Cousin Scott and I were out looking for something called the "Aiguille de Joshua Tree", also called the "Finger of Hercules". It's a rock climbing destination in Joshua Tree National Park. Neither of us are rock climbers, but I thought in might be fun to photograph this rocky pinnacle. It wasn't hard to find, and after a little exploring, there it was!
I decided to challenge myself and see how far up the "finger" I could climb.
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| So far, so good. |
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| Starting to feel a little wobbly at this point! |
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| Pretty good, but also scary. |
A wonderful view, and pretty late afternoon golden light! Look really closely and you might be able to spot Cousin Scott in the two photos above.
A couple more photos of this beautiful aiguille.
Impressive, wouldn't you agree? Let me leave you with some wild and crazy shots of climbers on the Aiguille de Joshua Tree. I didn't take any of the photos below. Just Google "Aiguille de Joshua Tree" and these are the images that come up. I'll do my best to give credit to the photographer or web site. Enjoy!
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| Photo credit: https://www.fitssock.com/blogs/the-perfect-fit/in-the-wild-aiguille-de-joshua-tree |
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| Photo credit: https://www.mountainproject.com/photo/115149645/eric-catig-on-aiguille-de-joshua-tree |
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| Photo credit: https://www.reddit.com/r/climbing/comments/a35ml3/aiguille_de_joshua_tree_56/ |
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| Photo credit: https://climb-every-day.tumblr.com/post/117452518023/twol-instagramphotoleslietimmerz-enjoying |
According to Robert Miramontes' excellent publication Joshua Tree Bouldering, the Aiguille de Joshua Tree has a "horrible landing". That's climber speak for a jumble of sharp rocks below the pinnacle. That means that if the young lady's hand slips in the photo above, it's very likely to result in her death. I just can't get my head around how people stand upon, and hang off of, this rocky spire. I'm pretty sure you have to be under 30 years of age, and still have that good old feeling of invincibility, to do this sort of thing. A feeling that left me many years ago!
Linking with Skywatch Friday.
Thanks for dropping by, and be careful out there!!
research also shows that part of the brain making decisions is the last part to fully develop and mature - males may not have full maturity until after 25 but I think the young lady's hasn't developed at all!
ReplyDeleteSome people are fearless! You do get around Joshua Tree. Finding Cousin Scott was almost a "Where's Waldo" experience. As usual, your photographs are amazing. - Margy
ReplyDeleteAs you often do you have blown my mind. I learned a new word and seeing a new Wonder. Simply for the preservation of The Rock I hate to see people on top. As for those other considerations... You said it!
ReplyDeleteGreat sky shots.
ReplyDeleteoh yes, I can see why it's called the finger, that's quite a monument.
ReplyDelete...nature did a fabulous job sculpting your next if the woods!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'd've climbed as high as you did. Good job. Are you sure those others' photos weren't Photoshopped?
ReplyDeleteI've decided that at my age, gravity is not my friend. I don't climb ladders to put up Christmas lights any more and only rarely climb trees to find geocaches.
ReplyDeleteSome of those photos you found... Amazing what people will do
Incredible that people would put themselves up there! Your photo to the base was perfect!
ReplyDeleteCousin Scott - found! But only because he was wearing something red :)
ReplyDeleteI agree it is impressive. No way would I ever climb something anything like that. Way too slender. EGAD!!!!
ReplyDeleteMB
Great post and Amazing pics.
ReplyDeleteI think a feeling of self preservation comes to mind when looking at that rock. Wonderful photos
ReplyDeleteMark Twain once wrote an amusing piece about how he climbed to the summit of Mont Blanc. He achieved the feat by using a powerful telescope from the streets of Chamonix. What adventures he might have had if Photoshop was available in his day!
ReplyDeleteThat's amazing photos, I'm almost impressed with your photos on top of the rock, until I read your caption(lol), I bet it was a nice experience to climb on that rock.
ReplyDeleteNobody ever said ya hadda be smart to be alive. I'm tempted to send pictures of that finger to some certain bozos. As always, a delightful post!
ReplyDeleteThings people do to get a perfect selfie. Glad you´re safe, thank G for Photoshop..
ReplyDeleteHello, I think you did well climbing as far as you did. Could those other photos be photoshopped too? I would be afraid the rocks would go tumbling down, haven't some arches fallen in the Arches Nat'l Park. There are the stupid people who push the rocks and boulders over too, they think it's fun. I love all the photos, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your day, wishing you a great weekend!
Looks like you can fool anyone with photoshop.But a nice adventure and it delivers beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteGlorious captures and photoshops!
ReplyDeleteOK you had Sherry and I holding our breath for a second until you said it was photoshopped. :-O. Then you sent along the real ones and bring in our 80s made us sort of draw up, for a horrible landing. Wow what youth won't do has not been dreamed of yet I guess.
ReplyDeleteWe did enjoy the trip, thanks for inviting us along. It is for sure we won't just pass the sign pointing to Joshua Tree the next time we drive that way. We enjoyed every photo onthe trip today.
Sherry & jack
What a place ~ great rock formation ~ wonderful photos and even photoshopped ~
ReplyDeleteHappy Moments to You,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbour)
Amazing photos even with photoshop. :)
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the same thing as Eileen :-) The finger stands out well in the desert and makes a great focal point for photos. Lots of fantastic scenery in the desert.
ReplyDeleteWow - cool shots of that finger!
ReplyDeleteOMG! You were brave...with Photoshop. Well done! :)
ReplyDeleteI was very impressed, until I read that you had totally photoshopped the picture :-)) Beautiful scenery!
ReplyDeleteThrill seekers this week eh?
ReplyDeleteGorgeous as always. Looks like you "not really rock climbers" did pretty good.
ReplyDeleteYou had me fooled for a minute — I really thought you had made it to the top. As far as you did go was quite impressive, though. Maybe those others were photoshopped as well. Anyway, it’s an amazing rock formation.
ReplyDeleteAmazing photos with the rock. I really thought you climbed up to the top! Great work with the photoshop edition.
ReplyDeleteThat's some rock formation!
ReplyDeleteThose photos from Google are mind boggling and just plain crazy. I like your photo shopped shot though. I have good friends who live on the north side of Camelback Mountain here in Phoenix and when I'm visiting them, I see climbers on the formation known as the Praying Monk all the time. I think they are crazy and it's a big round rock. This one is like a needle.
ReplyDeleteWow! That certainly looks scary!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful formation indeed! But Oh my lord! I hope that last pic is also photoshopped. I am doubly glad the one of you on the top is. Honestly don’t understand the need to “conquer” nature . At least now I have my advanced age to explain that, but I never did understand that mindset.
ReplyDeletewow! interesting expedition. Also beautiful light in photos
ReplyDeleteMy heart is in my throat looking at those photos! The rock itself does not look that secure, as if someone piled all those other stones around it to hold it up! Thanks for the excitement (and you had me with the photoshopped pic!)
ReplyDeleteQuite a landscape!
ReplyDeleteNice to have such a family gathering and the photoshop tricks are as always funny in that still unbelievable landscape.
ReplyDeleteEeek! Absolutely no way SPP. I've never really understood the need for thrill seeking, there's enough to contend with in life without going out looking for more 😀 Fantastic photos and well done for getting half way up!
ReplyDeleteStunning desert pictures !
ReplyDelete