Epoch Climb

[obie]

Olympus Mons: 68,897'

I would like to see a Rover shot of this from the base. Breathtaking might be an understatement.

"Olympus Mons, the central edifice stands 21 kilometers (around 13.05 miles/approx. 68897 ft) high above the mean surface level of Mars (about three times the elevation of Mount Everest above sea level and 2.6 times the height of Mauna Kea above its base). It is 550 km (342 miles) in width, flanked by steep cliffs, and has a caldera complex that is 85 km (53 miles) long, 60 km (37 miles) wide, and up to 3 km (1.8 miles) deep with six overlapping pit craters. Its outer edge is defined by an escarpment up to 6 km (4 miles) tall, unique among the shield volcanoes of Mars. For a size comparison Olympus Mons is approximately the size of the U.S. State of Arizona"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympus_Mons

[Taco]

Pfff, easy.

[obie]

Pfff, easy.

Let's see: 150-170 miles to top of crater from that 4 mile high bottom range/wall. Near space like conditions at top, funky weather, no Sherpas, no pre-set routes...umm...I'll give you 10 yrs on the first attempt and maybe 6-7 with good weather on the second - and you still have to hitch a ride out there. I might be missing something here.



Perspective of: Olympus Mons (Mars), Maxwell Monte (Venus) and Everest at the...gulp...lower right.

[Rumpled]

Just gain the ridge and on up you go.

[Taco]

Again, easy.

I'll do it without oxygen, too.

[obie]

No snow on Mars - bonus right there.

Gravity's what , 1/3 of Earths? Might be able to hop a bit.

I wonder if meteors might be a problem? Major UV bath all the way too.

The 4 mile high escarpment might be the bizness - hella lot of rope right there.

[Taco]

Meteors? Been hit by them climbing already.

No snow = problem for me. I get a +50 speed bonus on snow.

Rope = liability.

[obie]

He's done it all before...

[Taco]

Damn, ol' Flash Gordon had some skills back in the day.

[bluerail]

..so is someone looking for a partner here ?

[Rumpled]

..so is someone looking for a partner here ?

You drive, I'll chip in $20 for gas. That should cover it, right?

[Taco]

Considering you only need to get up to speed in space, $20 might be overkill. Bring some really comfy pillows, and a shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitload of beer.

[HikeUp]

I hear the crux is getting past the 1 square mile of DWA land without trespassing.

[obie]

and a shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitload of beer.

{{{{{{cough..cough..Hahhhhaha...}}}}}}}}

Bring yeast, bread, water, brewski stuff, and comic books.....Truly Self-spported.

[Taco]

Space brew.