ZapperZ's Great Outdoors Photo Contest

[Mark44]

Here's another one that I like, taken on the 2nd day of Steve's and my Bailey Range trip (Olympic Nat'l Park) last month. We're on our way from Appleton Pass over to the start of the Bailey Range traverse. We're making our way on the trail that winds to the left here, but I asked Steve to turn around so I could get the front of him into the picture.

As you can see, the terrain is set at a fairly steep angle.

 

[Astronuc]

It's a bit breezy!
http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/outposts/post/waterfall-blown-upstream-powerful-winds/

 

[Astronuc]

For those along the west coast of the US - one can hike all or part of the Pacific Crest Trail
http://www.activelynorthwest.com/inspiration/pacific-crest-trail/

 

[OmCheeto]

For those along the west coast of the US - one can hike all or part of the Pacific Crest Trail
http://www.activelynorthwest.com/inspiration/pacific-crest-trail/

I want to know how old that guy is. I hiked 23 miles one evening*, and felt the effects for years!

But I'm a Moody Blues fan, and their phrase; "thinking is the best way to travel", has always stuck with me.
I've never had the finances to travel much, so I've always been very appreciative of the fact that people take pictures on their journeys.
I think some young person should hook up with Google Earth, and put a mini-me go-pro camera set up on a helmet.
I could watch that all day.

ps. Just listened to the song. I think they were promoting drug use. I don't promote drug use. "Faster than light, if you want to", kind of implies that they were kooks. Nice music though. But, do not take acid. Trust me... And floss...

* I was 47, and way past my hiking prime.

 

[Astronuc]

When climbing or hiking, go with someone experienced. Carry the right equipment and be prepared.

New Zealand search for Mount Cook climbers called off
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-30670959

In September 2013 - Briton dies in New Zealand's Aoraki Mount Cook National Park
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-24104939

 

[Astronuc]

Lonnie Dupre first to climb Mount McKinley solo in January
Arctic climber reaches summit at 20,237 feet in darkest, coldest time of year
http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/outposts/post/lonnie-dupre-first-climb-denali-solo-january/

January is the harshest month to climb Mt. McKinley, where winter winds regularly exceed 100 mph, temperatures drop below minus-60-degrees Fahrenheit, and the days have just six hours of sunlight.

 

[Astronuc]

BBC's 15 most amazing landscapes
http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150205-the-15-most-amazing-landforms

 

[Astronuc]

I'm going to have to figure out how to get there during winter.

https://www.yahoo.com/travel/couple-all-alone-in-a-montana-hotel-for-the-winter-110297189427.html

http://www.mghwinterkeeper.com/

 

[Astronuc]

Hello Again, Nature: National Parks You Need to Visit This Spring
https://www.yahoo.com/travel/best-national-parks-to-visit-c1427129367617.html

 

[Mark44]

Lonnie Dupre first to climb Mount McKinley solo in January
Arctic climber reaches summit at 20,237 feet in darkest, coldest time of year
http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/outposts/post/lonnie-dupre-first-climb-denali-solo-january/

January is the harshest month to climb Mt. McKinley, where winter winds regularly exceed 100 mph, temperatures drop below minus-60-degrees Fahrenheit, and the days have just six hours of sunlight.

I just finished Jon Krakauer's book, "Eiger Dreams," which was written in the late 80's I think. It's a collection of articles that appeared in various magazines. In one of the chapters he talks about a trip he made to McKinley, which many climbers rate as right up there as one of the toughest in the world. It's not as high as the big 8,000 m. Himalayan peaks, but its extreme northern latitude makes for horrendous weather any time of the year.

 

[Astronuc]

A risky pastime, but I have to do this some day.

Pioneering Climber Dean Potter Killed in Wingsuit BASE Jumping Accident

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/ng-adventure/adv-beyond-the-edge-potter

http://www.outsideonline.com/1981591/dean-potter-killed-base-jumping-accidentRIP Dean Potter, 43, and Graham Hunt, 29, who both died from impact during a wingsuit flight from Taft Point in Yosemite National Park, just after 7:30 p.m. on May 16.

 

[nsaspook]

A risky pastime, but I have to do this some day.

Pioneering Climber Dean Potter Killed in Wingsuit BASE Jumping Accident

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/ng-adventure/adv-beyond-the-edge-potter

http://www.outsideonline.com/1981591/dean-potter-killed-base-jumping-accidentRIP Dean Potter, 43, and Graham Hunt, 29, who both died from impact during a wingsuit flight from Taft Point in Yosemite National Park, just after 7:30 p.m. on May 16.

BASE jumping is illegal in all national parks, though according to those in the community, it happens often, typically at dusk or at night, when the chances of being caught by park rangers are lower. There were only four arrests for BASE jumping in national parks in 2014—coincidentally, one of those was Hunt, though the charges were dropped due to circumstantial evidence.

Gravity sucks when you break the law. I hope they put a lien on his estate for the cleanup. I feel sad for his family but not for him.

 

[nsaspook]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/more-sports/investigators-helmet-camera-captured-deadly-base-jump/ar-BBjY2lV

 

[Astronuc]

A risky pastime, but I have to do this some day.

Pioneering Climber Dean Potter Killed in Wingsuit BASE Jumping Accident

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/ng-adventure/adv-beyond-the-edge-potter

http://www.outsideonline.com/1981591/dean-potter-killed-base-jumping-accidentRIP Dean Potter, 43, and Graham Hunt, 29, who both died from impact during a wingsuit flight from Taft Point in Yosemite National Park, just after 7:30 p.m. on May 16.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/14/sports/dean-potter-final-yosemite-jump.html

 

[OCR]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dean_Potter

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wingsuit_flying

 

[Astronuc]

It looks like they misjudged the notch below Taft point.

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/...-dean-potter-dead-yosemite-2015051-story.html

 

[Borg]

El Capitan street view. I'm getting dizzy just looking at it.

 

[Astronuc]

http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/trips/best-trails/worlds-best-hikes-dream-trails/

http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/trips/best-trails/worlds-best-grail-trails/

Capilano Suspension Bridge

 

[Astronuc]

More places to go or add to the bucket list

10 Tourist-Free Adventure Destinations
https://www.yahoo.com/travel/off-the-beaten-path-10-untouched-places-to-visit-123978782319.html

#Daydream: Yosemite National Park in California
https://www.yahoo.com/travel/daydream-yosemite-national-park-in-california-124019148432.html

#Daydream: Rialto Beach in Olympic National Park, Washington
https://www.yahoo.com/travel/daydream-rialto-beach-in-olympic-national-park-123991655407.html

10 Best Road Trips in the World
https://www.yahoo.com/travel/10-best-secret-us-road-trips-124620635737.html

10 National Parks with the Best Beaches
https://www.yahoo.com/travel/10-national-parks-with-the-best-beaches-125296553577.html

 

[Astronuc]

10 Great American Hikes That (Almost) Anyone Can Do
https://www.yahoo.com/travel/10-great-american-hikes-that-almost-anyone-can-127257480077.html

Hiking information

http://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/mountsthelens/recreation/hiking

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3843476.pdf

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mountsthelens/recarea/?recid=41612

http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/PA_WIDCo...sumption&param2=STELPRDB5246982&param3=LoowitTrail#216&param4=/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb5246982.jpg

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20150326-the-glacier-born-of-fire
http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20150501-the-deadliest-volcano-in-the-continental-us

 

[Astronuc]

Kerguelen Archipelago (fr. Archipel Kerguelen) or Iles Kerguelen is one of the most isolated places on the planet.

http://www.discoverfrance.net/Colonies/Kerguelen.shtml
http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/172118/
http://www.kerguelen-voyages.com/consulter/PagePerso.asp?LangueID=1&PagePersoID=256
http://rammb.cira.colostate.edu/pro...nds-part-iii-iles-kerguelen-and-heard-island/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerguelen_Islands
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerguelen_Plateau

Visit to Kerguelen in time lapse -


kerguelen islands images

Another interesting destination in the neighborhood - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heard_Island_and_McDonald_Islands

 

[Borek]

Our trip to Germany didn't go exactly as planned, but some views around Neuschwanstein were definitely worth the hike.

 

[PeroK]

Here's a shot of the North Face of the Matterhorn, taken from the summit of the Zinalrothorn:

 

[Astronuc]

Caribbean Vacations
https://www.yahoo.com/travel/hurricane-proof-caribbean-vacations-128515955147.html

 

[DennisN]

Beautiful photo...
Waterfowl Lake in Banff National Park, Alberta / Canada

 

[nsaspook]

Oregon Coast, today.

 

[nsaspook]

Otter rock looking down to Devils Punch Bowl and the beach to Newport behind the point lighthouse in the far distance.

 

[DennisN]

Kalapana, Hawaii where the sea meets the lava

 

[Borg]

Today's APOD is pretty spectacular.

 

[Mark44]

Bull elk in the wilds of Olympic National Park, taken Thursday (9/15), on a four-day backpacking trip involving a cross-country traverse from one river valley to the next one over. After spotting this bull, we later saw that he had a harem of about a dozen cow elk. We camped just above the basin the elk were in, and we heard them bugling that evening and well into the night.

On our fourth day, clouds rolled in, with possible threatening rain. What would have been a short day over to a lake turned into a somewhat longer push. Virtually all of our traverse between the two river valleys were along elk trails, many of which led to dead ends, forcing us to backtrack and find another route. Here's a look back along one of the easier trails we were on. This part of the park is rarely visited by people, so this trail is mostly used by animals of the four-legged variety. Can you spot the trail?

As it turned out, getting out when we did was the right call. We had light rain driving home that night, and rain all day yesterday (Saturday).