Climbing Is Dangerous - Especially If They Shoot You

On Nanga Parbat, the 9th tallest mountain in the world, 11 climbers were murdered for their money. Article here. (That's one of the reasons I'm not going there this year. Another reason is cost. Oh, and the time needed to travel. Oh, and one other reason, I'd have to rough it.)

2,800 Miles Through The Himalaya

Father and son travel by motorcycle through the Himalaya. At about 2:30, the footage is a little stomach-churning. More info here.

Rain Can Be Dangerous

These flash flood chasers filmed what happens when 3 inches of rain falls in southern Utah. The good stuff starts at the 1:20 mark.

What A Great Way To Cool Off

Four guys were arrested driving a car with a swimming pool inside. "German police say a motorcycle cop couldn't believe his eyes when he saw four men, including the driver, splashing about in the open-top BMW..."

Teach Your Children

According to the photographer of "El Cap Reports", children are not taught to dress correctly to climb El Cap. He, like me, prefers climbers in red or other bright colors. 
"Mothers of America, teach your children the appropriate dress for ElCap!!! 

Rescue In Yosemite

The amount of resources spent to rescue climbers who voluntarily put themselves at risk, has always impressed me. Here, a solo climber hurts his back and is rescued by a team of 7-8, including a helicopter.

11 Minutes To Climb Devils Tower

"A few days Ago Felipe (guide at Devils Tower) just free soloed Walt Bailey on Devils Tower, in 6 minutes (about 170 ft of fingers and hands), then run through the 4th class trash in 5 min to make the summit in a total of 11 min. He's the man....Felipe beat Todd Skinners previous record of 18 min to the summit."    (This is from a posting on meetup.com.)

Bugs, Bogs, Bears, Belugas & A Bay - A Canoe Trip To Hudson Bay

Our canoes were surrounded by Beluga whales on our last day of canoeing into Hudson Bay. When they swam by they'd turn sideways to get their eye close to the surface and see who we were. In the video you can see the horseflies as well as the whales. Their breathing sounded like a bunch of old men who were running up a hill.

The day before, a big white rock in the middle of the Churchill River, turned out to be a mother Polar bear and her cub cooling off in the heat.

The tundra was full of bogs with quicksand-like mud. 

Adventure Climbing On Rattlesnake Bluff

Today, we did our first climbs on Rattlesnake Bluff. About 110' of unclimbed rock. (Mostly unclimbed; we found two very old pitons.) A couple of weeks ago, Ron and Peter did some trundling there, so today we decided to climb. More photos here.

The bluff from the road.

The top of the bluff.

Checking out a crack












The first route we climbed.

Looking up from the bottom.

Caving One Mile Underground

In Mexico, they've gone almost one mile underground to explore this cave.

Red Wing Wednesday

Here's Peter ripping it up on Doctor Limit.



Peter @ Dr Limit Red Wing 6-19-13 from rgsletten on Vimeo.

Stones That Sail

Up until now, no one has figured out how these "sailing stones" on the desert move. The latest theory is that they are pushed by the wind as they float on a bed of ice.  More here. 

"It's Sterile And Spiritless To Wait Until Success Is Assured"

This guys had some fun climbing the Nose in a little more than a day. They called it "slowest in-a-day ascent of 2013." They did some training but were admittedly not well trained for a NIAD climb. So why do it if you're not totally prepared? I love their answer:

"Our attempt was premature and overambitious, but it was that which made it romantic and enthralling. It's sterile and spiritless to wait to do something until success is assured; why not do it when success is unsure? When the unsureness will throw your brain into insomnia-inducing loops of unease and apprehension; when it will strain your friendships and romances; when it will push you into the furthest corners of your character and strength?"

Great photo before.













And 29 hours lof climbing later, at the summit. 

The Best Thing About Climbing At Red Wing

For Buddy, the best thing about Red Wing is getting food from others. Like from Miriam.


Eating Peas At RW 6-13 from rgsletten on Vimeo.

"When I Finish This Tower, I'll Go Find Another"

So says Alex Honnold in this ad as he climbs an easy - for him - 5.11.