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｢伊吹山ドライブウェイ｣で除雪作業再開予定は4月19日（土）1日約8時間の作業で100ｍずつ

｢伊吹山ドライブウェイ｣で除雪作業再開予定は4月19日（土）1日約8時間の作業で100ｍずつ

去年11月から通行止めになっている伊吹山ドライブウェイで、4月19日の再開に向けた除雪が行われています。伊吹山ドライブウェイは、岐阜県関ケ原町から滋賀県米原市まで約17キロを結ぶ有料の自動車専用道路で、冬は雪に閉ざされ通行止めになります。再開に向けたことしの除雪作業は2月末に始まり、きょうは標高約1200メートルの8合目付近で作業員4人が、ショベルカー3台を使って雪を掻き分けました…

Conquering the World’s Second Tallest Mountain Without Sherpas

Unknown climbing, hiking, mountains, science, world

What is the tallest mountain on Earth? It turns out that this query is more contentious than one might initially assume.


 When measured from the average sea level, Mount Everest, standing at 29,032 feet (8,849 meters) tall and located on the boundary between Tibet and Nepal, is undoubtedly the tallest peak globally.


 However, if you measure a mountain from its base to its summit, the 33,500-foot (10,211-meter) Mauna Kea, an extinct shield volcano located on the Big Island of Hawaii, would actually rise highest.


 However, another competitor for the title of the tallest mountain emerges: Mount Chimborazo, an extinct stratovolcano located within the Cordillera Occidental range of the Ecuadorian Andes.


 Measured from sea level, Chimborazo stands approximately 8,500 feet below Everest which reaches up to 29,029 feet (about 8,848 meters) but interestingly, its summit extends an additional 6,800 feet closer towards space compared to Everest. This makes Chimborazo the spot on Earth nearest to the cosmos when measured from our planet’s core.


 "If you picture Earth as a small blue dot floating in space, it represents the single spot where you can stand and be equally distant from every point within that dot," says Derek Van Westrum, a physicist working for NOAA.
 National Geodetic Survey
 the federal organization responsible for mapping and charting


 The cause stems from Chimborazo’s position, situated 1.5 degrees south of the equator.


 Van Westrum points out that the planet, similar to numerous humans, has a slight bulge around its middle. "The Earth consists of rock and is largely spherical, however, due to its rotation, it expands at the equator," he states.


 The centrifugal force generated by the planet’s continuous spin compresses the rock, allowing Chimborazo to be farther from Earth’s center compared to taller mountains above sea level in the Himalayas or even those in the Andes—all situated closer to the poles.


 Recently, Ecuador has seized upon this interesting statistic to highlight Chimborazo as a rising tourist attraction. The concept is that, unlike Everest or Aconcagua (which stands tall as the tallest peak in the Andes range), this remarkable mountain is not only geographically accessible but also affordable for typical adventure seekers. These travelers often venture about four hours south from Quito right into its frost-covered slopes.

<h3>
 Climbing Chimborazo
</h3>

 Chimborazo ranks as number 39
 
 th
 
 the highest mountain in the Andes, when measured from sea level, but for a short period in the 19
 
 th
 
 century when it was believed to be Earth's tallest mountain.


 The story began with the prominent German geographer and explorer Alexander von Humboldt, who attempted to climb Chimborazo in 1802. He reached approximately 19,300 feet but then descended into the elevated valley which he subsequently named the Avenue of the Volcanoes.


 Nevertheless, his extensively read narratives of conquering this towering Andean peak attracted a continuous flow of European adventurers to Ecuador. Notable among these was the British climber Edward Whymper. After achieving famed first ascents on the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc in the Alps in 1880, he made history as the first recorded individual to reach the summit of Chimborazo.


 Each year, roughly 500 climbers try to reach the peak, says Santiago Granda, who serves as the Undersecretary of Promotion.
 Ecuador’s Ministry of Tourism
 He mentions that slightly more than half of them reach the summit due to various elements such as elevation, readiness, and severe weather conditions.


 The primary hiking period runs from late September through February, during which time the climate becomes more temperate and the mountains are typically covered with a heavy blanket of snow. However, according to Granda, one of the attractions of the Ecuadorian Andes is that it remains an all-year round destination, quite distinctively differentiating itself from most climbing centers around the world.


 The country's tallest mountains have fairly mild climates despite being situated within tropical regions, and they experience minimal differences in day length throughout the year. Many summits can be readily reached from major highland urban centers like Quito or Cuenca. For instance, Chimborazo stands roughly midway between these two cities along the Pan-American Highway.


 increasingly, individuals are beginning to come here to train and get ready for major challenges at Chimborazo," explains Granda. "Here, you are farther from the Earth's center and nearer to the stars than you'll ever be when standing anywhere else on this planet — and that's a significant attraction.

<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1rTGEQ" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1rTGEQ.jpg"/>

 Those who aim to reach the peak of the mountain usually do so within two days, unlike the approximately two months required for climbing Mount Everest. Naturally, climbers also need around one week of acclimation activities beforehand, according to Christian Valencia, CEO of Quito-based company.
 Activexpedition
 which organizes climbing expeditions to the peak.


 Valencia suggests starting with less challenging summits like Cayambe, Iliniza Sur, or Cotopaxi for acclimatization purposes. He advises climbing during the day but returning to lower altitudes at night to help your body adjust gradually. Additionally, before tackling Chimborazo, Valencia emphasizes the importance of training with crampons and ice axes since this ascent requires technical skills.

<h3>
 Merchants of ice and Incan sacrifices
</h3>

 Similar to other Ecuadorian outfitters, Valencia provides milder adventure tours to Chimborazo.


 Treks reaching heights of up to 17,000 feet (5,180 meters) usually come after four days of previous adjustment at the adjacent lodge-to-lodge facilities.
 Quilotoa Loop
 Visitors to Chimborazo can subsequently explore the stonework Whymper Refuge, the reflective Condor Cocha Lagoon, and the tropical glaciers.
 Which serve as indicators of global warming
 .


 Many people visit these glaciers specially to encounter Baltazar Ushca, known as the last
 hielero
 (ice merchant) of Chimborazo.


 For generations, indigenous Ecuadorian men used to work as ice vendors, delivering glacial chunks to the settlements beneath them until the advent of refrigeration. Today, this octogenarian is the sole individual still transporting these icy blocks downhill to the neighboring city of Riobamba, where they are mixed into a renowned beverage known as the "neck-breaker."

<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1rTGEU" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1rTGEU.jpg"/>

 Other visitors head to Chimborazo for its distinctive high-altitude ecosystem. As Granda points out, "Some Ecuadorians experience snow for the very first time here." Consequently, even those who aren’t aiming for the peak often visit for the lake, now a highly sought-after attraction.


 The mountain serves as a sanctuary for 8,000.
 rewilded vicuñas
 , the wild predecessors of domesticated alpacas, and inhabited by the planet’s largest hummingbirds, which dart about a blooming evergreen bush named
 chuquiraga
 There are also groves of twisted trees.
 queuña
 , capable of thriving at elevations greater than those sustained by any other tree species.


 An additional attraction is the mountain's history from before Columbus' time.


 Chimborazo served as the location for sacrificial rituals involving young girls and boys during the time of the Incas. These practices were believed to placate the deities and ensure bountiful crops. Even today, native communities hold great respect for Tayta Chimborazo, also known as "Father Chimborazo," viewing him as a potent force.
 apu
 , or mountain deity. Tales tell of his intense affair with the smaller but more dynamic Tungurahua volcano.


 Valencia explains that the mountain holds significant importance for all Ecuadorians and can be found depicted on the country's coat of arms.


 It doesn't matter if I've been here multiple times," he remarks. "Each visit leaves me with an intense feeling of energy.


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Conquering the World’s Second Tallest Mountain Without Sherpas

Unknown climbing, hiking, mountains, science, world

What is the tallest mountain on Earth? It turns out that this query is more contentious than one might initially assume. When measured from the average sea level, Mount Everest, standing at 29,032 …

Tanzania Trekking: 5 Unmissable Landscapes on Kilimanjaro

Unknown africa, beautiful places, mountains, travel destinations, wildlife

<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1oHQ0j" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1oHQ0j.jpg"/>

 From lush tropical rainforests to the unending expanse of snow atop Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest summit, every step of the ascent showcases distinct and breathtaking vistas.


 
 From lush tropical rainforests to icy permafrost, every step of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa, offers distinct and breathtaking vistas. In celebration of the launch of the new Air France Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) - Kilimanjaro (JRO) service beginning on November 18, 2024, we present five extraordinary natural scenes you can encounter during your journey up this majestic African landmark.
 


 <h2 class="wp-block-heading">
 Between 1,800 meters and 2,800 meters lies a thick and moist montane woodland.
 </h2>


 
 From the outset, you find yourself enveloped in the vivid environment of the dense mountain forest surrounding Kilimanjaro’s base in Tanzania. This warm and moist region, situated between 1,800 and 2,800 meters elevation, boasts an abundant variety of flora including towering ferns, cascading lichens, and stately trees. As you progress, expect to encounter the lively calls of colorful avian species as well as glimpses of frequently seen blue monkeys and colobus monkeys native to these woodlands.
 


 <h2 class="wp-block-heading">
 Between approximately 2,800 and 4,000 meters above sea level, one can find heath and moorlands.
 </h2>


 
 When you exit the rainforest, you arrive at a moorland plateau blanketed with heather, situated between 2,800 and 4,000 meters above sea level. Here, the air turns cooler by several degrees, transforming the scenery entirely; forests yield to resilient bushes and native flora like colossal groundsel and towering lobelias. Meandering paths traverse undulating terrain dotted with flowering heather, providing unobstructed vistas of the valley floors beneath.
 


 <h2 class="wp-block-heading">
 Between 4,000 and 5,000 meters lies the alpine desert region.
 </h2>


 
 As elevation rises, plant life becomes sparse. Situated between 4,000 and 5,000 meters lies the alpine desert zone, characterized by its dry, stony terrain dotted with volcanic stones. Harsh climate patterns, remnants of old lava eruptions from the nearby volcano, along with insufficient oxygen levels lend this region a lunar appearance. Notably, within this section resides one of the most striking landmarks on your journey: the awe-inspiring Barranco Wall—a towering rock formation measuring nearly 300 meters in height—which can only be navigated via a slender trail, proceeding in a line as climbers hold onto the precipice for support.
 


 <h2 class="wp-block-heading">
 At an altitude of 5,000 meters, you'll find glaciers and permanent snow cover.
 </h2>


 
 As you approach the peak, climbing higher than 5,000 meters, you reach an area covered with eternal snow and ice fields. Despite their recent retreat due to climate change, Kilimanjaro’s glaciers remain awe-inspiring. Particularly striking is the sight of the Rebmann Glacier on the mountain’s southern slope, offering climbers some of the most unforgettable moments during their ascent.
 


 <h2 class="wp-block-heading">
 Around 5,895 meters high, the crater along with the breathtaking panorama from the summit offers a stunning vista.
 </h2>


 
 After several hours of hiking, you're nearly at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. Often, the journey to the Kibo crater begins during the night so that climbers arrive at the edge of the caldera just as the sun rises. From there, it’s merely a 200-meter stroll across the crater—a short one-hour walk—to get to Uhuru Peak, which stands tall at 5,895 meters above sea level. The vista from the peak is absolutely stunning. With good visibility, you can gaze out over vast expanses below.
 <a href="https://www.en-vols.com/en/getaways/travel/best-safari-tanzania/" rel="noreferrer noopener">
 Tanzanian savannah
 </a>
 , the adjacent mountains and occasionally even
 <a href="https://guide.en-vols.com/en/adresse/kenya-or-kilimanjaro-mountain-reach-new-heights/" rel="noreferrer noopener">
 Mount Kenya
 </a>
 on the horizon.

Tanzania Trekking: 5 Unmissable Landscapes on Kilimanjaro

Unknown africa, beautiful places, mountains, travel destinations, wildlife

From lush tropical rainforests to the unending expanse of snow atop Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest summit, every step of the ascent showcases distinct and breathtaking vistas. From lush tropical …

｢伊吹山ドライブウェイ｣で除雪作業 再開予定は4月19日（土）1日約8時間の作業 で100ｍずつ

Conquering the World’s Second Tallest Mountain Without Sherpas

Tanzania Trekking: 5 Unmissable Landscapes on Kilimanjaro

｢伊吹山ドライブウェイ｣で除雪作業再開予定は4月19日（土）1日約8時間の作業で100ｍずつ