Makalu at Sunrise by Harry Kikstra

Saturday, 12th April 2008

Makalu from the third step on Everest

by Harry Kikstra

Makalu is the 5th highest mountain on earth. Looking down on it means you are higher, in this case about the 3rd ‘Step’ on Everest.
Seeing the sunrise chasing away the nightly cold over the cloud sea is incredible and makes you feel more alive than ever, even when being in the center of the ‘Death Zone’…
Location: Everest, Himalayas

Equipment: Eos 5d +50mm

Harry Kikstra

Who am I?
Harry Kikstra, a climber/expedition leader/ photographer/ filmmaker/ producer/ writer/ public speaker/ cycler and many other things that have to do with sharing the beauty of the outdoors.
I have climbed the 7 continental highpoints and have traveled a lot and will not stop soon, though normally I am based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. See ExposedPlanet to learn more about me or just Google me in word or images.
My other site 7summits.com is focused on the mountains, this site will also show more of the culture and other nature that is to be found on our 7 continents.
I hope that it will sparkle your imagination, make you curious or even just educate you a bit, being maybe the 3 most important aspects of society in my view. A picture can say more than a 1000 wars and can maybe help understand the world around us. It’s a small place, so maybe we can make the best of it together.
I have started ExposedPlanet.com not only as a way to show my portfolio, but also to share the beauty of our planet. Nowadays negative press & media might make people scared of everything foreign or different: culture, religion, people and the places themselves.
This xenophobia is taking over our lives and prevents us from seeing the real world as it is: a wonderful place with beautiful people. There are no bad or evil countries, religions or people. There is bad and good people in every culture, including your own.
I hope I can share a bit of the amazement I have enjoyed while traveling the 7 continents. The more I see, the more I know I still have to see and I will. Life is too short to focus on not-existing enemies & fears.
Comments are more than welcome, but please do not just say “great shot” or something similar, but let me know why this image (didn’t?) touch you. Many thanks.

http://exposedplanet.com

25 Comments

colin Says:
April 12th, 2008 at 2:45 am
Hey man nice shot!!! First class photo with an even better description,
cheers!
Tony Eckersley Says:
April 12th, 2008 at 5:35 am
Wow - such an inspirational picture and description. Had a good look through your portfolio and was very impressed. This shot makes me want to get back on the road and continue my travels. Thanks for sharing.
Anurag Says:
April 12th, 2008 at 6:25 am
Overwhelmed!!…… by everything here. The beauty and the grand scale of what is seen in this image, Your endevours, ……..everything.
Reuben Chircop Says:
April 12th, 2008 at 6:27 am
Wonderful shot not photographically speaking but emotionally speaking it made me feel like a bird over watching what is going on down there. Then when i read your description it made me feel myself again for I agree with you try to raise awareness of the simplest things in life which are as a matter of fact the most important things, life being one of them. Thank you Harry for sharing this moment with us.
Gerry Pacher Says:
April 12th, 2008 at 6:37 am
Breathtaking view …. but be careful!

Regards, Gerry
Dennis Says:
April 12th, 2008 at 6:51 am
This shot touched me in a several ways. First, I appreciate what it took to get there. Second, I just like it - although I would have liked to see a panorama from the same vantage point.. Third, it gives me a chance to ask a critical question that has bugged me for awhile. How do you maintain a set of charged batteries for your 5D on a trip such as this? I have not been able to find a solar charging alternative for my 5D batteries and have thus stayed away from treks/climbs in favor of places where I had nightly access to electricity.
Harry, ExposedPlanet.com Says:
April 12th, 2008 at 7:42 am
Hi Guys,

thanks much for your comments, glad my image inspires you. By the way, in the back is Kanchenjunga, many miles away..

About the batteries: first of all there are many solar panel systems out there, the only thing you need is a 12v (car) charger for your batteries to connect it to.
I think my 12v charger was from Lexmar, with separate holders for different types of batteries (for my pana videocamera as well).

You can really charge anything with a solar panel, if it is big enough, but nowadays with the foldable ones, that should not be a problem. 12v comes natively from most panels, but if you connect the panel to a good battery, you can use that battery to charge a laptop.

Anyway, I actually did not have my panel with me this trip as I was one of the organisers of our expedition. We had a generator with 220v at BC and ABC (6400m/21000ft), from there you only have to keep the batteries on your body for another few days….
Ahmed Sharif Says:
April 12th, 2008 at 8:31 am
what a place!!…….. and what a fantastic description!!…… thanks to you, we are witnessing some of the fantastic creations of Nature……. all the very best wishes!!
hhkA Says:
April 12th, 2008 at 8:39 am
congratulations! What a serine view. Keep it up and let your enthusiasm going.
elaine Says:
April 12th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Thankyou Harry….for taking me on your journey…..can we have some more please?
ibtisam Says:
April 12th, 2008 at 11:08 am
a…..w….e….s…o…m…e!!!
Chris Says:
April 12th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
No, it is not just a great shot, it is totally breathtaking! Looking at the top of the world through your eyes is rare privilege.
_butt Says:
April 12th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
This shot takes my breath away. I’m speechless! The clouds looked like a layer of woolen sweater to me at one point (don’t mind my odd description). Very comfortable for the eyes.

Thank you Harry. Thanks for sharing with us.
Buffy Says:
April 12th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
awesome!
Tom Says:
April 12th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Grand. Awesome.
Ann Says:
April 12th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Oh yes, this image certainly touched me for all the reasons given by previous comments. Also took a look at exposed planet.com. Found if very enlightening, shall visit again and look forward to updates. Keep up the good work.
Yanaar Lee Says:
April 13th, 2008 at 12:03 am
Wow. How did you get up there? Above the clouds… very lovely. Thanks for sharing.
Laurie Says:
April 13th, 2008 at 12:35 am
It looks like islands jutting out of a sea of foam. Intriguing!
a. Says:
April 13th, 2008 at 3:01 am
This makes me feel so small. Magnificent photo!
Marc Says:
April 13th, 2008 at 3:18 am
My new screensaver!
Cindy Says:
April 13th, 2008 at 4:44 am
I so love what you wrote in your bio. I also travel the world and find incredible beauty and lovely people wherever I go. I traveled my young children to the USSR so they would learn the value of global community. Now they are young adults with friends all over the world. Thank you for sharing your good heart, and for bringing us along with you in your intimate photos.
Pauline Jones Says:
April 13th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Look what things people are willing to get up to in order to win a place on Earthshots. It’s great to see all the places on earth that I’m never likely to have the money, the freedom, or the youth to ever go to. I agree that there are no evil countries, there are good and bad in all races. That doesn’t stop the prejudice and the wars though does it?
istvan Says:
April 13th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
great timing for this shot, light and clouds are perfect and the view is out of this world.
I was on Mt Shishapangma in Tibet, but dont have such a view from there.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/xtremepeaks/256115659
Su Says:
April 12th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Inspiring vision and photo you have here.
Sue Gagnon Says:
May 12th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Lovely and yes, inspiring photo.