Ok, so we are off to climb the world's seven lowest mountains or those
landforms or objects identified as being a mountain by a reasonably
large part of the local population and identifiable by name on a map.
Just remember, local people know their area best and if they want to
call Springfield a 'city,' that's up to them.
First continent is Australia. We have one location there which can
fit perfectly with your plans of climbing in low places. It is grand
ol' Mount Morgan, a daunting challenge for many. You see, Mt Morgan
is actually a hole in the ground. Mount Morgan is an open-cut gold,
silver and copper mine and is the largest excavation in the Southern
Hemisphere, measuring some 800m across and 185m deep.
For international lowest peak climb recordkeeping, a climb must begin
with an ascent rather than a descent. So Mount Morgan is a "gimme."
You merely have to stand on the rim and look down.
Next is South America. I would highly reccomend the village of Monte
Perdido' (lost mountain) in Venezuela. The name says it all.
Once again, according to the rule book, you can't be faulted for
trying. If somebody lost the entire mountain before you got there,
you will not be blamed. It is another "gimme" and can be recorded as
a completed climb.
Now for Africa. When I started researching Africa, all I heard was
Mt. Nelson or Mount Nelson. There it was all over the place, Mt
Nelson this, Mount Nelson that. I couldn't escape it. It haunted my
dreams for minutes on end. I felt the call to go there myself.
Though Mount Nelson has pinkish cliffs that rise a hundred feet or so
and the underlying structure can be too soft to hold rope using
hardware, the ascent can be made by elevator. "The luxurious Mount
Nelson is undoubtedly one of South Africa`s most famous hotels,
synonymous with Cape hospitality since 1899. Now past her centenary
year, the Mount Nelson remains a much-loved landmark in the Mother
City, acknowledged by Condé Nast Traveler and Travel & Leisure readers
as the best hotel in Africa." - Quote from LuxRes hotel reservation
website.
Now I take some exception to that last statement about being the best
hotel in Africa. Mena House in Cairo makes the same claim and I can
vouche for that one.
Though the African entry is a building, it is listed on a map as a
"mount." The audience you have enraptured with the tales of your
globe circling adventure do not have to know the difference.
North America is a breeze. There are so many towns named Mt. this,
Mount that, or Sierra followed by something Lithuanian, all located
right on the coast at sea level, just pick one and go. Just do a
little research before picking. Some of these coastal towns are
sneaky and may have an inland portion which actually extends up a
hillside.
In Europe, it is much the same. Choose your own itinerary but make
sure you have all your needed equipment with you. As all of us
involved with minimal elevation climbing sports realize, altitudes
above a hundred feet can cause major oxygen starvation problems often
making us lightheaded, giddy and festive. One must not be too
lightheaded and giddy when perched on the edge of a two foot plunge.
Need I say "Breathrights" for lung capacity safety or spare ankle
bandages for when you forget?
Which brings us to exotic Asia. Mt. Fuji might count as long as you
are carried up the slopes and only disembark to walk the last few
feet. But that might be stretching things a bit and I know you
wouldn't settle for that.
And - - - - Oh good grief - - - - - I just read your last
clarification and man made objects don't count.
Oh well, back to the drawing board. I really wasn't going to post
this as an answer anyway. It meets none of your points. But just a
weak attempt at humor in the comments section.
(sigh)
I meant what I said about the Breathrights though.
Cheers
digsalot |
