THE BALD HIKER – TIME TO GET VERTICAL
October 26, 2012 in Wildlife Village by Ann B
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More amazing, stunning, incredible, beautiful, unbelievable …….. (I could go on) photos and words from Paul Steele better known as THE BALD HIKER. I think the first image is one of the most perfect images of earth I have ever seen. Please leave Paul a comment on http://www.baldhiker.com/2011/01/09/time-to-get-vertical/
Mount Thor
Whilst out climbing, hiking it is common that you will come along drops. Some steep, some shallow and some hair-raising… well if you can raise your hair 
Some are great for scrambling up, heart and lung workouts or a fast way down. Many more are aimed for by climbers with technical abilities to claim new goals in their confidence and thrills. Around the world there are many speactacular vertical drops. I wanted to take a look at a few:
Longest Purely Vertical Drop on Earth – Mount Thor
Simply a stunning looking drop too. On Baffin Island, Canada. The drop is an astounding vertical 1,250 m (4,100 ft). Sitting atop the overhang must be an incredible experience.. Yes, on the bucket list!
Highest Mountain Face in the World – Nanga Parbat (North Face)
Nanga Parbat is the 9th highest Mountain in the world (above sea level). This 8000er in Pakistan’s Rupal face stands 4,600 m (15,000 feet) above it’s base. Altitude, enormous face, extremes, there is a reason this mountain is called ‘The killer mountain’
Highest Waterfall on Earth – Angel Falls
These falls in Venezuela stand at an almighty 979 m (3212 ft). To put that into perspective.. Niagara Falls stands at just 53 m (173 ft). Or, if you think that the highest Mountain in England (Scafell Pike) is even one metre smaller! Yes, than a waterfall! Wonderful to look at, mesmerising to watch. So high that much of the water that starts coming over the top evaporates or blows away before hitting the bottom.
Huge Cliffs around the World
What is a cliff? Well it is defined normally as a near vertical rock face. That opens the door to many claims of the highest. Many believe it should naturally be Naga Parbat’s North Face mentioned earlier. To some it is not vertical enough. Here are other contenders including sea cliffs:
Trango Towers Pakistan
Being more vertical than the other option makes this a definitive highest cliff for most. In Pakistan and standing at 1340 m (4396 ft) the Great Tower of Trango Towers is a main goal of many technical climbers and even base jumpers.
Highest Sea Cliffs
According to The Guiness Book of Records this title belongs to the cliffs of Kalaupapa, Hawaii with a height of 1010 m (3314 ft).
However, the absolutely stunning Mitre Peak in New Zealand drops 1683 m (5522 ft) into the waters of Milford Sound. The most probable reason for not being counted is the fact that the Sound is classed a Fjord, not the Ocean/Sea.
A Cliff on Earth to beat them all though is deep deep under the Ocean on the Kermadec Trench. An 8000 m drop spanning just 4250 m. Wow!
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The Dyfi Osprey Project and the Scottish wildlife Trust have kindly given their permission for us to post still and video images from their webcams. To visit their sites please click on the relevant link. Loch of the Lowes. Dyfi Osprey Project.
When I brought my papers recycling bag in today, this moth was clinging to it. Does anyone know what it is? It wasn’t very happy at being disturbed, but I put it back outside on one of the plants so it could go back to sleep!!
Oops, forgot to say, click to enlarge the picture.
Hi Joyce just found one exactly the same in my book, its called Angle Shades.
It says, it folds its wings in a unique way when at rest, giving it the appearance of a dried, dead leaf. The colour on the wings vary from olive-green to reddish-brown, but the pattern is fairly consistent. Some individuals migrate north each year, swelling the numbers of resident moths in northern europe.
Hope that helps Joyce xxxx
Clever you, Susan, thank you!!
You beat me to it Susan – I only just came back up here and saw the photo and replied to Joyce before I saw your reply! lol well done! xx
I think its an Angle Shades Joyce ………… let me just confirm in my book. – Yes it is – they come in all different colours from brown through buff and even yellow. A very pretty moth. xx
Well done guys – I was just going to look it up – it’s a lovely specimen Joyce
Hi all a quick bob on and out. Thanx for pics of Bald hiker. Linda and Ziggy are ok everyone. I have had a busy day will go back now and catch up with all blogs.
Thanks for the news of Linda and Ziggy, Paula – we all miss her on here and hope she is gradually getting her life back in order. Please give her my best love when you are in contact with her again xx
Here’s a pic of an Angle Shades moth I found sitting on a seat in the bus station one day last year! People gave me funny looks as I took its photograph lol
Oh my goodness, dearest ‘Js’ I cannot apologise enough for muddling you three up – a very senior moment obviously – or not sufficient concentration! Thank goodness you are all on the ball and able to sort out my ‘confusions’ I’m glad you don’t have an unsympathetic boss JULIE, and thank YOU, for the Osprey/Shark story xxx.
SUSAN, hi. Thanks for news of Chrissy, please give her our love when next you are in touch. Glad to see that your shoulder and arm are a little better. Obviously the best thing to do is rest them as much as you can, so take special care of yourself.
PAULA So glad to know that Linda and Ziggy are well. I think of her often, thank you for news of them.
Now I think it is time that I closed down before I cause any more ‘J’ confusion tonight! Have a good night dear Friends – ‘see’ you tomorrow.
Back again, because I wanted to thank you MARION for pointing us to the latest Lowes blog. Sad that Lindsey’s contract has come to an end, though I dare say that she may be looking forward to a break. We must keep our fingers crossed that the camera doesn’t break down now.
I wonder if it will be ‘all change’ re: staff at the VC next year – hope Emma can stay.
Emma is on a three year contract so there will be some continuity with the ranger. Xxx
I’m going to say night night as it’s an early start for me – thanks for your good wishes.
Earlier I went up to Nature Reserve to watch the Starling roost – it has been impressive over the last few nights and I wanted to try to get some pictures but they fooled me and dived into a different reed bed at the far end – we guesstimated 7-8,000 – and the noise was incredible. Earlier in the day three Whooper Swans landed briefly but I missed them – would love to have seen them – they are one of my favourites – all the way from Iceland.
Have a good day tomorrow everyone – wrap up well and keep warm xxx