Show Navigation

Search Results

Refine Search
Match all words
Match any word
Prints
Personal Use
Royalty-Free
Rights-Managed
(leave unchecked to
search all images)
{ 620 images found }

Loading ()...

  • A solo hiker walks atop the Pulpit Rock (Prekestolen) 1959 feet above a car ferry on Lysefjord, Forsand municipality, Rogaland county, Ryfylke traditional district, Norway, Europe. The nearest city is Jørpeland, in Strand municipality. Published in Wilderness Travel Catalog of Adventures 1998, 1996, 1988. Winner of "Honorable Mention, Photo Travel Division" in Photographic Society of America (PSA) Inter-Club Slide Competition May 1988. Published 2009 on a commercial web site in Amsterdam. Published in "Light Travel: Photography on the Go" book by Tom Dempsey 2009, 2010.
    81NOR-08-14-The-Pulpit_Prekestolen.jpg
  • Surprisingly young children climb and rappel (abseil) while harnessed and roped on a practice wall in downtown Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Europe. Afternoon sun rays burst through clouds over the Ampezzo Dolomites. Cortina's parish church, the Basilica dei Santi Filippo e Giacomo, was built 1769-1775, and the new belltower was built 69.50 metres high in 1852-58. The mountain town of Cortina d'Ampezzo (Ladin: Anpëz, German: Hayden, at 1224 meters/4016 feet elevation) is surrounded by the Dolomites (Dolomiti, a part of the Southern Limestone Alps) at the top of Valle del Boite in the Province of Belluno, Veneto region, Italy. This ski resort hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009.
    13ITA2-7020.jpg
  • Surprisingly young children climb and rappel (abseil) while harnessed and roped on a practice wall in downtown Cortina d'Ampezzo, in the Dolomites mountains, Italy, Europe. The mountain town of Cortina d'Ampezzo (Ladin: Anpëz, German: Hayden, at 1224 meters/4016 feet elevation) is surrounded by the Dolomites (Dolomiti, a part of the Southern Limestone Alps) at the top of Valle del Boite in the Province of Belluno, Veneto region, Italy. This ski resort hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009.
    13ITA2-6364.jpg
  • Trekkers climb a steep stone stairway towards Chomrong (Chhomrong, Chhomrung, or Chhumro), in the Annapurna Range, in Nepal.
    07NEP-1804.jpg
  • Moor a motorboat and climb steep sandstone to Three Roof Ruin, located 14 miles up the Escalante River Arm of Lake Powell, in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah, USA.
    00SW-05-07-Three-Roof-Ruin_Glen-Cany...jpg
  • Surprisingly young children climb and rappel (abseil) while harnessed and roped on a practice wall in downtown Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Europe. Afternoon sun rays burst through clouds over the Ampezzo Dolomites. The mountain town of Cortina d'Ampezzo (Ladin: Anpëz, German: Hayden, at 1224 meters/4016 feet elevation) is surrounded by the Dolomites (Dolomiti, a part of the Southern Limestone Alps) at the top of Valle del Boite in the Province of Belluno, Veneto region, Italy. This ski resort hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009. This panorama was stitched from 3 overlapping photos.
    13ITA2-7006-08pan.jpg
  • Surprisingly young children climb and rappel (abseil) while harnessed and roped on a practice wall in downtown Cortina d'Ampezzo, in the Dolomites mountains, Italy, Europe. The mountain town of Cortina d'Ampezzo (Ladin: Anpëz, German: Hayden, at 1224 meters/4016 feet elevation) is surrounded by the Dolomites (Dolomiti, a part of the Southern Limestone Alps) at the top of Valle del Boite in the Province of Belluno, Veneto region, Italy. This ski resort hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009.
    13ITA2-6359.jpg
  • Before dawn, we climb the side of Gokyo Ri for this view of Third Gokyo Lake (Dudh Pokhari, 15,584 feet / 4750 meters), in Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal, in the Himalaya mountain range of Asia. Sagarmatha National Park was created in 1976 and honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
    07NEP-4249.jpg
  • Many hairpin turns climb Pordoi Pass on state highway 48 (Grand Strader delle Dolomiti) from Canazei village, in Val di Fassa (Ladin: Val de Fascia), Dolomites, Italy, Europe. Above the Fassa Valley rises the Rosengarten/Catinaccio Group. Pordoi Pass (or Pordoijoch, 2239 meters/7346 feet) is the highest surfaced road traversing a pass in the Dolomites. The Dolomites are part of the Southern Limestone Alps, in Europe. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009.
    13ITA-20648_Pordoi-Pass_Fassa-Valley.jpg
  • Hikers ascend Enchanted Rock. Explore a large pink granite dome at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, between Fredericksburg and Llano, Texas, USA. Enchanted Rock is a fascinating exfoliation dome (with layers like an onion), rising 425 feet (130 m) above its surroundings to elevation of 1825 feet (556 m) above sea level, in the Llano Uplift. Geologically, the exposed rock (monadnock or inselberg, "island mountain") is part of a pluton (bubble of rock slowly crystallized from magma) within the billion-year-old igneous batholith, Town Mountain Granite (covering 62 square miles mostly underground), which intruded from a deep pool of hot magma 7 miles upwards into the older metamorphic Packsaddle Schist. The overlying sedimentary rock (Cretaceous Edwards limestone) eroded away to expose the prominent domes seen today: Enchanted Rock, Little Rock, Turkey Peak, Freshman Mountain, and Buzzard's Roost. This panorama was stitched from 5 overlapping photos.
    1403TX-211-215pan_Enchanted-Rock_Tex...jpg
  • On the left is Annapurna South (23,684 feet / 7219 meters), above a corn field at Ghandruk village (or Ghandrung, 6530 feet), in the Annapurna Range of Nepal. On the right is Machhapuchhare (or Machhapuchhre), the Fish Tail Mountain (22,943 feet / 6997 meters elevation) a sacred peak, illegal to climb. Annapurna South (also known as Annapurna Dakshin, or Moditse) was first climbed in 1964 by a Japanese expedition, via the North Ridge. Annapurna is Sanskrit for "Goddess of the Harvests." In Hinduism, Annapurna is a goddess of fertility and agriculture and an avatar of Durga. The panorama was stitched from 2 overlapping photos.
    07NEP-2817-18pan_Annapurna-South.jpg
  • Trekkers ascend steep stone steps up to Chomrong (alternative spellings Chhomrong, Chhomrung, Chhumro; 7250 feet elevation) in the Annapurna Conservation Area of Nepal.
    07NEP-2719.jpg
  • Ancient trees on a Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route. Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine was built in homage to Nachi-no-Taki waterfall's kami (spirit god). Don't miss the iconic view of thundering Nachi-no-Taki waterfall (133m, Japan's tallest) paired with Seigantoji pagoda, in Nachikatsuura, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine fuses Buddhist and Shinto influences along the 1000+ year pilgrimage routes of Kumano Kodo. The "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range" form an impressive entry on UNESCO's List of World Heritage Sites. Access: by bus from Nachi Station (20 min) or Kii-Katsuura Station (30 min). Ask driver to stop at base of the Daimonzaka trail ("Daimonzaka" stop); or at the entrance to Nachi Waterfall ("Taki-mae"); or at the bus terminus 10 minutes climb below Nachi Shrine ("Nachi-san"). Cars can park at Seigantoji Temple. I recommend this remarkably scenic, short walk (3.5 km with 265 meters gain): starting from Daimon-zaka bus stop, ascend a stone-paved path, humbled by massive evergreens, up to the gates of Nachi Taisha shrine; then descend to the falls, at Taki-mae bus stop.
    1810JPN-5645.jpg
  • Irish River or Vaughan Creek #1 Covered Bridge was built in 1935 in picturesque St. Martins, in Saint John County, New Brunswick, Canada. The lighthouse building was built in 1983 to display the lantern room from the 1883 Quaco Head Lighthouse and to serve as a Visitor Information Center in St. Martins. Climb to the lantern to view the harbour and two historic covered bridges. Observe the extreme tides of Bay of Fundy lifting fishing boats near the bridge. Drive through the covered bridge and go 7 km on Big Salmon River Road to reach the start of the Fundy Trail Parkway, a 16 kilometer auto route along the Fundy coast ending at Big Salmon River, a former lumbering center. Bay of Fundy has the highest tidal range in the world, due to a resonance of being just the right length (270 km) matching the gravitational pushing cycle of the Moon that causes the tides. Coincidentally, the time it takes a large wave to go from the mouth of the bay to the inner shore and back is practically the same as the time from one high tide to the next. (You can see the effect of resonance for yourself by steadily pushing a long pan of water back and forth: an optimal pushing frequency for a given pan length will build up a high wave of water which sloshes out; but pushing too fast or too slow won't build up the big wave.) Two high tides occur per day, one when the ocean side is nearest the Moon, and one on the side of the Earth most distant from the Moon, about 12 hours and 25 minutes from one high tide to the next. The Bay of Fundy is on the Atlantic coast of North America, on the northeast end of the Gulf of Maine between the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. St. Martins (2006 population: 386) is 40 km east of Saint John. St. Martins (originally known as Quaco) was founded by Loyalists in 1783. Its important 1800s shipbuilding center faded, leaving tourism as today's major industry.
    1410CAN-307_St-Martins.jpg
  • Nevado Kuajadajanka rises to 17,800 feet elevation in the Cordillera Raura, Andes Mountains, Peru, South America. The source of the Amazon River lies on the east side of the Cordillera Raura (on the other side of the mountains in this photo), as determined by the Royal Geographical Society in 1950: the tiny glacial lake Laguna Niñococha feeds Rio Lauricocha, then Rio Marañon, then the Amazon. To reach the source of the Amazon, trekkers can depart from the regular Huayhuash circuit near Huayhuash village on Day 7, go eastwards to Caquish, wade across Rio Lauricocha, climb to Laguna Niñococha and finish at the mining town of Mina Raura, on the road head to Churin and Lima (8 days total from Chiquian). Or instead, hike a complete Huayhuash loop (11 days) or other worthwhile variations.
    03PER-40-24-Cordillera-Raura.jpg
  • Machhapuchhre (or Machhapuchhare), the Fish Tail Mountain (22,943 feet / 6997 meters elevation) a sacred peak, illegal to climb. This view is from the trail upstream from Bamboo, in the Annapurna Range of Nepal.
    07NEP-2078.jpg
  • Castaño Overo Glacier. Cerro Tronador is an extinct stratovolcano in the southern Andes, near Bariloche, in the Lake District of Argentina. The sound of falling seracs gave it the name Tronador, Spanish for "Thunderer." With an altitude of 3470 m, Tronador stands more than 1000 meters above nearby mountains in the Andean massif, making it a popular climb in Patagonia, South America. Located inside two National Parks, Nahuel Huapi in Argentina and Vicente Pérez Rosales in Chile, Tronador hosts eight glaciers, which are retreating due to warming of the upper troposphere.
    2002PAT-0083.jpg
  • Castaño Overo Glacier. Cerro Tronador is an extinct stratovolcano in the southern Andes, near Bariloche, in the Lake District of Argentina. The sound of falling seracs gave it the name Tronador, Spanish for "Thunderer." With an altitude of 3470 m, Tronador stands more than 1000 meters above nearby mountains in the Andean massif, making it a popular climb in Patagonia, South America. Located inside two National Parks, Nahuel Huapi in Argentina and Vicente Pérez Rosales in Chile, Tronador hosts eight glaciers, which are retreating due to warming of the upper troposphere.
    2002PAT-0051.jpg
  • Saddle horses on the trail at Cerro Tronador, an extinct stratovolcano in the southern Andes, near Bariloche, in the Lake District of Argentina. The sound of falling seracs gave it the name Tronador, Spanish for "Thunderer." With an altitude of 3470 m, Tronador stands more than 1000 meters above nearby mountains in the Andean massif, making it a popular climb in Patagonia, South America. Located inside two National Parks, Nahuel Huapi in Argentina and Vicente Pérez Rosales in Chile, Tronador hosts eight glaciers, which are retreating due to warming of the upper troposphere.
    2002PAT-0019.jpg
  • Nahuel Huapi National Park, Tronador Section sign, Pampa Linda, Argentina, South America. Cerro Tronador is an extinct stratovolcano in the southern Andes, near Bariloche, in the Lake District of Argentina. The sound of falling seracs gave it the name Tronador, Spanish for "Thunderer." With an altitude of 3470 m, Tronador stands more than 1000 meters above nearby mountains in the Andean massif, making it a popular climb. Tronador hosts eight glaciers, which are retreating due to warming of the upper troposphere.
    2002PAT-0189.jpg
  • See multiple waterfalls plunge from Castaño Overo Glacier at Mirador Castaño Overo on Cerro Tronador, an extinct stratovolcano in the southern Andes, near Bariloche, in the Lake District of Argentina, in Patagonia, South America. This viewpoint from a side trail is marked as "Castaño Overo 1 Hour", an easy side trip from the longer path to Otto Meiling Refuge. The sound of falling seracs inspired the name Tronador, Spanish for "Thunderer." With an altitude of 3470 m, Tronador stands more than 1000 meters above nearby mountains in the Andean massif, making it a popular climb in Patagonia, South America. Located inside two National Parks, Nahuel Huapi in Argentina and Vicente Pérez Rosales in Chile, Tronador hosts eight glaciers, which are retreating due to warming of the upper troposphere.
    2002PAT-0180.jpg
  • See multiple waterfalls plunge from Castaño Overo Glacier at Mirador Castaño Overo on Cerro Tronador, an extinct stratovolcano in the southern Andes, near Bariloche, in the Lake District of Argentina, in Patagonia, South America. This viewpoint from a side trail is marked as "Castaño Overo 1 Hour", an easy side trip from the longer path to Otto Meiling Refuge. The sound of falling seracs inspired the name Tronador, Spanish for "Thunderer." With an altitude of 3470 m, Tronador stands more than 1000 meters above nearby mountains in the Andean massif, making it a popular climb in Patagonia, South America. Located inside two National Parks, Nahuel Huapi in Argentina and Vicente Pérez Rosales in Chile, Tronador hosts eight glaciers, which are retreating due to warming of the upper troposphere.
    2002PAT-0172.jpg
  • See multiple waterfalls plunge from Castaño Overo Glacier at Mirador Castaño Overo on Cerro Tronador, an extinct stratovolcano in the southern Andes, near Bariloche, in the Lake District of Argentina, in Patagonia, South America. This viewpoint from a side trail is marked as "Castaño Overo 1 Hour", an easy side trip from the longer path to Otto Meiling Refuge. The sound of falling seracs inspired the name Tronador, Spanish for "Thunderer." With an altitude of 3470 m, Tronador stands more than 1000 meters above nearby mountains in the Andean massif, making it a popular climb in Patagonia, South America. Located inside two National Parks, Nahuel Huapi in Argentina and Vicente Pérez Rosales in Chile, Tronador hosts eight glaciers, which are retreating due to warming of the upper troposphere. To license this Copyright photo, please inquire at PhotoSeek.com.
    2002PAT-0178.jpg
  • See multiple waterfalls plunge from Castaño Overo Glacier at Mirador Castaño Overo on Cerro Tronador, an extinct stratovolcano in the southern Andes, near Bariloche, in the Lake District of Argentina, in Patagonia, South America. This viewpoint from a side trail is marked as "Castaño Overo 1 Hour", an easy side trip from the longer path to Otto Meiling Refuge. The sound of falling seracs inspired the name Tronador, Spanish for "Thunderer." With an altitude of 3470 m, Tronador stands more than 1000 meters above nearby mountains in the Andean massif, making it a popular climb in Patagonia, South America. Located inside two National Parks, Nahuel Huapi in Argentina and Vicente Pérez Rosales in Chile, Tronador hosts eight glaciers, which are retreating due to warming of the upper troposphere.
    2002PAT-0167.jpg
  • See multiple waterfalls plunge from Castaño Overo Glacier at Mirador Castaño Overo on Cerro Tronador, an extinct stratovolcano in the southern Andes, near Bariloche, in the Lake District of Argentina, in Patagonia, South America. This viewpoint from a side trail is marked as "Castaño Overo 1 Hour", an easy side trip from the longer path to Otto Meiling Refuge. The sound of falling seracs inspired the name Tronador, Spanish for "Thunderer." With an altitude of 3470 m, Tronador stands more than 1000 meters above nearby mountains in the Andean massif, making it a popular climb in Patagonia, South America. Located inside two National Parks, Nahuel Huapi in Argentina and Vicente Pérez Rosales in Chile, Tronador hosts eight glaciers, which are retreating due to warming of the upper troposphere.
    2002PAT-0170.jpg
  • A black caterpillar with white and orange stripes and yellow hairs. Pampa Linda, Nahuel Huapi NP, Lake District, Argentina, South America. Cerro Tronador is an extinct stratovolcano in the southern Andes, near Bariloche, in the Lake District of Argentina. The sound of falling seracs gave it the name Tronador, Spanish for "Thunderer." With an altitude of 3470 m, Tronador stands more than 1000 meters above nearby mountains in the Andean massif, making it a popular climb in Patagonia, South America. Located inside two National Parks, Nahuel Huapi in Argentina and Vicente Pérez Rosales in Chile, Tronador hosts eight glaciers, which are retreating due to warming of the upper troposphere.
    2002PAT-0165.jpg
  • Multiple waterfalls plunge from Castaño Overo Glacier on Cerro Tronador, an extinct stratovolcano in the southern Andes, near Bariloche, in the Lake District of Argentina, in Patagonia, South America. Seen from the trail to Otto Meiling Refuge. The sound of falling seracs inspired the name Tronador, Spanish for "Thunderer." With an altitude of 3470 m, Tronador stands more than 1000 meters above nearby mountains in the Andean massif, making it a popular climb in Patagonia, South America. Located inside two National Parks, Nahuel Huapi in Argentina and Vicente Pérez Rosales in Chile, Tronador hosts eight glaciers, which are retreating due to warming of the upper troposphere.
    2002PAT-0156.jpg
  • Multiple waterfalls plunge from Castaño Overo Glacier on Cerro Tronador, an extinct stratovolcano in the southern Andes, near Bariloche, in the Lake District of Argentina, in Patagonia, South America. Seen from the trail to Otto Meiling Refuge. The sound of falling seracs inspired the name Tronador, Spanish for "Thunderer." With an altitude of 3470 m, Tronador stands more than 1000 meters above nearby mountains in the Andean massif, making it a popular climb in Patagonia, South America. Located inside two National Parks, Nahuel Huapi in Argentina and Vicente Pérez Rosales in Chile, Tronador hosts eight glaciers, which are retreating due to warming of the upper troposphere.
    2002PAT-0154.jpg
  • Trekkers descend from Otto Meiling Refuge towards Pampa Linda in Rio Manso Valley. Cerro Tronador is an extinct stratovolcano in the southern Andes, near Bariloche, in the Lake District of Argentina. The sound of falling seracs gave it the name Tronador, Spanish for "Thunderer." With an altitude of 3470 m, Tronador stands more than 1000 meters above nearby mountains in the Andean massif, making it a popular climb in Patagonia, South America. Located inside two National Parks, Nahuel Huapi in Argentina and Vicente Pérez Rosales in Chile, Tronador hosts eight glaciers, which are retreating due to warming of the upper troposphere.
    2002PAT-0146.jpg
  • Alerce Glacier. Cerro Tronador is an extinct stratovolcano in the southern Andes, near Bariloche, in the Lake District of Argentina. The sound of falling seracs gave it the name Tronador, Spanish for "Thunderer." With an altitude of 3470 m, Tronador stands more than 1000 meters above nearby mountains in the Andean massif, making it a popular climb in Patagonia, South America. Located inside two National Parks, Nahuel Huapi in Argentina and Vicente Pérez Rosales in Chile, Tronador hosts eight glaciers, which are retreating due to warming of the upper troposphere.
    2002PAT-0143.jpg
  • Scenes from Refugio Otto Meiling. Cerro Tronador is an extinct stratovolcano in the southern Andes, near Bariloche, in the Lake District of Argentina. The sound of falling seracs gave it the name Tronador, Spanish for "Thunderer." With an altitude of 3470 m, Tronador stands more than 1000 meters above nearby mountains in the Andean massif, making it a popular climb in Patagonia, South America. Located inside two National Parks, Nahuel Huapi in Argentina and Vicente Pérez Rosales in Chile, Tronador hosts eight glaciers, which are retreating due to warming of the upper troposphere.
    2002PAT-0137.jpg
  • Andes view north from Otto Meiling Refuge. Cerro Tronador is an extinct stratovolcano in the southern Andes, near Bariloche, in the Lake District of Argentina. The sound of falling seracs gave it the name Tronador, Spanish for "Thunderer." With an altitude of 3470 m, Tronador stands more than 1000 meters above nearby mountains in the Andean massif, making it a popular climb in Patagonia, South America. Located inside two National Parks, Nahuel Huapi in Argentina and Vicente Pérez Rosales in Chile, Tronador hosts eight glaciers, which are retreating due to warming of the upper troposphere.
    2002PAT-0107.jpg
  • Scenes from Refugio Otto Meiling. Cerro Tronador is an extinct stratovolcano in the southern Andes, near Bariloche, in the Lake District of Argentina. The sound of falling seracs gave it the name Tronador, Spanish for "Thunderer." With an altitude of 3470 m, Tronador stands more than 1000 meters above nearby mountains in the Andean massif, making it a popular climb in Patagonia, South America. Located inside two National Parks, Nahuel Huapi in Argentina and Vicente Pérez Rosales in Chile, Tronador hosts eight glaciers, which are retreating due to warming of the upper troposphere.
    2002PAT-0115.jpg
  • Sunset shines on the red-orange sandstone of Skyline Arch at Devils Garden Campground, Arches National Park, Moab, Utah, USA. Three visitors climb up and stand in the arch. A thick underground salt bed underlies the creation of the park's many arches, spires, balanced rocks, sandstone fins, and eroded monoliths. Some 300 million years ago, a sea flowed into the area and eventually evaporated to create the salt bed up to thousands of feet thick. Over millions of years, the salt bed was covered with debris eroded from the Uncompahgre Uplift to the northeast. During the Early Jurassic (about 210 million years ago) desert conditions deposited the vast Navajo Sandstone. On top of that, about 140 million years ago, the Entrada Sandstone was deposited from stream and windblown sediments. Later, over 5000 feet (1500 m) of younger sediments were deposited and then mostly worn away, leaving the park's arches eroded mostly within the Entrada formation.
    1909US1-8304.jpg
  • Seiganto-ji (Temple of the Blue Waves) is a Tendai Buddhist temple within the Kumano Sanzan shrine complex, in Nachikatsuura, on the Kii Peninsula, on the island of Honshu, Japan. Don't miss the iconic view of thundering Nachi-no-Taki waterfall (133 m, Japan's tallest) paired with Seiganto-ji pagoda. According to a legend, it was founded (near a previous nature worship site) by the priest Ragyo Shonin, a monk from India. Seiganto-ji is part of the Kumano Sanzan shrine complex and is one of the few jingu-ji still in existence after the separation of Shinto and Buddhism forced by the Japanese government during the Meiji restoration. Seiganto-ji is is stop #1 on Kansai Kannon Pilgrimage, and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site listed as the "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range". Access: by bus from Nachi Station (20 min) or Kii-Katsuura Station (30 min). Ask driver to stop at base of the Daimonzaka trail ("Daimonzaka" stop); or at the entrance to Nachi Waterfall ("Taki-mae"); or at the bus terminus 10 minutes climb below Nachi Shrine ("Nachi-san"). Cars can park at Seigantoji Temple. I recommend this scenic, short walk (3.5 km with 265 meters gain): starting from Daimon-zaka bus stop, ascend a stone-paved path, humbled by massive evergreens, up to the gates of Nachi Taisha shrine, descend to Seiganto-ji pagoda, then to the falls, just below Taki-mae bus stop.
    1810JPN-5727.jpg
  • Seiganto-ji (Temple of the Blue Waves) is a Tendai Buddhist temple within the Kumano Sanzan shrine complex, in Nachikatsuura, on the Kii Peninsula, on the island of Honshu, Japan. Don't miss the iconic view of thundering Nachi-no-Taki waterfall (133 m, Japan's tallest) paired with Seiganto-ji pagoda. According to a legend, it was founded (near a previous nature worship site) by the priest Ragyo Shonin, a monk from India. Seiganto-ji is part of the Kumano Sanzan shrine complex and is one of the few jingu-ji still in existence after the separation of Shinto and Buddhism forced by the Japanese government during the Meiji restoration. Seiganto-ji is is stop #1 on Kansai Kannon Pilgrimage, and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site listed as the "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range". Access: by bus from Nachi Station (20 min) or Kii-Katsuura Station (30 min). Ask driver to stop at base of the Daimonzaka trail ("Daimonzaka" stop); or at the entrance to Nachi Waterfall ("Taki-mae"); or at the bus terminus 10 minutes climb below Nachi Shrine ("Nachi-san"). Cars can park at Seigantoji Temple. I recommend this scenic, short walk (3.5 km with 265 meters gain): starting from Daimon-zaka bus stop, ascend a stone-paved path, humbled by massive evergreens, up to the gates of Nachi Taisha shrine, descend to Seiganto-ji pagoda, then to the falls, just below Taki-mae bus stop.
    1810JPN-5726.jpg
  • Seiganto-ji (Temple of the Blue Waves) is a Tendai Buddhist temple within the Kumano Sanzan shrine complex, in Nachikatsuura, on the Kii Peninsula, on the island of Honshu, Japan. Don't miss the iconic view of thundering Nachi-no-Taki waterfall (133 m, Japan's tallest) paired with Seiganto-ji pagoda. According to a legend, it was founded (near a previous nature worship site) by the priest Ragyo Shonin, a monk from India. Seiganto-ji is part of the Kumano Sanzan shrine complex and is one of the few jingu-ji still in existence after the separation of Shinto and Buddhism forced by the Japanese government during the Meiji restoration. Seiganto-ji is is stop #1 on Kansai Kannon Pilgrimage, and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site listed as the "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range". Access: by bus from Nachi Station (20 min) or Kii-Katsuura Station (30 min). Ask driver to stop at base of the Daimonzaka trail ("Daimonzaka" stop); or at the entrance to Nachi Waterfall ("Taki-mae"); or at the bus terminus 10 minutes climb below Nachi Shrine ("Nachi-san"). Cars can park at Seigantoji Temple. I recommend this scenic, short walk (3.5 km with 265 meters gain): starting from Daimon-zaka bus stop, ascend a stone-paved path, humbled by massive evergreens, up to the gates of Nachi Taisha shrine, descend to Seiganto-ji pagoda, then to the falls, just below Taki-mae bus stop.
    1810JPN-5743.jpg
  • One of many buildings at Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine, in Nachikatsuura, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture, on the Kii Peninsula, Honshu, Japan. Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine was built in homage to Nachi-no-Taki waterfall's kami (spirit god). Don't miss the iconic view of thundering Nachi-no-Taki waterfall (133 m, Japan's tallest) paired with Seiganto-ji pagoda. Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine fuses Buddhist and Shinto influences along the 1000+ year pilgrimage routes of Kumano Kodo. For most of their history, the Buddhist Seiganto-ji and Shinto Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine functioned as one religious institution. The "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range" form an impressive entry on UNESCO's List of World Heritage Sites. Access: by bus from Nachi Station (20 min) or Kii-Katsuura Station (30 min). Ask driver to stop at base of the Daimonzaka trail ("Daimonzaka" stop); or at the entrance to Nachi Waterfall ("Taki-mae"); or at the bus terminus 10 minutes climb below Nachi Shrine ("Nachi-san"). Cars can park at Seigantoji Temple. I recommend this remarkably scenic, short walk (3.5 km with 265 meters gain): starting from Daimon-zaka bus stop, ascend a stone-paved path, humbled by massive evergreens, up to the gates of Nachi Taisha shrine, descend to Seiganto-ji pagoda, then to the falls, just below Taki-mae bus stop.
    1810JPN-5717.jpg
  • Tom & Carol on a Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route. Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine was built in homage to Nachi-no-Taki waterfall's kami (spirit god). Don't miss the iconic view of thundering Nachi-no-Taki waterfall (133m, Japan's tallest) paired with Seigantoji pagoda, in Nachikatsuura, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine fuses Buddhist and Shinto influences along the 1000+ year pilgrimage routes of Kumano Kodo. The "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range" form an impressive entry on UNESCO's List of World Heritage Sites. Access: by bus from Nachi Station (20 min) or Kii-Katsuura Station (30 min). Ask driver to stop at base of the Daimonzaka trail ("Daimonzaka" stop); or at the entrance to Nachi Waterfall ("Taki-mae"); or at the bus terminus 10 minutes climb below Nachi Shrine ("Nachi-san"). Cars can park at Seigantoji Temple. I recommend this remarkably scenic, short walk (3.5 km with 265 meters gain): starting from Daimon-zaka bus stop, ascend a stone-paved path, humbled by massive evergreens, up to the gates of Nachi Taisha shrine; then descend to the falls, at Taki-mae bus stop.  To license this Copyright photo, please inquire at PhotoSeek.com.
    1810JP2-202.jpg
  • Ancient trees on a Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route. Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine was built in homage to Nachi-no-Taki waterfall's kami (spirit god). Don't miss the iconic view of thundering Nachi-no-Taki waterfall (133m, Japan's tallest) paired with Seigantoji pagoda, in Nachikatsuura, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine fuses Buddhist and Shinto influences along the 1000+ year pilgrimage routes of Kumano Kodo. The "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range" form an impressive entry on UNESCO's List of World Heritage Sites. Access: by bus from Nachi Station (20 min) or Kii-Katsuura Station (30 min). Ask driver to stop at base of the Daimonzaka trail ("Daimonzaka" stop); or at the entrance to Nachi Waterfall ("Taki-mae"); or at the bus terminus 10 minutes climb below Nachi Shrine ("Nachi-san"). Cars can park at Seigantoji Temple. I recommend this remarkably scenic, short walk (3.5 km with 265 meters gain): starting from Daimon-zaka bus stop, ascend a stone-paved path, humbled by massive evergreens, up to the gates of Nachi Taisha shrine; then descend to the falls, at Taki-mae bus stop.
    1810JPN-5619.jpg
  • A hiker waves on Sahale Mountain above Quien Sabe Glacier, above North Fork Cascade River in North Cascades National Park, Washington, USA. On upper right are Eldorado Peak (8868 ft) and the distant volcanic cone of Mount Baker (10,781 ft). Sahale Mountain is a spectacular Class 3 or 4 climb gaining 5200 feet in 14 miles round trip from Cascade River Road. October 1, 1982. (A small area at bottom was stitched from a second image which overlapped.)
    8210SAH-01-14+15_Sahale-Arm.jpg
  • Machhapuchhre (or Machhapuchhare), the Fish Tail Mountain (22,943 feet / 6997 meters elevation) a sacred peak, illegal to climb, in the Annapurna Range of Nepal, in the Himalaya mountains. This view is from Annapurna South Base Camp (ABC, at 13,550 feet elevation) in the Annapurna Sanctuary.
    07NEP-2502_Machhapuchhre_Fish-Tail-M...jpg
  • High tide nearly touches the bottom of the covered bridge. Irish River or Vaughan Creek #1 Covered Bridge was built in 1935 in picturesque St. Martins, in Saint John County, New Brunswick, Canada. The lighthouse building was built in 1983 to display the lantern room from the 1883 Quaco Head Lighthouse and to serve as a Visitor Information Center in St. Martins. Climb to the lantern to view the harbour and two historic covered bridges. Observe the extreme tides of Bay of Fundy lifting fishing boats near the bridge. Drive through the covered bridge and go 7 km on Big Salmon River Road to reach the start of the Fundy Trail Parkway, a 16 kilometer auto route along the Fundy coast ending at Big Salmon River, a former lumbering center. Bay of Fundy has the highest tidal range in the world, due to a resonance of being just the right length (270 km) matching the gravitational pushing cycle of the Moon that causes the tides. Coincidentally, the time it takes a large wave to go from the mouth of the bay to the inner shore and back is practically the same as the time from one high tide to the next. (You can see the effect of resonance for yourself by steadily pushing a long pan of water back and forth: an optimal pushing frequency for a given pan length will build up a high wave of water which sloshes out; but pushing too fast or too slow won't build up the big wave.) Two high tides occur per day, one when the ocean side is nearest the Moon, and one on the side of the Earth most distant from the Moon, about 12 hours and 25 minutes from one high tide to the next. The Bay of Fundy is on the Atlantic coast of North America, on the northeast end of the Gulf of Maine between the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. St. Martins (2006 population: 386) is 40 km east of Saint John. St. Martins (originally known as Quaco) was founded by Loyalists in 1783. Its important 1800s shipbuilding center faded, leaving tourism as today's major industry.
    1410CAN-401_St-Martins.jpg
  • On the flanks of Mt. Smolikas (2637 meters / 8649 feet), the second highest mountain in Greece, see the north Pindus Mountains (Pindos or Pindhos) to the southwest, including Tymfi Massif and Mt. Gamila, in Zagori, Epirus/Epiros Region. Although rarely seen, wild bears and wolves still roam Mount Smolikas, one of the wildest places left in Europe. Rental cars, public buses and tours can take you to this area of Zagoria from the local capital of Ioannina. People of every skill level can walk the wild trails, scramble or climb rocks in the rugged Northern Pindos Mountains. The non-technical ascent of Mt. Smolikas requires a full day round trip. Zagori (Greek: ) is a region and a municipality containing 45 villages collectively known as Zagoria (Zagorochoria or Zagorohoria). Photographed May 23, 2001. Published in "Pindos: The National Park" (2010) by Alexander G. Tziolas, preface by Tom Dempsey et al, ISBN 978-960-98795-3-8.
    01GRE-40-09_twisted-pine-tree_North-...jpg
  • On the flanks of Mt. Smolikas (2637 meters / 8649 feet), the second highest mountain in Greece, see the north Pindus Mountains (Pindos or Pindhos) to the southwest, including Tymfi Massif and Mt. Gamila, in Zagori, Epiros/Epirus Region. Although rarely seen, wild bears and wolves still roam Mount Smolikas, one of the wildest places left in Europe. Rental cars, public buses and tours can take you to this area of Zagoria from the local capital of Ioannina. People of every skill level can walk the wild trails, scramble, or climb rocks here. The non-technical ascent of Mt. Smolikas requires a full day round trip. Zagori (Greek: ) is a region and a municipality containing 45 villages collectively known as Zagoria (Zagorochoria or Zagorohoria). Photographed May 23, 2001. Published in National Geographic Traveler Guidebook for Greece 2007. Published in "Pindos: The National Park" (2010) by Alexander G. Tziolas, preface by Tom Dempsey et al, ISBN 978-960-98795-3-8.
    01GRE-40-08_Tymfi-Massif_Zagoria.jpg
  • Rebar rungs allow anyone to climb the public Diamond Tree, a 51-meter tall Karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor) mounted with a fire lookout. Drive 10 km south of Manjimup on the South Western Highway, in Western Australia. Growing up to 90 meters, Karri trees stand amongst the tallest species in the world.
    04AUS-10732_Diamond-Tree-Fire-Lookou...jpg
  • Rebar rungs allow anyone to climb the public Diamond Tree, a 51-meter tall Karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor) mounted with a fire lookout. Drive 10 km south of Manjimup on the South Western Highway, in Western Australia. Growing up to 90 meters, Karri trees stand amongst the tallest species on earth. Published in "Light Travel: Photography on the Go" book by Tom Dempsey 2009, 2010.
    04AUS-10723_Diamond-Tree-Fire-Lookou...jpg
  • Feisty young Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis canadensis) climb a road cut along Bow Valley Parkway, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Wild sheep crossed the Bering land bridge from Siberia during the Pleistocene (about 750,000 years ago) and spread across western North America as far south as Baja California and northwestern Mexico. Genetic divergence from their closest Asian ancestor (snow sheep) occurred about 600,000 years ago. The Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site was declared by UNESCO in 1984.
    03CAN-G0071_Rocky-Mountain-Bighorn-S...jpg
  • Feisty young Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis canadensis) climb a road cut along Bow Valley Parkway, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Wild sheep crossed the Bering land bridge from Siberia during the Pleistocene (about 750,000 years ago) and spread across western North America as far south as Baja California and northwestern Mexico. Genetic divergence from their closest Asian ancestor (snow sheep) occurred about 600,000 years ago. The Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site was declared by UNESCO in 1984.
    03CAN-G0070_Rocky-Mountain-Bighorn-S...jpg
  • Trekkers at Lukla village in eastern Nepal, with the peak of Khumbila (or or Khumbi Yul Lha; 18,900 feet / 5761 meters) in the background. Because local Sherpa people traditionally consider Khumbila to be a sacred warrior spirit and guardian of the Khumbu District, Nepal has declared this mountain illegal to climb. For licensing options, please inquire.
    07NEP-5183.jpg
  • A mani stone wall, Phortse village, and the peak of Khumbila (18,900 feet / 5761 meters; or Khumbi Yul Lha), in the Himalaya of eastern Nepal. Because local Sherpa people traditionally consider Khumbila to be a sacred warrior spirit and guardian of the Khumbu District, Nepal has declared this mountain illegal to climb. Sagarmatha National Park was created in 1976 and honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
    07NEP-4086.jpg
  • Phortse village, and the peak of Khumbila (18,900 feet / 5761 meters; or Khumbi Yul Lha) , in the Himalaya of eastern Nepal. Because local Sherpa people traditionally consider Khumbila to be a sacred warrior spirit and guardian of the Khumbu District, Nepal has declared this mountain illegal to climb. Sagarmatha National Park was created in 1976 and honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
    07NEP-4065.jpg
  • Machhapuchhre (or Machhapuchhare), the Fish Tail Mountain (22,943 feet / 6997 meters elevation) a sacred peak, illegal to climb, in the Annapurna Range of Nepal, rises high above the Modi Khola river valley, here about 8000 feet elevation.
    07NEP-2694.jpg
  • Machhapuchhre (or Machhapuchhare), the Fish Tail Mountain (22,943 feet / 6997 meters elevation) is a sacred peak, illegal to climb, in the Annapurna mountains (part of the Himalaya range), in Nepal. Tibetan Buddhist prayer flags fly from a monument at Annapurna South Base Camp (ABC, at 13,550 feet elevation) in the Annapurna Sanctuary. Published in Wilderness Travel 2016 Catalog of Adventures and as double page spread inside the cover of Wilderness Travel 2009 Catalog of Adventures, and in 2009 on Swedish travel outfitter web site www.adventurelovers.se. Published in "Light Travel: Photography on the Go" book by Tom Dempsey 2009, 2010.
    07NEP-2497_Machhapuchhre-flags.jpg
  • Machhapuchhre (or Machhapuchhare), Fish Tail Mountain (on right; 22,943 feet / 6997 meters elevation), is a sacred peak, illegal to climb, in the Annapurna Range of Nepal. Annapurna South Base Camp (ABC, at 13,550 feet elevation) is in the Annapurna Sanctuary.
    07NEP-2397.jpg
  • Trekkers explore Annapurna Sanctuary. The sun rises over Machhapuchhre (or Machhapuchhare), the Fish Tail Mountain (on the right; 22,943 feet / 6997 meters elevation) a sacred peak, illegal to climb, in the Annapurna Range of Nepal, Asia. Center left is the sharp peak of Gandharba Chuli (20,500 feet / 6248 meters). Panorama stitched from 3 overlapping photos.
    07NEP-2266-68pan_Machhapuchhre-sunri...jpg
  • Machhapuchhre (or Machhapuchhare), the Fish Tail Mountain (22,943 feet / 6997 meters elevation) a sacred peak, illegal to climb, in the Annapurna Range of Nepal. This view is from Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC; or spelled Machhapuchhare) at 3700 meters or 12,140 feet elevation in the Annapurna Sanctuary.
    07NEP-2188.jpg
  • Machhapuchhre (or Machhapuchhare), the Fish Tail Mountain (22,943 feet / 6997 meters elevation) a sacred peak, illegal to climb. This view is from the trail upstream from Bamboo, in the Annapurna Range of Nepal.
    07NEP-2070.jpg
  • Multiple waterfalls plunge from Castaño Overo Glacier on Cerro Tronador, an extinct stratovolcano in the southern Andes, near Bariloche, in the Lake District of Argentina, in Patagonia, South America. The sound of falling seracs inspired the name Tronador, Spanish for "Thunderer." With an altitude of 3470 m, Tronador stands more than 1000 meters above nearby mountains in the Andean massif, making it a popular climb in Patagonia, South America. Located inside two National Parks, Nahuel Huapi in Argentina and Vicente Pérez Rosales in Chile, Tronador hosts eight glaciers, which are retreating due to warming of the upper troposphere.
    2002PAT-0089.jpg
  • Multiple waterfalls plunge from Castaño Overo Glacier on Cerro Tronador, an extinct stratovolcano in the southern Andes, near Bariloche, in the Lake District of Argentina, in Patagonia, South America. The sound of falling seracs inspired the name Tronador, Spanish for "Thunderer." With an altitude of 3470 m, Tronador stands more than 1000 meters above nearby mountains in the Andean massif, making it a popular climb in Patagonia, South America. Located inside two National Parks, Nahuel Huapi in Argentina and Vicente Pérez Rosales in Chile, Tronador hosts eight glaciers, which are retreating due to warming of the upper troposphere.
    2002PAT-0086.jpg
  • Castaño Overo Glacier. Cerro Tronador is an extinct stratovolcano in the southern Andes, near Bariloche, in the Lake District of Argentina. The sound of falling seracs gave it the name Tronador, Spanish for "Thunderer." With an altitude of 3470 m, Tronador stands more than 1000 meters above nearby mountains in the Andean massif, making it a popular climb in Patagonia, South America. Located inside two National Parks, Nahuel Huapi in Argentina and Vicente Pérez Rosales in Chile, Tronador hosts eight glaciers, which are retreating due to warming of the upper troposphere.
    2002PAT-0050.jpg
  • Nachi-no-Taki waterfall (133 m, Japan's tallest), in Nachikatsuura, on the Kii Peninsula, on the island of Honshu, Japan. Don't miss the iconic view of thundering Nachi-no-Taki waterfall (133 m, Japan's tallest) paired with Seiganto-ji pagoda. According to a legend, it was founded (near a previous nature worship site) by the priest Ragyo Shonin, a monk from India. Seiganto-ji is part of the Kumano Sanzan shrine complex and is one of the few jingu-ji still in existence after the separation of Shinto and Buddhism forced by the Japanese government during the Meiji restoration. Seiganto-ji is is stop #1 on Kansai Kannon Pilgrimage, and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site listed as the "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range". Access: by bus from Nachi Station (20 min) or Kii-Katsuura Station (30 min). Ask driver to stop at base of the Daimonzaka trail ("Daimonzaka" stop); or at the entrance to Nachi Waterfall ("Taki-mae"); or at the bus terminus 10 minutes climb below Nachi Shrine ("Nachi-san"). Cars can park at Seigantoji Temple. I recommend this scenic, short walk (3.5 km with 265 meters gain): starting from Daimon-zaka bus stop, ascend a stone-paved path, humbled by massive evergreens, up to the gates of Nachi Taisha shrine, descend to Seiganto-ji pagoda, then to the falls, just below Taki-mae bus stop.
    1810JPN-5709.jpg
  • Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine was built in homage to Nachi-no-Taki waterfall's kami (spirit god). Don't miss the iconic view of thundering Nachi-no-Taki waterfall (133 m, Japan's tallest) paired with Seiganto-ji pagoda, in Nachikatsuura, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture, on the Kii Peninsula, Honshu, Japan. Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine fuses Buddhist and Shinto influences along the 1000+ year pilgrimage routes of Kumano Kodo. For most of their history, the Buddhist Seiganto-ji and Shinto Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine functioned as one religious institution. The "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range" form an impressive entry on UNESCO's List of World Heritage Sites. Access: by bus from Nachi Station (20 min) or Kii-Katsuura Station (30 min). Ask driver to stop at base of the Daimonzaka trail ("Daimonzaka" stop); or at the entrance to Nachi Waterfall ("Taki-mae"); or at the bus terminus 10 minutes climb below Nachi Shrine ("Nachi-san"). Cars can park at Seigantoji Temple. I recommend this remarkably scenic, short walk (3.5 km with 265 meters gain): starting from Daimon-zaka bus stop, ascend a stone-paved path, humbled by massive evergreens, up to the gates of Nachi Taisha shrine, descend to Seiganto-ji pagoda, then to the falls, just below Taki-mae bus stop.
    1810JPN-5693.jpg
  • Dragons are a common motif in the fountains or chozuya provided in temples and shrines for cleansing the hands and mouths of worshipers before prayer. Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine was built in homage to Nachi-no-Taki waterfall's kami (spirit god). Don't miss the iconic view of thundering Nachi-no-Taki waterfall (133 m, Japan's tallest) paired with Seiganto-ji pagoda, in Nachikatsuura, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture, on the Kii Peninsula, Honshu, Japan. Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine fuses Buddhist and Shinto influences along the 1000+ year pilgrimage routes of Kumano Kodo. For most of their history, the Buddhist Seiganto-ji and Shinto Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine functioned as one religious institution. The "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range" form an impressive entry on UNESCO's List of World Heritage Sites. Access: by bus from Nachi Station (20 min) or Kii-Katsuura Station (30 min). Ask driver to stop at base of the Daimonzaka trail ("Daimonzaka" stop); or at the entrance to Nachi Waterfall ("Taki-mae"); or at the bus terminus 10 minutes climb below Nachi Shrine ("Nachi-san"). Cars can park at Seigantoji Temple. I recommend this remarkably scenic, short walk (3.5 km with 265 meters gain): starting from Daimon-zaka bus stop, ascend a stone-paved path, humbled by massive evergreens, up to the gates of Nachi Taisha shrine, descend to Seiganto-ji pagoda, then to the falls, just below Taki-mae bus stop.
    1810JPN-5671.jpg
  • Ancient trees on a Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route. Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine was built in homage to Nachi-no-Taki waterfall's kami (spirit god). Don't miss the iconic view of thundering Nachi-no-Taki waterfall (133m, Japan's tallest) paired with Seigantoji pagoda, in Nachikatsuura, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine fuses Buddhist and Shinto influences along the 1000+ year pilgrimage routes of Kumano Kodo. The "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range" form an impressive entry on UNESCO's List of World Heritage Sites. Access: by bus from Nachi Station (20 min) or Kii-Katsuura Station (30 min). Ask driver to stop at base of the Daimonzaka trail ("Daimonzaka" stop); or at the entrance to Nachi Waterfall ("Taki-mae"); or at the bus terminus 10 minutes climb below Nachi Shrine ("Nachi-san"). Cars can park at Seigantoji Temple. I recommend this remarkably scenic, short walk (3.5 km with 265 meters gain): starting from Daimon-zaka bus stop, ascend a stone-paved path, humbled by massive evergreens, up to the gates of Nachi Taisha shrine; then descend to the falls, at Taki-mae bus stop.
    1810JPN-5640.jpg
  • Machhapuchhre (or Machhapuchhare), the Fish Tail Mountain (22,943 feet / 6997 meters elevation) is a sacred peak, illegal to climb, in the Annapurna mountains (part of the Himalaya range), seen from Ghandruk, in Nepal.
    07NEP-2795.jpg
  • Machhapuchhre (or Machhapuchhare), the Fish Tail Mountain (on the right; 22,943 feet / 6997 meters elevation), is a sacred peak, illegal to climb, in the Annapurna Range of Nepal. This view is from Annapurna South Base Camp (ABC, at 13,550 feet elevation) in the Annapurna Sanctuary.  The left peak is Annapurna III (24,786 feet / 7555 meters). The sharp center peak is Gandharba Chuli (20,500 feet / 6248 meters). (Panorama stitched from 2 images.)
    07NEP-2420-21pan-Annapurna-Base-Camp.jpg
  • Machhapuchhre (or Machhapuchhare), the Fish Tail Mountain (on the right; 22,943 feet / 6997 meters elevation), is a sacred peak, illegal to climb, in the Annapurna Range of Nepal. This view is from Annapurna South Base Camp (ABC, at 13,550 feet elevation) in the Annapurna Sanctuary.  The left peak is Annapurna III (24,786 feet / 7555 meters). The sharp center peak is Gandharba Chuli (20,500 feet / 6248 meters). (Panorama stitched from 2 images.)
    07NEP-2391-92pan-Annapurna-Base-Camp.jpg
  • Ama Dablam, a striking mountain in the Himalaya range of eastern Nepal, was first climbed in 1961. The main peak is 22,349 feet (or 6,812 meters) tall, and the lower western peak is 18,251 feet (or 5,563 meters). Ama Dablam means "Mother and Pearl Necklace" (because the perennial hanging glacier is thought of as the pearl). For several days, Ama Dablam dominates the eastern sky for anyone trekking from Namche Bazaar towards Mount Everest Base Camp. Sagarmatha National Park was created in 1976 and honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
    07NEP-4781.jpg
  • The Going-to-the-Sun Road climbs the Garden Wall in Glacier National Park, Montana, USA. Since 1932, Canada and USA have shared Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, which UNESCO declared a World Heritage Site (1995) containing two Biosphere Reserves (1976). Rocks in the park are primarily sedimentary layers deposited in shallow seas over 1.6 billion to 800 million years ago. During the tectonic formation of the Rocky Mountains 170 million years ago, the Lewis Overthrust displaced these old rocks over newer Cretaceous age rocks. Glaciers carved spectacular U-shaped valleys and pyramidal peaks as recently as the Last Glacial Maximum (the last "Ice Age" 25,000 to 13,000 years ago). Of the 150 glaciers existing in the mid 1800s, only 25 active glaciers remain in the park as of 2010, and all may disappear by 2020, say climate scientists.
    07GLA-0229.jpg
  • A captive coati (member of the raccoon family, Procyonidae) climbs a tree at the Sonoran Desert Museum, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
    03AZ-10-02_Coati_Sonoran-Desert-Muse...jpg
  • A broad leaf tropical plant climbs a tree at Akaka Falls State Park, Big Island, Hawaii, USA.
    1701HAW-2391.jpg
  • A koala climbs a tree at Koala Conservation Centre, Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia. The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is an arboreal herbivorous marsupial native to Australia, and the only surviving member of the family Phascolarctidae. The koala is found in coastal regions of eastern and southern Australia, from Adelaide to the southern part of Cape York Peninsula, extending inland where enough moisture supports suitable woodlands. The koalas of South Australia were mostly exterminated during the early 1900s, but have been repopulated with Victorian stock. The koala is not found in Tasmania or Western Australia. The koala is one of the few mammals (other than primates) that has fingerprints. It is generally silent, but males have a very loud advertising call that can be heard from almost a kilometer away during the breeding season. The koala requires large areas of healthy, connected forest and will travel long distances along tree corridors in search of new territory and mates. Human encroachment cuts these corridors with agricultural and residential development, forestry, and road-building, marooning koala colonies in decreasing areas of bush.
    04AUS-20058_Koala-Conservation-Centr...jpg
  • A checkerboard of farm, crop, ranch, and cactus land climbs a hill near Lago Quilotoa, in Ecuador, South America.
    09ECU-3004_Ecuador.jpg
  • Tom climbs rebar rungs of the public Diamond Tree, a 51-meter tall Karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor) mounted with a fire lookout. Drive 10 km south of Manjimup on the South Western Highway, in Western Australia. Growing up to 90 meters, Karri trees stand amongst the tallest species on earth. Published in "Light Travel: Photography on the Go" book by Tom Dempsey 2009, 2010. For licensing options, please inquire.
    04AUS-10688_climb-Diamond-Tree.jpg
  • Hikers approach Paso Quadrado (Square Pass) under Mount Fitz Roy (3405 m or 11,171 ft elevation) near Piedra Negra, El Chalten, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina, Patagonia, South America. We hiked the scenic Rio Electrico Valley to Refugio Piedra del Fraile ("Stone of the Friar", 14.5 km round trip). From the refuge, a path ascends very steeply to Paso Quadrado (gaining 1340 m vertically in 8.4 km round trip) for a spectacular view south. The last kilometer climbs up steep snow which could require crampons and ice axe if icy; soft snow for us was slippery but passable in trailrunning shoes. Views keep improving as you ascend higher. Monte Fitz Roy is also known as Cerro Chaltén, Cerro Fitz Roy, or Mount Fitz Roy. The first Europeans recorded as seeing Mount Fitz Roy were the Spanish explorer Antonio de Viedma and his companions, who in 1783 reached the shores of Viedma Lake. In 1877, Argentine explorer Francisco Moreno saw the mountain and named it Fitz Roy in honour of Robert FitzRoy who, as captain of HMS Beagle, had travelled up the Santa Cruz River in 1834 and charted large parts of the Patagonian coast. Mt Fitz Roy was first climbed in 1952. Cerro is a Spanish word meaning hill, while Chaltén comes from a Tehuelche word meaning "smoking mountain", due to clouds that usually form around the peak. This image was stitched from multiple overlapping photos.
    2002PAT-4074-75-Pano.jpg
  • Crevasses in Mendenhall Glacier. Juneau, Alaska, USA. For spectacular views over Mendenhall Glacier, hike the West Glacier (Mt. McGinnis) Trail 6-9.5 miles round trip, 1000-3200 feet gain, best late May-September. The Trailhead is a half mile from Mendenhall Campground entrance by road. A good trail skirts the northwest side of Mendenhall Lake then climbs through forest to the bare rock along the glacier's west side, where some scrambling and route finding skills are required. Mendenhall Glacier flows 12 miles from downtown Juneau. Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area is a unit of Tongass National Forest. Mendenhall Glacier has retreated 1.75 miles since 1929, when Mendenhall Lake was created, and over 2.5 miles (4.0 km) since 1500. Since the mid 1900s, Alaska has warmed 3 degrees Fahrenheit and its winters have warmed nearly 6 degrees. Human-caused climate change induced by emissions of greenhouse gases continues to accelerate the warming of Alaska at an unprecedented rate. Climate change is having disproportionate effects in the Arctic, which is heating up twice as fast as the rest of Earth.
    1906AKH-3670.jpg
  • Visit spectacular Whitby Abbey which dates from 657-1538 AD, in the fishing port of Whitby, in North Yorkshire county, England, United Kingdom, Europe. This Christian monastery later became a Benedictine abbey, which was confiscated by the crown during the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII in 1537-8. The abbey church overlooks the North Sea on East Cliff above Whitby. Whitby Abbey became famous in fiction by Bram Stoker's 1897 novel Dracula, as Dracula came ashore as a creature resembling a large dog who climbed the dramatic 199 steps leading to the ruins above the Esk River. England Coast to Coast hike day 13 of 14. [This image, commissioned by Wilderness Travel, is not available to any other agency providing group travel in the UK, but may otherwise be licensable from Tom Dempsey – please inquire at PhotoSeek.com.]
    17UK-6743_England.jpg
  • Eskdale Trail, in Lake District National Park. England Coast to Coast hike with Wilderness Travel, day 2 of 14: from Eskdale in Cumbria county, we walked to Boot for lunch at a local pub and a visit to a working medieval corn mill, in the United Kingdom, Europe. We then climbed to Burnmoor Tarn, then descended to the hamlet of Wasdale Head. Via minibus we returned to Irton Hall for the second night. [This image, commissioned by Wilderness Travel, is not available to any other agency providing group travel in the UK, but may otherwise be licensable from Tom Dempsey – please inquire at PhotoSeek.com.]
    17UK-0583-586pan_England.jpg
  • The potholed Pihea Trail traverses a spectacular cliff edge of Na Pali-Kona Forest Reserve, overlooking the Kalalau Valley in Na Pali Coast State Park down to the Pacific Ocean, a breathtaking 4000 feet below, on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, USA. On the right, Dicranopteris linearis is commonly known as Old World forked fern, uluhe (Hawaiian), and dilim (Filipino), Climbing Fern, or False Staghorn. This fern is a keystone species in Hawaiian ecosystems and often forms deep thickets. Dicranopteris linearis is widely distributed in the wet Old World tropics, Polynesia and the Pacific. The stem grows from the rhizome, branches at a 45° angle, and forms fronds that continue to bud and branch at great length, 20+ feet. Being intolerant of shade, it climbs over other plants to reach direct sunlight. As a pioneer species in ecological succession, it can colonize bare lava flows, talus, and abandoned roads. Where humans eliminate the fern, invasive species of plants can move in. Slippery wet clay makes Pihea Trail a challenging hike of 2.6 miles round trip with 500 feet gain to Pihea Peak. Pihea Trail begins at Pu'u O Kila Lookout at the end of the road in Koke'e State Park. This image was stitched from multiple overlapping images.
    1701HAW-1475-81-Pano-Edit.jpg
  • In Zermatt, Switzerland, the Gornergrat rack railway (GGB) takes you to a spectacular ridge (at 3135 m or 10,285 ft) between Gornergletscher and Findelgletscher, with views of 20+ four-thousand meter peaks, whose highest are Dufourspitze (Monte Rosa massif), Liskamm, Matterhorn, Dom and Weisshorn. Gornergrat train, opened in 1898, climbs almost 1500 m or 4900 ft via Riffelalp and Riffelberg in the Pennine Alps, Europe.
    16SWI-7652-p1.jpg
  • Monte Rosa massif / Dufourspitze(4634 m / 15,203 ft, second-highest mountain of the Alps and highest of Switzerland), in the Pennine/Valais Alps, Europe. In Zermatt, the Gornergrat rack railway (GGB) takes you to a spectacular ridge (at 3135 m or 10,285 ft) between Gornergletscher and Findelgletscher, with views of more than twenty 4000-meter-high peaks. Gornergrat train, opened in 1898, climbs almost 1500 m or 4900 ft via Riffelalp and Riffelberg.
    16SWI-7613.jpg
  • Alpine violet flower. Kandersteg is a great base for hiking in Switzerland. For example: an epic hike from Selden in Bern canton traverses Lötsch glacier and Lötschen Pass (German: Lötschenpass, Swiss German: Lötschepass) to neighboring Lötschental in Valais canton; hiking poles recommended. The walk starts with a reserved Postbus ride from Kandersteg to Selden (in Gasterntal / Gasteretal / Gasterental), climbs 1350 meters, descends 925 m, and ends 13 km later at Lauchernalp lift station, which descends to Wiler in Lötschental, to reach Goppenstein via Postbus, back to Kandersteg via train. You can also reverse the route or stay overnight in dorms at Lötschepass hut.
    16SWI-2672.jpg
  • Bald River Falls plunges 90 feet in Bald River Gorge Wilderness, Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee, USA. Directions: from the Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center in the town of Tellico Plains in Monroe County, TN, drive 4.5 miles east on the Cherohala Skyway (SR-165 or TN 165); then turn right on Tellico River Road (FS Road 210) for 7 miles to see Bald River Falls from an overpass and limited parking area. More: At the upper end of the parking lot, walk on FS Trail 88 a short way upstream of Bald River Falls to see Kahuna Falls and Bald River Cascades.  During the early 1900s, the forests of the Bald River and Tellico River basins were almost completely logged by the Babcock Lumber Company. The present Tellico River Road was built on the old logging railroad bed built by Babcock. Long in planning since 1958, the Cherohala Skyway opened to automobile traffic in 1996 – a new National Scenic Byway. The 43-mile paved Skyway climbs over 4000 feet, starting at elevation 900 feet along Tellico River on SR-165 in Tennessee, reaching 5400 feet on the slopes of Haw Knob in North Carolina, and descending as Highway NC 143 to Robbinsville. Cherohala combines the names of the two National Forests traversed: "Chero" from Cherokee and "hala" from Nantahala NF.
    1510SE-1368_Bald-River-Falls_TN.jpg
  • Mount Fitz Roy (3405 meters or 11,170 feet) rises abruptly above native forest in the southern Andes mountains, near El Chaltén village, in Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina, South America. In 1877, explorer Perito Moreno named "Cerro Fitz Roy" for Robert FitzRoy (no space before the capital R) who, as captain of the HMS Beagle, had travelled up the Santa Cruz River in 1834 and charted much of the Patagonian coast. First climbed in 1952 by French alpinists Lionel Terray and Guido Magnone, Mount Fitz Roy has very fickle weather and is one of the world's most challenging technical ascents. It is also called Cerro Chaltén, Cerro Fitz Roy, and Monte Fitz Roy (with a space before the R). Chaltén comes from a Tehuelche (Aonikenk) word meaning "smoking mountain" (explained by frequent orographic clouds). Cerro is a Spanish word meaning hill. El Chaltén village was built in 1985 by Argentina to help secure the disputed border with Chile, and now tourism supports it, 220 km north of the larger town of El Calafate. The foot of South America is known as Patagonia, a name derived from coastal giants, Patagão or Patagoni, who were reported by Magellan's 1520s voyage circumnavigating the world and were actually Tehuelche native people who averaged 25 cm (or 10 inches) taller than the Spaniards. Mount Fitz Roy is the basis for the Patagonia company's clothing logo, after Yvon Chouinard's ascent and subsequent film in 1968.
    05ARG-50056.jpg
  • Mount Fitz Roy (3405 meters or 11,170 feet) rises abruptly above native forest in the southern Andes mountains, near El Chaltén village, in Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina, South America. In 1877, explorer Perito Moreno named "Cerro Fitz Roy" for Robert FitzRoy (no space before the capital R) who, as captain of the HMS Beagle, had travelled up the Santa Cruz River in 1834 and charted much of the Patagonian coast. First climbed in 1952 by French alpinists Lionel Terray and Guido Magnone, Mount Fitz Roy has very fickle weather and is one of the world's most challenging technical ascents. It is also called Cerro Chaltén, Cerro Fitz Roy, and Monte Fitz Roy (with a space before the R). Chaltén comes from a Tehuelche (Aonikenk) word meaning "smoking mountain" (explained by frequent orographic clouds). Cerro is a Spanish word meaning hill. El Chaltén village was built in 1985 by Argentina to help secure the disputed border with Chile, and now tourism supports it, 220 km north of the larger town of El Calafate. The foot of South America is known as Patagonia, a name derived from coastal giants, Patagão or Patagoni, who were reported by Magellan's 1520s voyage circumnavigating the world and were actually Tehuelche native people who averaged 25 cm (or 10 inches) taller than the Spaniards. Mount Fitz Roy is the basis for the Patagonia company's clothing logo, after Yvon Chouinard's ascent and subsequent film in 1968. Panorama stitched from 2 overlapping photos.
    05ARG-50043-44pan_Cerro-Fitz-Roy.jpg
  • Machu Picchu is a magnificent Inca archeological site in the Cordillera Vilcabamba, Andes mountains, Peru, South America. A long stairway climbs along Inca walls. Machu Picchu was built around 1450 AD as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti (14381472). Spaniards passed in the river valley below but never discovered Machu Picchu during their conquest of the Incas 1532-1572. The outside world was unaware of the "Lost City of the Incas" until revealed by American historian Hiram Bingham in 1911. Machu Picchu perches at 2430 meters elevation (7970 feet) on a well defended ridge 450 meters (1480 ft) above a loop of the Urubamba/Vilcanota River ( Sacred Valley of the Incas). UNESCO honored the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu on the World Heritage List in 1983.  Panorama was stitched from 3 overlapping photos. Published in 2009 on Swedish trekking company site www.adventurelovers.se.
    03PER-19-pan08-12-14_Machu-Picchu.jpg
  • The Troll Wall is the tallest vertical rock face in Europe, about 1100 meters (3600 feet) from base to summit. Located within Reinheimen National Park, the Troll Wall (Trollveggen) and Trolltindane (Troll Peaks) soar high above the Romsdalen valley near Åndalsnes, Norway. The gneiss rock summit ridge overhangs its base by nearly 50 meters (160 ft). Parachute BASE jumping from Troll Wall has been illegal since 1986, but climbing the face is allowed, as is hiking up the gentler back. Trollveggen is in Rauma municipality, Møre og Romsdal county. Panorama stitched from 3 overlapping photos.
    11NOR-3131-3pan_Troll-Wall_Roms-Vall...jpg
  • Below Mount Shuksan, the Mount Baker Highway 542 climbs Kulshan Ridge to Artist Point, seen along Galena Chain Lakes loop trail, in Washington, USA. On October 19, we hiked Galena Chain Lakes loop 7.3 miles with 1800 feet gain and loss, starting from Bagley Lakes Trailhead (Ski Area parking lot). (When the road to Artist Point is open, the circuit can be shortened to 6 miles starting from Heather Meadows Visitor Center.)
    2110BAK-093_95-Pano.jpg
  • Cerro Fitz Roy (3405 m or 11,171 ft elevation), seen from the Los Glaciares National Park Visitor Center in El Chalten, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina, Patagonia, South America. Monte Fitz Roy is also known as Cerro Chaltén, Cerro Fitz Roy, or Mount Fitz Roy. The first Europeans recorded as seeing Cerro Fitz Roy were the Spanish explorer Antonio de Viedma and his companions, who in 1783 reached the shores of Viedma Lake. In 1877, Argentine explorer Francisco Moreno saw the mountain and named it Fitz Roy in honour of Robert FitzRoy who, as captain of HMS Beagle, had travelled up the Santa Cruz River in 1834 and charted large parts of the Patagonian coast. Mt Fitz Roy was first climbed in 1952. Cerro is a Spanish word meaning hill, while Chaltén comes from a Tehuelche word meaning "smoking mountain", due to clouds that usually form around the peak.  Los Glaciares National Park and Reserve are honored on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
    2002PAT-4468.jpg
  • The rufous-bellied seedsnipe (Attagis gayi), below Piedra Negra in Rio Electrico Valley, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina, Patagonia, South America. Attagis gayi is a wading bird resident in the Andes of South America from Ecuador and southwards. Its most common food is the buds and leaf tips of cushion plants. Refugio and Campground Piedra del Fraile ("Stone of the Friar"; 14.5 km round trip) serves as a comfortable base for hiking and climbing in scenic Rio Electrico Valley.
    2002PAT-4435.jpg
  • The rufous-bellied seedsnipe (Attagis gayi), below Piedra Negra in Rio Electrico Valley, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina, Patagonia, South America. Attagis gayi is a wading bird resident in the Andes of South America from Ecuador and southwards. Its most common food is the buds and leaf tips of cushion plants. Refugio and Campground Piedra del Fraile ("Stone of the Friar"; 14.5 km round trip) serves as a comfortable base for hiking and climbing in scenic Rio Electrico Valley.
    2002PAT-4428.jpg
  • Paso Quadrado affords a spectacular panorama south to Lago Quadrado, the North Fitz Roy Glacier, and peaks including Guillaumet, Mermoz, Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, and Aguja Pollone (left to right), near El Chalten, Argentina, Patagonia, South America. We hiked scenic Rio Electrico Valley to Refugio Piedra del Fraile ("Stone of the Friar", 14.5 km round trip) to stay overnight in dorms. A path from the refuge ascends very steeply to Paso Quadrado (gaining 1340 m vertically in 8.4 km round trip). The last kilometer climbs up steep snow which could require crampons if icy (but was passable in soft snow using our trailrunning shoes). Views keep improving as you ascend. Monte Fitz Roy is also known as Cerro Chaltén, Cerro Fitz Roy, or Mount Fitz Roy (3405 m or 11,171 ft elevation). The first Europeans recorded as seeing Mount Fitz Roy were the Spanish explorer Antonio de Viedma and his companions, who in 1783 reached the shores of Viedma Lake. In 1877, Argentine explorer Francisco Moreno saw the mountain and named it Fitz Roy in honour of Robert FitzRoy who, as captain of HMS Beagle, had travelled up the Santa Cruz River in 1834 and charted large parts of the Patagonian coast. Mt Fitz Roy was first climbed in 1952. Cerro is a Spanish word meaning hill, while Chaltén comes from a Tehuelche word meaning "smoking mountain", due to clouds that usually form around the peak. This image was stitched from multiple overlapping photos.
    2002PAT-4313-47-Pano_Monte-Fitz-Roy_...jpg
  • Paso Quadrado affords a spectacular panorama south to the North Fitz Roy Glacier and peaks including Guillaumet, Mermoz, Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, and Aguja Pollone (left to right), near El Chalten, Argentina, Patagonia, South America. We hiked scenic Rio Electrico Valley to Refugio Piedra del Fraile ("Stone of the Friar", 14.5 km round trip) to stay overnight in dorms. A path from the refuge ascends very steeply to Paso Quadrado (gaining 1340 m vertically in 8.4 km round trip). The last kilometer climbs up steep snow which could require crampons if icy (but was passable in soft snow using our trailrunning shoes). Views keep improving as you ascend. Monte Fitz Roy is also known as Cerro Chaltén, Cerro Fitz Roy, or Mount Fitz Roy (3405 m or 11,171 ft elevation). The first Europeans recorded as seeing Mount Fitz Roy were the Spanish explorer Antonio de Viedma and his companions, who in 1783 reached the shores of Viedma Lake. In 1877, Argentine explorer Francisco Moreno saw the mountain and named it Fitz Roy in honour of Robert FitzRoy who, as captain of HMS Beagle, had travelled up the Santa Cruz River in 1834 and charted large parts of the Patagonian coast. Mt Fitz Roy was first climbed in 1952. Cerro is a Spanish word meaning hill, while Chaltén comes from a Tehuelche word meaning "smoking mountain", due to clouds that usually form around the peak. This image was stitched from multiple overlapping photos.
    2002PAT-4371-82-Pano.jpg
  • Paso Quadrado affords a great view south to the North Fitz Roy Glacier in an alpine wonderland, near El Chalten, Argentina, Patagonia, South America. We hiked scenic Rio Electrico Valley to Refugio Piedra del Fraile ("Stone of the Friar", 14.5 km round trip) to stay overnight in dorms. A path from the refuge ascends very steeply to Paso Quadrado (gaining 1340 m vertically in 8.4 km round trip). The last kilometer climbs up steep snow which could require crampons if icy (but was passable in soft snow using our trailrunning shoes). Views keep improving as you ascend. Monte Fitz Roy is also known as Cerro Chaltén, Cerro Fitz Roy, or Mount Fitz Roy (3405 m or 11,171 ft elevation). The first Europeans recorded as seeing Mount Fitz Roy were the Spanish explorer Antonio de Viedma and his companions, who in 1783 reached the shores of Viedma Lake. In 1877, Argentine explorer Francisco Moreno saw the mountain and named it Fitz Roy in honour of Robert FitzRoy who, as captain of HMS Beagle, had travelled up the Santa Cruz River in 1834 and charted large parts of the Patagonian coast. Mt Fitz Roy was first climbed in 1952. Cerro is a Spanish word meaning hill, while Chaltén comes from a Tehuelche word meaning "smoking mountain", due to clouds that usually form around the peak.
    2002PAT-4411.jpg
  • Looking through Paso Quadrado southwards to the peaks of Guillaumet, Mermoz, and Fitz Roy (left to right), near El Chalten, Argentina, Patagonia, South America. We hiked scenic Rio Electrico Valley to Refugio Piedra del Fraile ("Stone of the Friar", 14.5 km round trip) to stay overnight in dorms. A path from the refuge ascends very steeply to Paso Quadrado (gaining 1340 m vertically in 8.4 km round trip). The last kilometer climbs up steep snow which could require crampons if icy, but was okay in soft snow using our trailrunning shoes. Views keep improving as you ascend. Monte Fitz Roy is also known as Cerro Chaltén, Cerro Fitz Roy, or Mount Fitz Roy (3405 m or 11,171 ft elevation). The first Europeans recorded as seeing Mount Fitz Roy were the Spanish explorer Antonio de Viedma and his companions, who in 1783 reached the shores of Viedma Lake. In 1877, Argentine explorer Francisco Moreno saw the mountain and named it Fitz Roy in honour of Robert FitzRoy who, as captain of HMS Beagle, had travelled up the Santa Cruz River in 1834 and charted large parts of the Patagonian coast. Mt Fitz Roy was first climbed in 1952. Cerro is a Spanish word meaning hill, while Chaltén comes from a Tehuelche word meaning "smoking mountain", due to clouds that usually form around the peak.
    2002PAT-4363.jpg
  • Paso Quadrado affords a great view south to the rock pillar of Aguja Pollone, near El Chalten, Argentina, Patagonia, South America. We hiked scenic Rio Electrico Valley to Refugio Piedra del Fraile ("Stone of the Friar", 14.5 km round trip) to stay overnight in dorms. A path from the refuge ascends very steeply to Paso Quadrado (gaining 1340 m vertically in 8.4 km round trip). The last kilometer climbs up steep snow which could require crampons if icy (but was passable in soft snow using our trailrunning shoes). Views keep improving as you ascend.
    2002PAT-4350.jpg
  • Paso Quadrado affords a great view south to the rock pillar of Aguja Pollone, near El Chalten, Argentina, Patagonia, South America. We hiked scenic Rio Electrico Valley to Refugio Piedra del Fraile ("Stone of the Friar", 14.5 km round trip) to stay overnight in dorms. A path from the refuge ascends very steeply to Paso Quadrado (gaining 1340 m vertically in 8.4 km round trip). The last kilometer climbs up steep snow which could require crampons if icy (but was passable in soft snow using our trailrunning shoes). Views keep improving as you ascend.
    2002PAT-4308.jpg
  • We ascended glacier-carved orange rocks above Lago del Quadrado (muddy green lake at right) to reach Paso Quadrado. Initially, hike the scenic Rio Electrico Valley to Refugio Piedra del Fraile ("Stone of the Friar", 14.5 km round trip). From the refuge, a path ascends very steeply to Paso Quadrado (gaining 1340 m vertically in 8.4 km round trip) for a spectacular view south. The last kilometer climbs up steep snow which could require crampons if icy. Views keep improving the higher you go. El Chalten, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina, Patagonia, South America. This image was stitched from multiple overlapping photos.
    2002PAT-4227-35-Pano.jpg
  • Ice partially covers an unnamed lake below Paso Quadrado, near El Chalten, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina, Patagonia, South America. The snowy peak of Cerro Gorra Blanca and conjoined Cerro Neumayer rise behind the ridge of Cerro 30 Aniversario. Initially, we hiked the scenic Rio Electrico Valley to Refugio Piedra del Fraile ("Stone of the Friar", 14.5 km round trip) for an overnight stay in a 4-person dorm room supplied with pads. From the refuge, a path ascends very steeply to Paso Quadrado (gaining 1340 m vertically in 8.4 km round trip) for a spectacular view south. We ascended glacier-carved orange rocks to reach Paso Quadrado. The last kilometer climbs up steep snow which could require crampons if icy. Views keep improving the higher you go.
    2002PAT-4236.jpg
Next
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
x

Portfolio of Tom Dempsey / PhotoSeek.com

  • Portfolio
  • BLOG | PhotoSeek HOME
  • ALL IMAGES + captions
    • Worldwide favorites
    • ALL GALLERIES
    • CART
    • Lightbox
  • SEARCH
  • ABOUT
  • How to buy my images
  • Camera reviews + sales