There is a new Google Earth release. Apart from many fine new features, mountaineers now have the ability to see the mountains in much more detail than that previously. Once you have got the hang of the tilt and slide feature of the mouse then the mountains open up into 3D. I know this is not new, but the detail now shown is much more enhanced than before.
The photos below show the summit of our own Mulhacen in the Sierra Nevada. One shot is from directly above and the other from a position looking at the north face. I am sure many of you can pinpoint many of the mountains features.
This raises the question? In a few years will we be able to climb virtual mountains? This has advantages of course. We will not get avalanched; need to be rescued; get hit by falling stones when we are not wearing a helmet; endure cold, wind or need to have frostbitten extremities amputated etc etc. We shall also not require guides, equipment, gear, flights and other related costs. What a lot of money we shall all save!
I have already started on this myself. Indeed, just this morning I have visited Mt Denali base camp in Alaska, stood on the top of Everest, climbed the exit cracks on the Eiger north face and covered Shackletons exploits in the Antarctic in the early 1900′s. Below is a photo of me on top of the Matterhorn, which I managed to achieve in between a toasted bacon sandwich and the highlights of yesterday’s Six Nations rugby internationals!
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