How Big are Mitchell Falls?

[iceman (Mike)]

It's almost impossible to convey in words or pictures the sheer size of Mitchell Falls, in the Kimberley region of NW Australia. When you look at a picture on its own, there's no scale - nothing to compare it to.

But a lone climber who, without ropes or any safety gear, climbed down into the falls and then back out again, gives us a glimpse of the size when you compare him to the entire falls.

I put this composite picture together to show the climber doing his work, while he amazed all of us photographing him.

The National Parks officers didn't think climbing the falls was such a great idea though, as a helicopter came and dropped off two officers to meet the climber at the top of the falls and escort him away. I'm sure he just got a warning

Full size image here: http://www.mikesalway.com.au/download/389

It was a great sight to behold!

[colinmlegg (Colin)]

Ah for the good old days when you could go anywhere and do what you like.

It would be nice if they had a different category for experienced climbers/photographers/adventure seekers. I got the same treatment when I climbed into Hancock gorge without ropes. I'd done it before in 2006 and knew the best route, but when I tried last year with backpack and camera I got a good ol' blasting from a local

[Miaplacidus (Brian)]

Ah, if you let one get away with it, then everybody'll be wanting to do it, and before you know it it'll be bloody Bourke St, with climbers getting tangled up in everybody elses' ropes, and before you know it the basin will be filled with pegs and the whole falls will be eroded away.

[sheeny (Al)]

An excellent Collage, Mike! Sometimes its the only way to convey scale.

As an ex-rescuer and an active promoter of adventure, I'm chewing heavily on my tongue and will refrain from any political comment about our nanny state (as this is not the place) except for...

Originally Posted by Miaplacidus

getting tangled up in everybody elses' ropes,

What ropes? He didn't use any.



Al.

[Miaplacidus (Brian)]

The rescuers' ropes, of course.