Aconcagua Not Tallest?

by Erik Olsen on

I think it was just a year or so a go that a good buddy of mine spent three weeks down in Argentina acclimatizing and then climbing Mount Aconcagua in the Andes. Why did he do it? Well, because it was there And because it is the tallest mountain in the Western Hemisphere. There is pride to be taken in an accomplishment like that. Especially for desk jockeys like us.

But it turns out my friend’s accomplishment may lost some of its luster. A team of French and Chilean climbers are undertaking an effort to determine whether Americas’ highest summit really is Aconcagua in Argentina, or if that title should actually go to Ojos del Salado in Chile.

“Proving that it is the highest spot in Latin America could change world climbing history,” one of the French climbers said. And he’s right. That would be a big, big deal. And just think of the increase in tourism in Chile, not to mention the blow to national pride in Argentina. Marc Turrel, editor of Andes Magazine, said such a change would dramatically effect the appeal of Ojos and draw climbers to Chile instead of Argentina. Aconcagua is listed in the record books at 22,841 feet, while Ojos del Salado comes in at 22,614 feet, but the new measurements may change that. But it looks like we’re going to wait not just for these new results, but for the results of another climb to the top of Aconcagua, which they are also remeasuring.

Why they didn’t already have this figured out with all the high tech wizbangery we have at our disposal is a mystery to me, but we’ll find out soon, I guess, which mountain and country gets the honor. The answer could be a big deal for both these countries and for my friend.

Tree Climbing School

by Neil Woodburn on

Climbing trees was always a passion of mine as a child. The fact that I don’t spend much time doing so any more is a tragedy of my adult life.

But now I can journey to the state of Oregon and enroll in a special class that caters to those of us suffering from tree-climbing withdrawal.

Tree Climbing Northwest, located in the town of Cave Junction, focuses on a different type of tree climbing than I practiced in my youth. According to Los Angeles Times Staff Writer, Robin Rauzi, the school tackles the big trees with a series of ropes and complicated knots. In fact, one doesn’t even get close to climbing a tree until all the knots–such as the complicated Self-Advancing Blake’s Hitch–are mastered.

Tree Climbing Northwest offers a variety of classes, most of which are surprisingly expensive. Their 2 ½ day Basic Tree Climbing Course, for example, runs $450. Man! I remember the days when tree climbing was free.

On the other hand, motivating people who otherwise wouldn’t climb up and enjoy the canopy, is actually quite priceless. So, hats off to the brachiating instructors who are undoubtedly introducing people to a world they normally wouldn’t ever experience.

The Extreme List

by Erik Olsen on

Sure, there are the 1000 Places to Go Before You Die. That’s a fine list and one that can help the average traveler see the best places in the world before drawing your terminal breath. But is there such a thing as Extreme Things to Do Before You Die. I mean, there seems to be Extreme everything else. Extreme cooking even.

Here is a site dedicated to Extreme places. The highest place on earth – Mount Everest (or maybe not), the lowest place on earth the Dead Sea, the largest natural feature on the Earth – the Great Barrier Reef, the oldest piece of earth on, um, Earth – in Australia. And my favorite: Mount Thor, Canada: the Greatest Vertical Drop on the Earth with a 4100 foot shear cliff that must fill the dreams of many a BASE jumper.

The list goes on, and to be honest, it is quite an enjoyable read. What’s even better is that nice photo accompany most entries. Now this would be a great goal, to visit and photograph yourself, perhaps even to dance, at every one of these places.

Mt. Everest: the Highest Point on Earth?

by Justin Glow on

Most of us learned early in life that Mt. Everest was the highest point on earth. Today the mountain is lusted after by adrenalin-hungry climbers looking to stand on the top of the world. But is Mt. Everest really the highest point on Earth?

It depends on how you look at it.

Because the Earth isn’t a perfect sphere, but actually an “oblate spheroid” — meaning it bulges at the equator — there’s another point on the planet that is actually closer to outer space than Mt. Everest: an inactive volcano in Ecuador, Mt. Chimborazo. Although the mountain stands almost 10,000 feet below Mt. Everest, the equatorial bulge extends its peak 1.5 miles further into space.

“If you define ‘highest’ as highest from sea level, Mount Everest is still champion,” says NPR’s Robert Krulwich. “But if you want to stand on the place on Earth that is closest to the moon, that would be Mount Chimborazo!”

One for the Road (04/03/07)

by Kelly Amabile on

A collection of “intimate essays and prose poetry” about life as a female climber — sounds like an interesting combo for the memoir of an adventurous athlete, no? But that is exactly how Steph Davis’ new book is described by her publisher. High Infatuation: A Climber’s Guide to Love and Gravity gathers new and previously released material that touches on “universal themes of life, love, friendship and personal empowerment” all told through the lens of an expert climber.

This concert pianist turned risk-taking rock climber is now respected as one of the world’s most accomplished in her sport. Davis has been profiled in publications including Outside, Men’s Journal, W Magazine, and Sports Illustrated and is sponsored by brands like Mammut, Patagonia and Clif Bar.

And lucky Gadling readers near Bellingham, WA can head over to Village books where Davis will be appearing this evening.