Is this the most dangerous campsite in the world? (on the side of a 4,000ft cliff face)

Daily Mail ^ | May 26th 2011 | Daily Mail Reporter

[Cardhu]

For many people, a camping trip is enough to get them sweating before they've even put up a tent pole.

But for these daredevil explorers, scaling cliffs and pitching tents at the height of more than 300 double decker buses is just a normal day at the office.

Hanging precariously in tents off a 4,000ft shear cliff face, these climbers are chasing the most dangerous big wall climbs ever attempted.

As these stunning images show, the climbs can last for weeks and the explorers must set up tents on the edge of monstrous cliff faces to grab some much needed rest.

They were taken by adventure photographer Gordon Wiltsie, 57, who risks his own life to capture thrill-seeking moments.

He said: 'During this climb it was the Arctic spring so melting snow on both the summit and a ledge midway up the cliff constantly sent rocks and chunks of ice flying down.

'One the size of a car even came crashing down around us. Several times I came within inches of being hit which almost certainly would have been fatal.

'Falling objects are constantly on your mind and if you look carefully at the picture of the hanging tents, or Portaledges, you can see the camp was below an overhang ...

[Daffynition]

[Pan_Yan]

I wandered out one night to go...fell off an 8 ft retaining wall got wedged between that and a tree...cracked a rib....and pee’d all over myself

I was just going to bookmark the thread, but your post deserves a reply.

Just wow.

[Daffynition]

Greta links. Thanks!

I might try it if the outfitters leave a mint on my pillow.:)

[kidd]

I would guess that making smores around a campfire is out of the question

[Arrowhead1952]

Well, you won’t have to worry about many critters getting onto your tent.

[BigCinBigD]

I’m not sure they grasp the gravity of their situation.

[Wyatt's Torch]

Agree on Everest camp in the Death Zone. “Sleeping” at 8,000 meters where there is 1/3rd the oxygen of sea level is like sleeping on the moon.

[Lou L]

What the hell is the thinking there?

Climber: "Should we set up our camp down here, where it's flat, or climb to the top and set camp up there?"

Leader: "No, let's climb halfway up, and hang precariously from the sheer face!"

[Texas Eagle]

Camper on left: "Hey! Bill! It's your turn to go gather some fire wood."

Camper in middle: "Damn!"

[Second Amendment First]

My son has done this on several occasions while climbing El Capitan, a couple of times solo, sleeping on a portable ledge.

And he isn’t some kook. He is a PhD candidate in engineering science and nanotech researcher with a wife and two kids. I’m just thankful he isn’t into ice climbing. Granite is stable.

As to the bathroom issue, you don’t drop it, you pack it out.

[Vermont Lt]

When I was a boy scout they taught me to be sure I did not camp in an area that could become a puddle in the event of an overnight storm.

Not much chance of that happening here.

[Vermont Lt]

Oh, thats not a problem.

If I woke up in the morning and saw where I was, evacuating my bowels would not be a problem. And I would be carrying it out in my trousers.

[MortMan]

Definitely problematic for a somnambulist.

[Cardhu]

You guys are having a ball.

[Second Amendment First]

What you do have to watch for is falling objects. And if you drop something you yell “rock” to those below.

[Second Amendment First]

LOL! I have climbed up one pitch with him and rappelled down from there, and my bladder did feel a bit weak.

[Daffynition]

Just call me *Al*. ;)

[Texas Eagle]

Camper in middle: "Crap. Here comes a Park Ranger. Did you guys remember to pack our camping permits?

Camper on left: "Damn."

[Daffynition]

Vertical camping all but eliminates most night visitors.

[FourtySeven]

I’m sure they are falling all over themselves to ensure the safety of everyone involved.