Posted on 05/26/2011 5:46:37 AM PDT by 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 ...
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Those sleep cacoons should come equiped with a parachute. If they become detached from the wall, you would not be killed due to the sudden and abrupt stop at the bottom. Just hook the ripcord to a seperate piton and if you start heading down, the cord will deploy your chute for you. Just prepare for a rough landing. Better to be banged up and alive than to experience the alternative.
I know a couple of guys like that.
Maybe I married one of ‘em! ;D
*Who forgot the 1/2 & 1/2?!?!?*
Clearly NOT the most dangerous campsite in the world.
The MOST dangerous campsite would be suspended off of a 4,000ft vertical cliff in the Artic that has a giant pool of sharks below. Sharks with frickin’ lazers. :)
Is that a cliff face that is bedecked with hedge trimmers?
That’s not a motorcycle trail. That’s an idiot on a motorcycle riding on a mountain goat trail.
Perhaps, but probably not.
I know some folks who do that sort of thing. Personally, I would be willing to hike that trail, and have hiked similar many times. The key to success is twofold:
1) Become very, very good at the basic activity, be it walking on rough terrain or riding a motorcycle.
2) Learn to concentrate your mind on doing what you plan to do, rather than WORRYING about what MIGHT happen.
I’d have no problem walking it. It’s the motorcycle part that’s over the line for me. That pegs my risk/reward meter.
The guys climbing under me would hate it because my pants would be full.
I wouldn't do it, either.
I'm not nearly that good a rider. I'm fairly sure I'd have trouble with the mental focus part while riding.
And the guy way below yells up "Wha...?"
If they are always sleeping, no wonder they are losing. Wake ‘em up and get them moving. They can sleep when they get home.
Nice handlebars on that baby!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.