]

I'll be riding through Russia this summer and will be as close as I've ever been to the Tunguska impact site (site of meteorite/comet/anti-matter/UFO impact in Siberia), which I've always wanted to check out. Has anyone been there?

I've heard that you have to helicopter in, but on Google maps it shows something that looks like a road.
I don't where where the road would be coming from, because it looks like it is in the middle of nowhere--hundreds of kilometers from Krasnoyarsk or any other city.

Google didn't seem to turn up any organized tours (helicopter, ATV, or otherwise). If you've been, or even looked into going, I'd appreciate any information on how to get to this place.

[m37charlie]

The prevailing theory is that a comet exploded before impact with ~10-20 megatons explosive power (all kinetic energy converted to heat plus the bit of methane ice which oxidized). Because of that there is no crater. Just a lot of trees knocked down which have been slowly rotting for 100 years. Probably even those trees are hard to see because succession vegetation has taken over (brush, alders, birch).
If you want to see a spectacular recent impact crater go to Meteor Crater in Arizona, Wolfe Creek in NT, Australia or Guelb Richat in Mauritania.

Charlie

[motoreiter]

Yeah, I know the theories and know there's no crater. I still want to see it. I just don't want to charter a helicopter to do it...

[motoreiter]

Sooo, no one on the HUBB has been to Tunguska?! Wow, I didn't think that was possible.

I'll try to send some e-mails to some local Russian tour providers and see what I can find out.

[Bill Ryder]

Put me on the list for your post trip show. I have always been intrigued by that area. I rode the St. Helens area just after the eruption there. The Russian event site would be great to visit even this long after the event.

[motoreiter]

July of this year is the 100th anniversary of the impact, so supposedly they were planning special tourist activities...but haven't seen any indication of this via google searches.

[motoreiter]

Thought I'd share a helpful response from Anatoly at SibTourGuide.com - Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, Russia guided tours, accommodation

"Tunguska is located very far away [from Krasnoyarsk], about 700-900 km. This area is not connected with the main land by roads or railroads. The only option is to fly to one of the nearest towns, such as Baikit or Vanavara. Then you will have to hire a helicopter (30000 rub/1300 USD per hour) to be able to get on the spot. Trip there is possible but will be expensive and sort of avdenture type of travel. If you have enough time and ready to spend thousands of dollars we will be happy to help you to arrange it for you. "

The "charter a helicopter" bit is a deal-killer for me. Oh well!

[Margus]

Altough these prices probably are from a tour company who take their healthy part, but keep in mind it won't get any cheaper from the helicopter side. I know few guys who've done some serious travelling in Siberia and copter prices are always getting more expensive there too when dealing directly with the local goverment w/o paying for any tour company. Silly expensive they say, the more remote areas you want to visit the more astronomical the prices grow.

Fantastic idea to visit Tunguska though, I've always fancied it too.

With lot of money, it's possible in an easy way

I know you can issue permit (you say where you're going and for how long, so if you get lost, it's possible to send a rescue helicopter with loads 'o $$$ or just to let your relatives know yer gone if you're not found) to enter Siberian remote areas to travel on your own /or with guides. But this is relatively extreme, mostly you can only travel "comfortably" around on rivers with a inflatable boat and it takes very experienced expedition-knowledged person to be physically prepared for the challange crossing the siberian swamps. Would be a trip of a lifetime though.

As always, if there's not enough conclusive scientific data, then the issue is left open for the speculations. Lot of theories still go around the event:

YouTube - Tunguska Explosion 30 July 1908

Tunguska Event Responsible For Warming Climate?

BBC News | SCI/TECH | Mystery space blast 'solved'