More El Capitan Climbers
Nov 27, 2018 12:17:59 #
raferrelljr wrote:
I'm surprised that they can get their legs around their nads?
Interesting comment, especially when you consider the fact that these climbers are suspended in climbing harnesses for three days. Thanks for the visit.
Nov 27, 2018 12:19:22 #
PhotoPhred wrote:
Excellent photos, I get dizzy and nauseous just looking at them.
Thanks for the kind comment PhotoPhred! Me too.
Nov 27, 2018 12:26:37 #
merrytexan wrote:
I enjoyed your narative, and the downloads are amazing! the climbers are amazingly brave people doing what they like to do. 
Thanks Merry! Fortunately these folks combine skill, knowledge and strength with thier courage or we would be hearing many tragic stories form Yosemite.
Nov 27, 2018 12:33:39 #
Eddy Vortex wrote:
So once you climb to the top....how do you get back down? (seriously)
There are less technical and demanding trails down to the valley floor. Some do choose to repel down, two climbers lost thier lives at the beginning of this climbing season doing that.
Nov 27, 2018 12:59:59 #
samantha90 wrote:
Don't look down..OMG! this scares me to death just thinking about being there.
Thanks for the visit Samantha, imagine spending a night or two on a hanging platform...two thousand feet above the valley floor! Gives me the willies too!!!
Nov 27, 2018 13:04:18 #
Anvil wrote:
I enjoyed these shots, quite a bit. They made me want to hold onto something, to keep from tumbling. Nice work!
Thanks Jim! I have the same response, I have learned to photograph these folks while I am sitting in a chair, just looking up can cause me to fall over!
Phil
Nov 27, 2018 13:06:11 #
philo wrote:
i get dizzy just think about and looking at the images. i get dizzy just standing on the edge of a cliff and looking down.
Me too philo, me too! This storm system will end this year's climbing season, and hopefully our terrible fire season.
Nov 27, 2018 15:16:37 #
rockdog wrote:
In a recent topic I posted shots of climbers on a ... (show quote)
Superb photos, very nicely done.....and it proves one thing, Darwin is alive and well...
Nov 27, 2018 15:40:13 #
ewelling
Loc: Salt Lake City, UT
For an incredible perspective, wonderful videography, discussion among videographers trying to document the El Capitan Free Solo climb by Alex Honnold, see "Free Solo." Not only was the videography incredible, but to capture the person who attempted the "never-been-done-before" climb is memorable. Alex Honnold climbed El Capitan without ropes and by himself in a single day. An unbelievable feat for a gifted - although some may say - "crazy" athlete. The discussion among the videographers of the ethics of filming their friend as he potentially falls through their frames to his death is captivating and troubling. Beautiful filmed documentary still in some theaters.
Nov 27, 2018 16:32:59 #
PhotoPhred wrote:
I saw a documentary of these 2 guys who climbed up then they put on those wing suits, I'm not sure what they are called, then they jumped off. You have to be a serious adrenaline junkie.
Thanks for the comment. The wing suit guys have a very different skill set and to be a big wall climber and a suit flier is a rare thing!
Nov 27, 2018 16:59:08 #
AzPicLady wrote:
These are very interesting images. When I watch climbers or look at pictures, I have all sorts of questions. Like, how did these guys get down if it took them all day to get up. Do they then camp on top and return the next day? Is there another way down? And how do they get their ropes there to hang onto? Are they already there? I don't see them when looking at the cliff face. And what are the ropes fastened to?
I appreciate your interest Kathy! Most climbing parties require two or three days to "summit" and they spend one or two nights suspended in place usually on folding platforms anchored to the wall. There are many existing anchors (often bolts that have been drilled into place) and even some ropes that have been left by previous climbers. A line that has been left in place for more than one season becomes untrustworthy and most climbers prefer to place thier own anchors and lines and many remove the anchors as they progress upward, this is know as clean climbing. Now for the more than you wanted to know part; they are required to carry everything, garbage and human waste, to the top and back down....that is the small bucket you see hanging at the end of thier gear line. Falling out of bed takes on a very different meaning here!
Nov 27, 2018 17:05:56 #
phv wrote:
Great captures! It’s an incredible sport!
Thank you, I appreciate your kind comment. It is an incredible sport.
Phil
Nov 27, 2018 17:11:57 #
vicksart wrote:
Thanks for sharing this interesting and well shot set Phil. I just can't imagine doing this.
Thank you Vicky! It defies my imagination too and I have spent a lot of time watching these folks. I appreciate your comment.
Nov 27, 2018 17:15:08 #
Blaster34 wrote:
Superb photos, very nicely done.....and it proves one thing, Darwin is alive and well...
Thanks for the kind comment Blaster! There has never been a shortage folks willing to aid the natural selection process.
Nov 27, 2018 17:26:17 #
ewelling wrote:
For an incredible perspective, wonderful videograp... (show quote)
Thanks for the comment ewilling. Alex Honnold's free climbs are truly amazing and yes, the push for faster and more exciting film subject matter is a troubling ethical issue. We may be heading into "snuff film" territory here, I hope it not Alex!
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