2 years ago
498
9
Dhaulagiri is a behemoth, rising 23,000 feet from the Kali Gandaki River in a space of just 20 miles. • You can see our proposed ski route on the prominent ridge second from skyline left, an exponential curve leading to the massive north face snowfield. Approached from below, the relative safety (key word: relative) of the ridge above 6,000 meters is guarded by dizzying exposure to serac, avalanche and rockfall hazard on the lower mountain. • In this photo two prominent depressions are visible, where ice blocks outweighing an angry herd of yaks regularly break free from the glacier and rake scars across the mountainside, sweeping away all in their path. The true extent of the overhead hazard that must be accepted by climbers on the standard route is much greater than visible here, and exists on all sides during the hourslong approach to Camp 1. • The inevitable sound of the roaring thunder from these towering, unstable walls echoed through base camp like clockwork throughout the course of each day. With fresh snow came fresh avalanche debris. To my knowledge, no one was hit by snow or icefall this season. How many times you’re willing to roll the dice in a quest for the summit is a question only you can answer. • It’s always tough to walk away at the end of a grand adventure. You can replay the process and decision making in your mind, over and over, searching for a different choice that could have turned the tide. Or you can simply accept that trying to outsmart the mountain or rationalize the weather is akin to playing a high stakes game of roulette, and moving on with life and limb trumps all. • @luke_smithwick @thehimalaya500 @gaiagps @blackdiamond_snow • • • • • #DhaulaSki #WhiteMtnSkiExped #nepal #kathmandu #himalaya #dhaulagiri #thewhitemountain #mountaineering #highaltitude #climbing #skiing #snow #kaligandaki #expedition #travel #adventure #mountains #exploring #getoutside #nature #wanderlust #roamtheplanet #wilderness #bepresent #neverstopexploring #alwaysgo #aroundtheworld #adventureseeker #goexplore #backcountry
Breathtaking!
2 years ago
Wow😍
2 years ago
Great photo
2 years ago
Absolutely beautiful🔥🙌
2 years ago
😍
2 years ago
Dhaulagiri is a sacred beautiful mountain🙌
2 years ago