A golden age of mountaineering,1950-1964,was marked by first ascents of the 8,000 meter peaks.
1950
Annapurna I
1953
Mt.Everest
Nanga Parbat
1954
K2
Lhotse
Cho Oyu
1955
Makalu
Kangchenjunga
1956
Manaslu
Gasherbrum III
1957
Broad Peak
1958
Gasherbrum I
1960
Dhaulagiri I
1964
Shisha Pangma
Today,Everest is quite congested at times,with trash accumulated at the higher camps.There is a question as to whether too many unqualified persons are attempting the climb.National Geographic published a scathing assessment of conditions on the roof of the world recently.It would seem that Nepal needs to step back and reform this sacred site while they still can.
In contrast,the other high Himalayan peaks are relatively sparsely explored.The most dangerous of them all,Annapurna I,has taken one life for every three safe returns.
In 1953,climbing Everest was an astonishing challenge.Those who met it with the first ascent,Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Sherpa,will forever merit their foothold in history.
Showing posts with label National Geographic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label National Geographic. Show all posts
Friday, May 31, 2013
Friday, November 23, 2012
McNeil River Brown Bears
Alaska brown bears(Ursus arctos) are visible from the viewing platforms at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game's McNeil River Wildlife Sanctuary and Refuge.The record is 74 bears at one time as the fearsome animals flock to McNeil River and Mikfik Creek in search of spawning salmon from June to August.
A photo of a brown bear cub taken at the site is featured in the previous post.It was a National Geographic Photo of the Day.
A bearcam also streams live webcasts from the area.
Spots on the viewing platforms are allocated by lottery under the strict conservation regimen imposed by the Department.Viewers are escorted by guides and accompanied by an armed warden.To date,no bear/human incidents have occurred at the site.
The roadless Sanctuary and Refuge consist of some 200 square miles.
Grizzly bears(Ursus arctos horribilis) are a subspecies of brown bear with grizzled fur that has also been called silver-tipped.They are smaller than the brown bears of Southern Alaska because the southern bears have a richer diet and warmer climate.The Kodiak bear(Ursus arctos middendorffi) is another subspecies of brown bear that is limited to Kodiak Island and is the world's largest brown bear.
Brown bears also occur in Western Europe in very small numbers,and in large numbers in the wildlands of Russia.The grizzly bear subspecies once ranged into Mexico and as far east as Lake Erie.
A photo of a brown bear cub taken at the site is featured in the previous post.It was a National Geographic Photo of the Day.
A bearcam also streams live webcasts from the area.
Spots on the viewing platforms are allocated by lottery under the strict conservation regimen imposed by the Department.Viewers are escorted by guides and accompanied by an armed warden.To date,no bear/human incidents have occurred at the site.
The roadless Sanctuary and Refuge consist of some 200 square miles.
Grizzly bears(Ursus arctos horribilis) are a subspecies of brown bear with grizzled fur that has also been called silver-tipped.They are smaller than the brown bears of Southern Alaska because the southern bears have a richer diet and warmer climate.The Kodiak bear(Ursus arctos middendorffi) is another subspecies of brown bear that is limited to Kodiak Island and is the world's largest brown bear.
Brown bears also occur in Western Europe in very small numbers,and in large numbers in the wildlands of Russia.The grizzly bear subspecies once ranged into Mexico and as far east as Lake Erie.
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