Friday 27 June 2008

Sky Watch Friday

Just before Sunrise from Adam's Peak - 2,247m the 4th tallest mountain in Sri Lanka

This is just before sunrise from the summit of Adam's Peak (2,243m) the 4th tallest mountain in Sri Lanka. This was one of the rewards for starting at 1.00 a.m., climbing up for 4 hours and waiting for nearly 45 minutes in the cold because we had reached the summit a bit too early. This was photographed in 2005 when I guided a couple of young French-speaking Swiss tourists. For the average tourist, it usually takes about 5-6 hours to climb up via the Hatton route that we took. However, those that I had were sort of extraordinary and they just kept on going, going and going! It was a fantastic burn at the end!

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38 comments:

SandyCarlson said...

Sounds fantastic. It must have been great to be with enthusiastic climbers. This reward was wonderful. Thanks for sharing!

chrome3d said...

Very quiet and poetic looking photo. It talks to me. Sounds like a great trek.

marcia@joyismygoal said...

wow those layers are spectacular and the colors would make such a wonderful artwork for a home

Anonymous said...

Thanks for reminding of really good memories. I climbed it about twice during the peak period and off peak. Since then I have climbed likes of Fuji Sama (Mount Fuji) and Denali (Mt. McKinley, up to first camp). Recently about a month agao I climbed Lassen Volcano Peak.
I have been a silent visitor to your site. Thank you for all the information. I will be in touch with you regarding a project related to birds soon! ;)

Lara said...

wow, what a nice image!

Rhythmic Diaspora said...

Lovely photo Amila, thanks. Climbing Adam's Peak is something I still haven't done. I hope I can do at some point.

Dragonstar said...

I'm not sure if it's safe for me to visit the home of a dragon-slayer, but it was worth the risk. That's a lovely, dream-like shot. Beautiful!
Thanks for your kind visit.

Amila Salgado said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I'm back ... ops, that you already know!
Sorry ...

But guess what, I'm quite happy aboyt it.
If I didn´t rejoin SWF I would never have the chance to see great photos againg and some friends from SWF!

And you were quite right ... you were number 100!!!
We must drink to that!

Jane Hards Photography said...

Such gorgeous colours.

Amila Salgado said...

Hi Sandy,
It must have been great to be with enthusiastic climbers. Not really! We naturalists have evolved into slow and clumsy beings because we make constant stops on our walks to see and enjoy things. Hardcore trekking/climbing is not my cup of tea to be honest. My visitors were very fit people.

Hi chrome3d,
Thanks! Please refer the above. My legs are still aching.

Hi Marcia,
I too like those colours.

Hi Kalusudda,
Great to hear from you! I have seen your comments in other blogs. Nice to know you enjoyed climbing Adam's Peak. This was my only 'peak' climb & the balace three was done in the off-season. I visited the Peak Wilderness a week ago but didn't climb above 500m as it was too rainy and because we camped at Palabaddala, which is way too far from the summit. A report is coming up on the trip highlights. Sounds like you are a pretty serious climber. Nice to know that you have been a silent visitor to my blog. I look forward to hear from you about the project.

Hi Lara,
Thanks!Why did you retire so early? How come we didn't see you at the IPL? Oh! Sorry, you are a different Lara!

Hi RD,
Trying it in the off season through Kuruwita/Palabaddala trails over multiple days with camping break(s) in between is what I would like to reccommend. There're too many people, garbage and noise in the season. I have climbed through all three trails; Hatton, Palabaddala and Kuruwita. In one trip starting from Kuruwita, a group of 20 of us camped at the ambalama at Seetha Gangula. It made the climb easier on the following day as the distance was shortened. Doing the full mony from Kuruwita/Palabaddala side on just one day is not practicable for nature freaks such as myself as we make constant stops.

p.s. Hatton trail is for loosers.

Sandpiper (Lin) said...

This is really beautiful, Amila! Love those soft colors and the hills are gorgeous.

Amila Salgado said...

Hi Dragonstar,
Glad you took the risk and thanks for your comments! I will go easy on you.

Ho Quinttarantino,
The skies were weeping without you! We should drink for that for sure - here's a long Old Reserve Arrack on the rocks...Cheers!

Hi Babooshka,
Thanks! Nice to hear from you. Have a great day! I like your name.

Indrani said...

So I know whom to approach if we land in Sri Lanka right?:)
BEAUTIFUL shot!

Tom said...

Just to let you know I have visited and seen your post. I thank you for joining in this week and being part of the Sky Watch community.
Tom :O)

Gerald (Ackworth born) said...

Phew that is quite a climb (nothing I could do myself) but a great view from the top.

I enjoyed the comedy clip lower down on your blog too.

nina at Nature Remains. said...

Serenity.
That's lovely.

Nina at Nature Remains

Anonymous said...

This is the "icing on the cake". Absolutely beautiful!! You have a wonderful nature blog here. Thanks for visiting earlier. :)

AphotoAday said...

Well, I've heard of photographers getting up really early, but getting up at 1AM and hiking for four hours really "takes the cake"...   Fabulous shot!   Love all of those layered tones.

rachel said...

Thank you for my comment! this picture is just beautiful!!! The mountains look really pretty against the warm sunlight!

Amila Salgado said...

Hi Lin,
Oops! you got squeezed in the comment thread. Thanks a lot! I am glad this turned out okay as it was taken by a pretty ordinary point and shoot as you may be able to detect.

Hi Indrani,
Yes please! I will be very happy to guide you and show you the best of my country. I need some South Indian eatables when you come...

Hi Tom,
You are terrific host!
Sky Watch Rocks!

Hi Ackworth Born,
For my energetic visitors it was like a walk in the park! Obviously they were high altitude specialists. Unless you have knee/hip problems, this climb is not that difficult if you do it like ordinary people. Good to hear you enjoyed the comedy clip. That is one funny man.

Hi Nina,
I am so glad you dropped by. Your blog is like sheer poetry. Your writing is exceptional. Await a Sri Lankan invasion...

Hi April,
I like your name. And I am pleased to hear your comments. Your blog has a lot of readable content that hit my taste buds.

Hi Donald,
Indeed, it really takes the cake...! But then it is a 'done thing' during the 'peak' pilgrimage season as hundreds of visitors some very old do the climb overnight...of course taking their own sweet time. Coming from you, I am very pleased to hear that comment! What an eye you have!!! I will be back to learn more...

Mental P Mama said...

That is absolutely beautiful. Thank you for the nice little vacation...

Rose said...

this one is so beautiful.

Anonymous said...

great sky

Alan said...

Stunning. Well worth the physical effort to get up there, I'm sure.

Shimmy Mom said...

Great shot. I love how the only "color" is in the sky.
Very poetic.

Unknown said...

That is awesome! SWF

Unknown said...

a wonderful sunset! very nice!
thanks for coming to My Photoblog

Mustang Mike said...

Thanks so much. What a beautiful place to take a picture. Wonderful mountains against a sky. I looked at your entire post, just loved the dragon fly pictures. Neat. Mustang Mike

Lori said...

wow...I've never seen anything like this before...and I imagine - in person - I never will.

Thanks for bringing a new part of the world to this Kansas girl. It's truly spectacular.

Pat - Arkansas said...

Truly beautiful photo! Worth the climb in the dark and cold. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Unknown said...

Great capture for sky watch!
Have a nice weekend.

Unknown said...

I am back. No post today?Thanks for stopping by my place. Hope you are having a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

I like the subtle reduction in detail back through the haze. The sky with the wonderful color completes what is one fine shot!

Laski said...

Breathtaking . . .

What an amazing shot!!! This is one I could see framing and hanging!

Thanks for dropping by!

Amila Salgado said...

Hi Mental P Mama,
Thanks! Not a problem. Nice to hear from you.

Hi Rose,
Thanks! Have a good day!

Hi Tommy V,
Thank you! Have a good day!

Hi Alan,
Yes, it was worth the trouble. We were lucky that we had clear skies on this day.

Hi Shimmy Mom,
You’ve made a good observation. I too think the same. Thanks!

For The People,
Thanks for both your comments. I was in the field for most of the day photographing dragonflies. Await details the middle of the coming week.

Hi Luke,
Thanks. Your pictures are great!

Hi Mustang Mike,
Thanks! Await more dragonfly shots in the middle of the coming week.

Hi Lori,
Thanks! Yes it is a pretty amazing view you get from there. I have a few more shots that I took on that trip which I have saved for the future SKFs. They will be release one by one!

Hi Pat,
Thanks! The trail is illuminated all along during the peak pilgrimage season to enable pilgrims to climb up overnight. Most people prefer to do to avoid the heat of the day.

Hi John,
Thanks! Have a great day!

Hi Don,
Thanks! It very soon got changed into a different picture as you would be able to se in the future SWFs.

Hi LaskiGal,
Thanks! I can send you a printable jpeg if you want!

Modesto Viegas said...

Beautiful place and an excellent photo!!!
Regards

Amila Salgado said...

Hi Modesto,
Yes it is very special place, which is why you will enjoy the post that follows.

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