I just kind of wanted to go and explore the world and have an adventure so I hit
the world and have an adventure so I hit
the world and have an adventure so I hit upon motorized paragliding it was a
upon motorized paragliding it was a
upon motorized paragliding it was a really terrific tool for exploring you
really terrific tool for exploring you
really terrific tool for exploring you can go to places no one’s ever really
can go to places no one’s ever really
can go to places no one’s ever really been before downrange from the Chinese
been before downrange from the Chinese
been before downrange from the Chinese military rocket range favorite corridor
military rocket range favorite corridor
military rocket range favorite corridor for heroin smugglers do 600 feet tall
for heroin smugglers do 600 feet tall
for heroin smugglers do 600 feet tall and once you get in it’s almost
and once you get in it’s almost
and once you get in it’s almost impossible to climb back out I didn’t
impossible to climb back out I didn’t
impossible to climb back out I didn’t really know what the hell I was doing
tonight I’d like to share with you my
tonight I’d like to share with you my own personal journey it’s one that’s
own personal journey it’s one that’s
own personal journey it’s one that’s taken me to every continent and for the
taken me to every continent and for the
taken me to every continent and for the past 15 years to apply overtly every
past 15 years to apply overtly every
past 15 years to apply overtly every patch of sand on earth I grew up in
patch of sand on earth I grew up in
patch of sand on earth I grew up in Beverly Hills and life up to that point
Beverly Hills and life up to that point
Beverly Hills and life up to that point had been pretty easy for me and so I was
had been pretty easy for me and so I was
had been pretty easy for me and so I was looking for a challenge and I hit upon
looking for a challenge and I hit upon
looking for a challenge and I hit upon the idea to go hitchhiking across Africa
the idea to go hitchhiking across Africa
the idea to go hitchhiking across Africa and my friend Kurt holzinger
and my friend Kurt holzinger
and my friend Kurt holzinger let me his camera we figured that I’d be
let me his camera we figured that I’d be
let me his camera we figured that I’d be seeing you know bare breasted women
seeing you know bare breasted women
seeing you know bare breasted women people’s plates in their lips and the
people’s plates in their lips and the
people’s plates in their lips and the kind of stuff you see in National
kind of stuff you see in National
kind of stuff you see in National Geographic and I should have a camera
Geographic and I should have a camera
Geographic and I should have a camera but I don’t really know anything about
but I don’t really know anything about
but I don’t really know anything about photography I just kind of wanted to go
photography I just kind of wanted to go
photography I just kind of wanted to go and explore the world and have an
and explore the world and have an
and explore the world and have an adventure so that’s what I did and I got
adventure so that’s what I did and I got
adventure so that’s what I did and I got to the edge of Algiers by bus and then I
to the edge of Algiers by bus and then I
to the edge of Algiers by bus and then I started I put my thumb out and I had a
started I put my thumb out and I had a
started I put my thumb out and I had a French dictionary and a lot of hutzpah I
French dictionary and a lot of hutzpah I
French dictionary and a lot of hutzpah I learned French a little Arabic a little
learned French a little Arabic a little
learned French a little Arabic a little Swahili along the way and I also I also
Swahili along the way and I also I also
Swahili along the way and I also I also learned the the three rules of
learned the the three rules of
learned the the three rules of hitchhiking which are never to pay for a
hitchhiking which are never to pay for a
hitchhiking which are never to pay for a ride to drink any water that comes out
ride to drink any water that comes out
ride to drink any water that comes out of a pipe in in three when you arrive in
of a pipe in in three when you arrive in
of a pipe in in three when you arrive in a village walk around looking stupid
a village walk around looking stupid
a village walk around looking stupid friendly and non-threatening and someone
friendly and non-threatening and someone
friendly and non-threatening and someone will take you in and I didn’t really
will take you in and I didn’t really
will take you in and I didn’t really know what I was doing about photography
know what I was doing about photography
know what I was doing about photography but I felt like I started to kind of
but I felt like I started to kind of
but I felt like I started to kind of pretend that I was working for National
pretend that I was working for National
pretend that I was working for National Geographic and so
Geographic and so
Geographic and so I want it I went up into the ruins or a
I want it I went up into the ruins or a
I want it I went up into the ruins or a mountains in Uganda and I heard there’s
mountains in Uganda and I heard there’s
mountains in Uganda and I heard there’s a revolutionary movement so I sought out
a revolutionary movement so I sought out
a revolutionary movement so I sought out the king of the revolution is this guy
the king of the revolution is this guy
the king of the revolution is this guy in the leisure suit and he I had to wait
in the leisure suit and he I had to wait
in the leisure suit and he I had to wait a week to see this guy and he gave me
a week to see this guy and he gave me
a week to see this guy and he gave me this long manifesto addressing members
this long manifesto addressing members
this long manifesto addressing members of the Foreign Press which was only me
of the Foreign Press which was only me
of the Foreign Press which was only me and when I got to Sudan I got there and
and when I got to Sudan I got there and
and when I got to Sudan I got there and unfortunately in the rainy season in the
unfortunately in the rainy season in the
unfortunately in the rainy season in the only way across was to ride the trend in
only way across was to ride the trend in
only way across was to ride the trend in heaven of hitchhiking I couldn’t pay for
heaven of hitchhiking I couldn’t pay for
heaven of hitchhiking I couldn’t pay for a ticket so I wrote on the top of the
a ticket so I wrote on the top of the
a ticket so I wrote on the top of the train which smelled a lot better on the
train which smelled a lot better on the
train which smelled a lot better on the inside of the train but it had a
inside of the train but it had a
inside of the train but it had a drawback is when you had to go to the
drawback is when you had to go to the
drawback is when you had to go to the toilet you had about 5000 people
toilet you had about 5000 people
toilet you had about 5000 people cheering for you I spent two and a half
cheering for you I spent two and a half
cheering for you I spent two and a half years hitchhiking around in Africa what
years hitchhiking around in Africa what
years hitchhiking around in Africa what I really wanted to do was to go and
I really wanted to do was to go and
I really wanted to do was to go and explore the world for the geographic and
explore the world for the geographic and
explore the world for the geographic and I started doing aerial photos by plane
I started doing aerial photos by plane
I started doing aerial photos by plane and planes are great they’re very safe
and planes are great they’re very safe
and planes are great they’re very safe but they’re problematic and that you
but they’re problematic and that you
but they’re problematic and that you generally are flying kind of high and
generally are flying kind of high and
generally are flying kind of high and the planes a slow Cessna will fly maybe
the planes a slow Cessna will fly maybe
the planes a slow Cessna will fly maybe six two hundred miles an hour but things
six two hundred miles an hour but things
six two hundred miles an hour but things are going by pretty fast and so even
are going by pretty fast and so even
are going by pretty fast and so even with it with the door off you’re limited
with it with the door off you’re limited
with it with the door off you’re limited by a plane and I was getting pictures
by a plane and I was getting pictures
by a plane and I was getting pictures but I was frustrating I wanted to find
but I was frustrating I wanted to find
but I was frustrating I wanted to find something better so I hit upon motorized
something better so I hit upon motorized
something better so I hit upon motorized paragliding if you look in this map
paragliding if you look in this map
paragliding if you look in this map you’ll see that there is um this is that
you’ll see that there is um this is that
you’ll see that there is um this is that this is uh Paul connect crater when I
this is uh Paul connect crater when I
this is uh Paul connect crater when I saw this and I thought well to get it
saw this and I thought well to get it
saw this and I thought well to get it I’m going to have to get up really high
I’m going to have to get up really high
I’m going to have to get up really high because if it’s eight miles across line
because if it’s eight miles across line
because if it’s eight miles across line that’d be really high use really wide
that’d be really high use really wide
that’d be really high use really wide angle lens and we hit set up camp here
angle lens and we hit set up camp here
angle lens and we hit set up camp here and I took off taking about an hour to
and I took off taking about an hour to
and I took off taking about an hour to get up to about 6,000 feet and this is
get up to about 6,000 feet and this is
get up to about 6,000 feet and this is what I saw so you can see in my altima
what I saw so you can see in my altima
what I saw so you can see in my altima tur I’m five thousand five hundred and
tur I’m five thousand five hundred and
tur I’m five thousand five hundred and thirty seven feet above takeoff in seven
thirty seven feet above takeoff in seven
thirty seven feet above takeoff in seven thousand four hundred and seventy three
thousand four hundred and seventy three
thousand four hundred and seventy three feet maximum altitude and with my little
feet maximum altitude and with my little
feet maximum altitude and with my little aircraft the time that was about as high
aircraft the time that was about as high
aircraft the time that was about as high as I hit go and this is this scared the
as I hit go and this is this scared the
as I hit go and this is this scared the hell out of me being up this high it’s
hell out of me being up this high it’s
hell out of me being up this high it’s really nerve-wracking flying this high
really nerve-wracking flying this high
really nerve-wracking flying this high so I found it’s actually helpful to take
so I found it’s actually helpful to take
so I found it’s actually helpful to take pictures while you’re flying because it
pictures while you’re flying because it
pictures while you’re flying because it helps calm you down
helps calm you down
helps calm you down you concentrate something else besides
you concentrate something else besides
you concentrate something else besides dying
it was a really terrific tool for
it was a really terrific tool for exploring you can go to places no one’s
exploring you can go to places no one’s
exploring you can go to places no one’s ever really been before and that’s quite
ever really been before and that’s quite
ever really been before and that’s quite extraordinary it was also a great way to
extraordinary it was also a great way to
extraordinary it was also a great way to jolly for locals the kids thought it was
jolly for locals the kids thought it was
jolly for locals the kids thought it was fun but the old people they said oh
fun but the old people they said oh
fun but the old people they said oh these guys he said they want to die but
these guys he said they want to die but
these guys he said they want to die but God has not chosen their time but you
God has not chosen their time but you
God has not chosen their time but you get to really remote places this is um
get to really remote places this is um
get to really remote places this is um in northern Chad on the Libyan border
in northern Chad on the Libyan border
in northern Chad on the Libyan border and this area had been mined when
and this area had been mined when
and this area had been mined when Libya invaded Chad and hardly anybody
Libya invaded Chad and hardly anybody
Libya invaded Chad and hardly anybody had been into this valley there were
had been into this valley there were
had been into this valley there were there were no tracks or a few goat
there were no tracks or a few goat
there were no tracks or a few goat herders and you can find you know Virgin
herders and you can find you know Virgin
herders and you can find you know Virgin Trains you can fly over things and Leave
Trains you can fly over things and Leave
Trains you can fly over things and Leave No Trace it’s really quite a privilege
No Trace it’s really quite a privilege
No Trace it’s really quite a privilege to go and see a place that really nobody
to go and see a place that really nobody
to go and see a place that really nobody has ever seen before from the air and
has ever seen before from the air and
has ever seen before from the air and one of the great things that my aircraft
one of the great things that my aircraft
one of the great things that my aircraft too is I can I can see things in kind of
too is I can I can see things in kind of
too is I can I can see things in kind of a different way I mean here you have it
a different way I mean here you have it
a different way I mean here you have it you can see how the seasonal winds are
you can see how the seasonal winds are
you can see how the seasonal winds are pushing big fingers of sand into this
pushing big fingers of sand into this
pushing big fingers of sand into this salt lake the lake here is saltier than
salt lake the lake here is saltier than
salt lake the lake here is saltier than seawater and if you if you walked around
seawater and if you if you walked around
seawater and if you if you walked around between around the palm trees you could
between around the palm trees you could
between around the palm trees you could drink fresh water your footprints this
drink fresh water your footprints this
drink fresh water your footprints this is really typical phenomena I saw these
is really typical phenomena I saw these
is really typical phenomena I saw these in salt lakes and almost every desert I
in salt lakes and almost every desert I
in salt lakes and almost every desert I went to is the edge of the lakes there
went to is the edge of the lakes there
went to is the edge of the lakes there would be fresh water in your footprints
would be fresh water in your footprints
would be fresh water in your footprints and the lakes were salty sterile and
and the lakes were salty sterile and
and the lakes were salty sterile and travel like this is not cheap generally
travel like this is not cheap generally
travel like this is not cheap generally in my trips cost about a thousand
in my trips cost about a thousand
in my trips cost about a thousand dollars a day and that’s for the honour
dollars a day and that’s for the honour
dollars a day and that’s for the honour to be able to sleep in the sand and eat
to be able to sleep in the sand and eat
to be able to sleep in the sand and eat bad food you you know live in camp in
bad food you you know live in camp in
bad food you you know live in camp in plays like this because the next morning
plays like this because the next morning
plays like this because the next morning you can go and see something like that
you can go and see something like that
you can go and see something like that this is in Central Chad from there you
this is in Central Chad from there you
this is in Central Chad from there you can just see you can see patterns you
can just see you can see patterns you
can just see you can see patterns you can see the forces that that shape the
can see the forces that that shape the
can see the forces that that shape the desert you can understand it much better
desert you can understand it much better
desert you can understand it much better um you can also get pictures of people
um you can also get pictures of people
um you can also get pictures of people in wildlife that aren’t running away
in wildlife that aren’t running away
in wildlife that aren’t running away from you I spent about five or six
from you I spent about five or six
from you I spent about five or six flights trying to photograph camel
flights trying to photograph camel
flights trying to photograph camel caravans and finally I was lucky when I
caravans and finally I was lucky when I
caravans and finally I was lucky when I was in the year of the caravans pass
was in the year of the caravans pass
was in the year of the caravans pass each other in opposite directions this
each other in opposite directions this
each other in opposite directions this is going out to get salt in the central
is going out to get salt in the central
is going out to get salt in the central Sahara India towards the end of the trip
Sahara India towards the end of the trip
Sahara India towards the end of the trip I was I was amazed that I’d actually
I was I was amazed that I’d actually
I was I was amazed that I’d actually been able to survive that actually was
been able to survive that actually was
been able to survive that actually was possible to fly this thing and not get
possible to fly this thing and not get
possible to fly this thing and not get not get hurt and get amazing picture so
not get hurt and get amazing picture so
not get hurt and get amazing picture so I started thinking about what have you
I started thinking about what have you
I started thinking about what have you like to take this aircraft other parts
like to take this aircraft other parts
like to take this aircraft other parts of the world I hatched this idea to try
of the world I hatched this idea to try
of the world I hatched this idea to try and maybe you interesting to to
and maybe you interesting to to
and maybe you interesting to to photograph all the world’s deserts and I
photograph all the world’s deserts and I
photograph all the world’s deserts and I the Sahara was really interesting but
the Sahara was really interesting but
the Sahara was really interesting but what would we like to take my aircraft
what would we like to take my aircraft
what would we like to take my aircraft to to the Gobi or the Atacama or The
to to the Gobi or the Atacama or The
to to the Gobi or the Atacama or The Empty Quarter of Arabia
Empty Quarter of Arabia
Empty Quarter of Arabia so I started hatching the Grand Tour and
so I started hatching the Grand Tour and
so I started hatching the Grand Tour and I started to try to I thought I’d try
I started to try to I thought I’d try
I started to try to I thought I’d try and knock these deserts off
and knock these deserts off
and knock these deserts off one at a time when I was researching the
one at a time when I was researching the
one at a time when I was researching the Sahara
Sahara
Sahara I’d heard I ran into a scientist in
I’d heard I ran into a scientist in
I’d heard I ran into a scientist in Berlin who had also been working out in
Berlin who had also been working out in
Berlin who had also been working out in the Gobi and he told me about this area
the Gobi and he told me about this area
the Gobi and he told me about this area of the of the Gobi called the body and
of the of the Gobi called the body and
of the of the Gobi called the body and Juran has the tallest sand dunes in the
Juran has the tallest sand dunes in the
Juran has the tallest sand dunes in the world but most unusual are the dunes
world but most unusual are the dunes
world but most unusual are the dunes separated by lakes and that this was
separated by lakes and that this was
separated by lakes and that this was really weird like why aren’t the lakes
really weird like why aren’t the lakes
really weird like why aren’t the lakes filled up with sand to get an area like
filled up with sand to get an area like
filled up with sand to get an area like this was really tricky physically it was
this was really tricky physically it was
this was really tricky physically it was difficult but politically it was
difficult but politically it was
difficult but politically it was difficult too because this is just
difficult too because this is just
difficult too because this is just downrange from the Chinese military
downrange from the Chinese military
downrange from the Chinese military rocket range so to get permission I
rocket range so to get permission I
rocket range so to get permission I signed a letter of agreement with the
signed a letter of agreement with the
signed a letter of agreement with the Chinese at Kennedy of science I got
Chinese at Kennedy of science I got
Chinese at Kennedy of science I got letter agree between the National
letter agree between the National
letter agree between the National Geographic Society and the CIS and we
Geographic Society and the CIS and we
Geographic Society and the CIS and we hired 30 camels and 10 ponies to go out
hired 30 camels and 10 ponies to go out
hired 30 camels and 10 ponies to go out into the body and Juran dunes trying to
into the body and Juran dunes trying to
into the body and Juran dunes trying to solve the mystery of why these lakes
solve the mystery of why these lakes
solve the mystery of why these lakes weren’t filled with sand and most of the
weren’t filled with sand and most of the
weren’t filled with sand and most of the people we found out there were old
people we found out there were old
people we found out there were old people the young people were required to
people the young people were required to
people the young people were required to go to school and once they went to
go to school and once they went to
go to school and once they went to school they decided they wanted a modern
school they decided they wanted a modern
school they decided they wanted a modern life didn’t want to go back to chasing
life didn’t want to go back to chasing
life didn’t want to go back to chasing after goats
after goats
after goats this is juju an old widow and um she was
this is juju an old widow and um she was
this is juju an old widow and um she was making us a pot of tea by boiling water
making us a pot of tea by boiling water
making us a pot of tea by boiling water and an old satellite dish covered in
and an old satellite dish covered in
and an old satellite dish covered in mirrored fragments
mirrored fragments
mirrored fragments that’s the little Hut that’s where she
that’s the little Hut that’s where she
that’s the little Hut that’s where she lives year round and she she was really
lives year round and she she was really
lives year round and she she was really sweet she gave us half of a bottle of
sweet she gave us half of a bottle of
sweet she gave us half of a bottle of whiskey at the time we were there most
whiskey at the time we were there most
whiskey at the time we were there most people think of deserts as sandy areas
people think of deserts as sandy areas
people think of deserts as sandy areas but most deserts are actually gravel
but most deserts are actually gravel
but most deserts are actually gravel Plains and the Gobi actually means
Plains and the Gobi actually means
Plains and the Gobi actually means gravel Plains in the local language and
gravel Plains in the local language and
gravel Plains in the local language and here they’re harvesting red pepper out
here they’re harvesting red pepper out
here they’re harvesting red pepper out of the plains this is the Shanghai basin
of the plains this is the Shanghai basin
of the plains this is the Shanghai basin which is between Tibet and the
which is between Tibet and the
which is between Tibet and the Taklamakan so I’m about toes about 8,000
Taklamakan so I’m about toes about 8,000
Taklamakan so I’m about toes about 8,000 feet and another area the Taklamakan
feet and another area the Taklamakan
feet and another area the Taklamakan where the rivers coming out of the tons
where the rivers coming out of the tons
where the rivers coming out of the tons on mountains drain into the sand this is
on mountains drain into the sand this is
on mountains drain into the sand this is me after a very bad morning of flying in
me after a very bad morning of flying in
me after a very bad morning of flying in the Taklamakan I hit a tree on takeoff
the Taklamakan I hit a tree on takeoff
the Taklamakan I hit a tree on takeoff and got 17 stitches in my face we’ve
and got 17 stitches in my face we’ve
and got 17 stitches in my face we’ve fixed my motor and I wouldn’t fly in the
fixed my motor and I wouldn’t fly in the
fixed my motor and I wouldn’t fly in the next morning after I did my travels in
next morning after I did my travels in
next morning after I did my travels in China I decided to try my luck in Saudi
China I decided to try my luck in Saudi
China I decided to try my luck in Saudi Arabia and the empty court of Saudi
Arabia and the empty court of Saudi
Arabia and the empty court of Saudi Arabia is this big Petra saying this is
Arabia is this big Petra saying this is
Arabia is this big Petra saying this is the largest sand sea in the world it’s
the largest sand sea in the world it’s
the largest sand sea in the world it’s the size of France Belgium and Holland
the size of France Belgium and Holland
the size of France Belgium and Holland combined it’s extremely dangerous place
combined it’s extremely dangerous place
combined it’s extremely dangerous place to go nobody goes in there there’s no
to go nobody goes in there there’s no
to go nobody goes in there there’s no point of a potable water there’s no
point of a potable water there’s no
point of a potable water there’s no permanent habitation and it’s all sand
permanent habitation and it’s all sand
permanent habitation and it’s all sand not a single rocket there this is the
not a single rocket there this is the
not a single rocket there this is the empty quarter at sunrise and the fog
empty quarter at sunrise and the fog
empty quarter at sunrise and the fog lasted about
lasted about
lasted about 45 seconds and soon as the Sun hit it
45 seconds and soon as the Sun hit it
45 seconds and soon as the Sun hit it all evaporated the red sand means it’s
all evaporated the red sand means it’s
all evaporated the red sand means it’s extremely old probably hundreds of
extremely old probably hundreds of
extremely old probably hundreds of thousands of years old because takes
thousands of years old because takes
thousands of years old because takes that long to oxidize that much sand in
that long to oxidize that much sand in
that long to oxidize that much sand in the trail across it is very difficult
the trail across it is very difficult
the trail across it is very difficult and very dangerous I mean you can
and very dangerous I mean you can
and very dangerous I mean you can imagine that these dunes are about 600
imagine that these dunes are about 600
imagine that these dunes are about 600 feet tall and most of the salt flats
feet tall and most of the salt flats
feet tall and most of the salt flats you’re seeing here are bounded by slip
you’re seeing here are bounded by slip
you’re seeing here are bounded by slip phases of the dune so once you get in
phases of the dune so once you get in
phases of the dune so once you get in it’s almost impossible to climb back out
it’s almost impossible to climb back out
it’s almost impossible to climb back out and if you burn a clutch or you break
and if you burn a clutch or you break
and if you burn a clutch or you break your transmission you’re really stuffed
your transmission you’re really stuffed
your transmission you’re really stuffed out there that’s why we have three cars
out there that’s why we have three cars
out there that’s why we have three cars in a pinch we could you know get out in
in a pinch we could you know get out in
in a pinch we could you know get out in two cars in a real tight spot we could
two cars in a real tight spot we could
two cars in a real tight spot we could all abandon all the gear and get out
all abandon all the gear and get out
all abandon all the gear and get out with one car get you really careful of
with one car get you really careful of
with one car get you really careful of your water in your fuel and to define
your water in your fuel and to define
your water in your fuel and to define interesting things to photograph out
interesting things to photograph out
interesting things to photograph out there I relied on that satellite images
there I relied on that satellite images
there I relied on that satellite images this friend of mine at NASA had given me
this friend of mine at NASA had given me
this friend of mine at NASA had given me yellow is sand and the purple in blue is
yellow is sand and the purple in blue is
yellow is sand and the purple in blue is the the salt flats the mud flats before
the the salt flats the mud flats before
the the salt flats the mud flats before I went I spent weeks going through
I went I spent weeks going through
I went I spent weeks going through satellite images kind of like looking at
satellite images kind of like looking at
satellite images kind of like looking at your carpet through a straw because you
your carpet through a straw because you
your carpet through a straw because you know that the resolution I was trying to
know that the resolution I was trying to
know that the resolution I was trying to look for fine scale features of
look for fine scale features of
look for fine scale features of interesting to photograph sometimes you
interesting to photograph sometimes you
interesting to photograph sometimes you don’t really understand what these
don’t really understand what these
don’t really understand what these satellite photos mean but you start you
satellite photos mean but you start you
satellite photos mean but you start you know you see where you are and what the
know you see where you are and what the
know you see where you are and what the photo looks like and you get an idea
photo looks like and you get an idea
photo looks like and you get an idea what might be interesting and this was
what might be interesting and this was
what might be interesting and this was an area I thought might be worth
an area I thought might be worth
an area I thought might be worth exploring in Yemen see these migratory
exploring in Yemen see these migratory
exploring in Yemen see these migratory dunes that see the winds moving this
dunes that see the winds moving this
dunes that see the winds moving this direction
direction
direction so those is moving and from the ground
so those is moving and from the ground
so those is moving and from the ground you really have no idea that what you’re
you really have no idea that what you’re
you really have no idea that what you’re looking at you just it’s just kind of
looking at you just it’s just kind of
looking at you just it’s just kind of this lumpy ground and you’re kind of
this lumpy ground and you’re kind of
this lumpy ground and you’re kind of lost but you get up and you can
lost but you get up and you can
lost but you get up and you can understand the shapes of things and for
understand the shapes of things and for
understand the shapes of things and for human elements you just have to go and
human elements you just have to go and
human elements you just have to go and spend time and talk to people and find
spend time and talk to people and find
spend time and talk to people and find things this is a Amanda lettuce camels
things this is a Amanda lettuce camels
things this is a Amanda lettuce camels out to graze early in the early morning
out to graze early in the early morning
out to graze early in the early morning on the edge of the empty quarter and the
on the edge of the empty quarter and the
on the edge of the empty quarter and the other way we tried to get pictures was
other way we tried to get pictures was
other way we tried to get pictures was infrared cameras that were triggered by
infrared cameras that were triggered by
infrared cameras that were triggered by the animals coming to drink and I set up
the animals coming to drink and I set up
the animals coming to drink and I set up an infrared beam across the edge of this
an infrared beam across the edge of this
an infrared beam across the edge of this little pond in organ pipe cactus
little pond in organ pipe cactus
little pond in organ pipe cactus National Monument doesn’t be testing out
National Monument doesn’t be testing out
National Monument doesn’t be testing out the camera but anyway set up the sound
the camera but anyway set up the sound
the camera but anyway set up the sound like a photobooth and everything that
like a photobooth and everything that
like a photobooth and everything that came down to drink we got its picture
came down to drink we got its picture
came down to drink we got its picture this is a bar no we really after though
this is a bar no we really after though
this is a bar no we really after though we’re mountain lions and even the
we’re mountain lions and even the
we’re mountain lions and even the mountain lions would come down to drink
mountain lions would come down to drink
mountain lions would come down to drink and hunt at the water holes and after a
and hunt at the water holes and after a
and hunt at the water holes and after a week we got a picture this female and
week we got a picture this female and
week we got a picture this female and this is their first picture and then she
this is their first picture and then she
this is their first picture and then she was freaked out she’s trying to where’s
was freaked out she’s trying to where’s
was freaked out she’s trying to where’s that where’s that flash coming from and
that where’s that flash coming from and
that where’s that flash coming from and she looked one way and she looked
she looked one way and she looked
she looked one way and she looked another
another
another and then bingo we got her picture after
and then bingo we got her picture after
and then bingo we got her picture after the US had invaded both Afghanistan and
the US had invaded both Afghanistan and
the US had invaded both Afghanistan and Iraq I thought it might be a good time
Iraq I thought it might be a good time
Iraq I thought it might be a good time to go to Iran it’s a beautiful country
to go to Iran it’s a beautiful country
to go to Iran it’s a beautiful country it’s a bit like Nevada on steroids you
it’s a bit like Nevada on steroids you
it’s a bit like Nevada on steroids you have mountain ranges with big salt bases
have mountain ranges with big salt bases
have mountain ranges with big salt bases in between and this was out in the dashi
in between and this was out in the dashi
in between and this was out in the dashi Luke another fascinating area it’s a dry
Luke another fascinating area it’s a dry
Luke another fascinating area it’s a dry lake and it gets pounded by winds that
lake and it gets pounded by winds that
lake and it gets pounded by winds that come from just one direction and the
come from just one direction and the
come from just one direction and the wind it arose these lumps in rose it’s a
wind it arose these lumps in rose it’s a
wind it arose these lumps in rose it’s a geological formation called yardangs you
geological formation called yardangs you
geological formation called yardangs you find these also on Mars and it’s a
find these also on Mars and it’s a
find these also on Mars and it’s a favorite corridor for heroin smugglers
favorite corridor for heroin smugglers
favorite corridor for heroin smugglers which makes a really difficult area to
which makes a really difficult area to
which makes a really difficult area to go to because you can’t get a police
go to because you can’t get a police
go to because you can’t get a police escort because they’re all afraid to get
escort because they’re all afraid to get
escort because they’re all afraid to get shot that the penalty for heroin
shot that the penalty for heroin
shot that the penalty for heroin trafficking in Iran is death and so if
trafficking in Iran is death and so if
trafficking in Iran is death and so if the heroin smuggler sees any vehicle out
the heroin smuggler sees any vehicle out
the heroin smuggler sees any vehicle out there the first thing I’ll do is shoot
there the first thing I’ll do is shoot
there the first thing I’ll do is shoot at it because I got nothing to lose so
at it because I got nothing to lose so
at it because I got nothing to lose so we had a really hard time getting an
we had a really hard time getting an
we had a really hard time getting an escort but we’re able to go when we got
escort but we’re able to go when we got
escort but we’re able to go when we got out there we found these fantastic dunes
out there we found these fantastic dunes
out there we found these fantastic dunes all the all the sand that had been blown
all the all the sand that had been blown
all the all the sand that had been blown out of those yardangs got learning’s
out of those yardangs got learning’s
out of those yardangs got learning’s massive sand dunes on the Afghan border
massive sand dunes on the Afghan border
massive sand dunes on the Afghan border this is BAM it’s one of the great
this is BAM it’s one of the great
this is BAM it’s one of the great ancient cities and it was destroyed
ancient cities and it was destroyed
ancient cities and it was destroyed about two weeks after this picture was
about two weeks after this picture was
about two weeks after this picture was taken at a massive earthquake that
taken at a massive earthquake that
taken at a massive earthquake that killed thousands of people it was the
killed thousands of people it was the
killed thousands of people it was the biggest piece of mud architecture in the
biggest piece of mud architecture in the
biggest piece of mud architecture in the world and it was leveled they’re been
world and it was leveled they’re been
world and it was leveled they’re been rebuilt so I got tired of Iran I had a
rebuilt so I got tired of Iran I had a
rebuilt so I got tired of Iran I had a lot of trouble it got arrested three
lot of trouble it got arrested three
lot of trouble it got arrested three times in the fourth time we had we were
times in the fourth time we had we were
times in the fourth time we had we were about to get a rest of you had to flee
about to get a rest of you had to flee
about to get a rest of you had to flee the country and so I just got a little
the country and so I just got a little
the country and so I just got a little tired the Middle East and aside it was
tired the Middle East and aside it was
tired the Middle East and aside it was time to go back to Africa and Chris
time to go back to Africa and Chris
time to go back to Africa and Chris John’s the editor of the magazine gave
John’s the editor of the magazine gave
John’s the editor of the magazine gave me a wonderful job to photograph Africa
me a wonderful job to photograph Africa
me a wonderful job to photograph Africa he wanted me to find all of Africa from
he wanted me to find all of Africa from
he wanted me to find all of Africa from the air what kind of a great job is that
the air what kind of a great job is that
the air what kind of a great job is that this is in Namibia we put my aircraft
this is in Namibia we put my aircraft
this is in Namibia we put my aircraft and all this junk in this Cessna and we
and all this junk in this Cessna and we
and all this junk in this Cessna and we would fly around and we see what we
would fly around and we see what we
would fly around and we see what we could get from the air this is in SOSUS
could get from the air this is in SOSUS
could get from the air this is in SOSUS flight in namibia from the plane but you
flight in namibia from the plane but you
flight in namibia from the plane but you want to see wildlife and that plane is
want to see wildlife and that plane is
want to see wildlife and that plane is too fast we spotted these um these
too fast we spotted these um these
too fast we spotted these um these circles called fairy circles they’re
circles called fairy circles they’re
circles called fairy circles they’re kind of mysterious information that no
kind of mysterious information that no
kind of mysterious information that no one really understands and it was in a
one really understands and it was in a
one really understands and it was in a wildlife preserve we saw some zebras
wildlife preserve we saw some zebras
wildlife preserve we saw some zebras that who with my paraglider I can
that who with my paraglider I can
that who with my paraglider I can probably heard the Zebras into the fairy
probably heard the Zebras into the fairy
probably heard the Zebras into the fairy circles and we get some great pictures
circles and we get some great pictures
circles and we get some great pictures plane you can never do that this is from
plane you can never do that this is from
plane you can never do that this is from the plane there’s a living dunes of the
the plane there’s a living dunes of the
the plane there’s a living dunes of the name of desert they get their own water
name of desert they get their own water
name of desert they get their own water from from Warren
from from Warren
from from Warren fog and this is the wreck of the Edouard
fog and this is the wreck of the Edouard
fog and this is the wreck of the Edouard Boleyn it was a ship that ran aground in
Boleyn it was a ship that ran aground in
Boleyn it was a ship that ran aground in 1909 so you can see how much the the
1909 so you can see how much the the
1909 so you can see how much the the beach sand is accreted since 1909 in 100
beach sand is accreted since 1909 in 100
beach sand is accreted since 1909 in 100 years and they have a tremendous uh
years and they have a tremendous uh
years and they have a tremendous uh wildlife along the shores is the seal
wildlife along the shores is the seal
wildlife along the shores is the seal colony at Cape Fria they’re about a
colony at Cape Fria they’re about a
colony at Cape Fria they’re about a hundred thousand Cape fur seals there
hundred thousand Cape fur seals there
hundred thousand Cape fur seals there and when I started fine down the beach
and when I started fine down the beach
and when I started fine down the beach they all bolted for the water so I had I
they all bolted for the water so I had I
they all bolted for the water so I had I had one go it was quite a stench though
had one go it was quite a stench though
had one go it was quite a stench though and I’m coming down low you can see
and I’m coming down low you can see
and I’m coming down low you can see there are some seals in the background
there are some seals in the background
there are some seals in the background that are still sleeping and then they’re
that are still sleeping and then they’re
that are still sleeping and then they’re starting to wake up when they’re the
starting to wake up when they’re the
starting to wake up when they’re the other ones running and you kinda it’s
other ones running and you kinda it’s
other ones running and you kinda it’s like pulling a zipper and you go down
like pulling a zipper and you go down
like pulling a zipper and you go down the beach and they all go into the water
the beach and they all go into the water
the beach and they all go into the water and you get one shot at it for the day
and you get one shot at it for the day
and you get one shot at it for the day this is in Algeria a city called gardiah
this is in Algeria a city called gardiah
this is in Algeria a city called gardiah and when you’re walking around Gardai
and when you’re walking around Gardai
and when you’re walking around Gardai you’re going through these little narrow
you’re going through these little narrow
you’re going through these little narrow passageways is kind of medieval city and
passageways is kind of medieval city and
passageways is kind of medieval city and you have no idea what it looked like
you have no idea what it looked like
you have no idea what it looked like from above and it gets so hot in the
from above and it gets so hot in the
from above and it gets so hot in the summer that they will sleep up on the
summer that they will sleep up on the
summer that they will sleep up on the roof but they’re very private they want
roof but they’re very private they want
roof but they’re very private they want people to see them under sleeping so
people to see them under sleeping so
people to see them under sleeping so they have these kind of like walled off
they have these kind of like walled off
they have these kind of like walled off rooftop dormitories and we were in a one
rooftop dormitories and we were in a one
rooftop dormitories and we were in a one of the ways this towns we heard about –
of the ways this towns we heard about –
of the ways this towns we heard about – a lost city out in the the Great Western
a lost city out in the the Great Western
a lost city out in the the Great Western sand sea and we spotted it on Google
sand sea and we spotted it on Google
sand sea and we spotted it on Google Earth and we navigate out here through
Earth and we navigate out here through
Earth and we navigate out here through the dunes and we flew over it it looked
the dunes and we flew over it it looked
the dunes and we flew over it it looked like like that they were another form of
like like that they were another form of
like like that they were another form of desert irrigation they’re called the
desert irrigation they’re called the
desert irrigation they’re called the full gara and these are underground
full gara and these are underground
full gara and these are underground aqueducts and what looks to me like the
aqueducts and what looks to me like the
aqueducts and what looks to me like the earth got attacked by a sewing machine
earth got attacked by a sewing machine
earth got attacked by a sewing machine or actually the those are the clean out
or actually the those are the clean out
or actually the those are the clean out holes of the full gara and we weren’t
holes of the full gara and we weren’t
holes of the full gara and we weren’t able to get a permit to fly in this part
able to get a permit to fly in this part
able to get a permit to fly in this part of algeria this big problem for me is
of algeria this big problem for me is
of algeria this big problem for me is getting permits to fly and in many parts
getting permits to fly and in many parts
getting permits to fly and in many parts of Africa are many parts of what it’s
of Africa are many parts of what it’s
of Africa are many parts of what it’s just not possible so you have to you
just not possible so you have to you
just not possible so you have to you have to behave a bit like a thief or a
have to behave a bit like a thief or a
have to behave a bit like a thief or a spy to get your picture anyway we were
spy to get your picture anyway we were
spy to get your picture anyway we were flying away sis and I look down I saw I
flying away sis and I look down I saw I
flying away sis and I look down I saw I saw big green cars with large numbers on
saw big green cars with large numbers on
saw big green cars with large numbers on which the police cars and they were
which the police cars and they were
which the police cars and they were following us but oh shoot what are we
following us but oh shoot what are we
following us but oh shoot what are we going to do I was flying with my friend
going to do I was flying with my friend
going to do I was flying with my friend Francois and so we both we both went up
Francois and so we both we both went up
Francois and so we both we both went up really high like about 3,000 feet and
really high like about 3,000 feet and
really high like about 3,000 feet and split different directions at sunset and
split different directions at sunset and
split different directions at sunset and then we spiral down to the ground
then we spiral down to the ground
then we spiral down to the ground and then became a log at treetop level
and then became a log at treetop level
and then became a log at treetop level and we flew eland right by our cars was
and we flew eland right by our cars was
and we flew eland right by our cars was time for a James Bond escape
time for a James Bond escape
time for a James Bond escape so we left the cops over here in the
so we left the cops over here in the
so we left the cops over here in the town we landed here by the by the cars
town we landed here by the by the cars
town we landed here by the by the cars at dusk threw all our stuff in there and
at dusk threw all our stuff in there and
at dusk threw all our stuff in there and they went taken off out in the desert
they went taken off out in the desert
they went taken off out in the desert with no but turned the headlights off
with no but turned the headlights off
with no but turned the headlights off and we couldn’t use the brace because
and we couldn’t use the brace because
and we couldn’t use the brace because the cosmic seed the brake lights and we
the cosmic seed the brake lights and we
the cosmic seed the brake lights and we got way out in the desert without ha
got way out in the desert without ha
got way out in the desert without ha again we were they got some of those
again we were they got some of those
again we were they got some of those stupid cops that we were really we’re
stupid cops that we were really we’re
stupid cops that we were really we’re really pretty sharp guys until he drove
really pretty sharp guys until he drove
really pretty sharp guys until he drove off a cliff and we went out we went out
off a cliff and we went out we went out
off a cliff and we went out we went out the cliff the car landed it snows and it
the cliff the car landed it snows and it
the cliff the car landed it snows and it kind of sat there in his nose for a
kind of sat there in his nose for a
kind of sat there in his nose for a while trying to sideways go over and out
while trying to sideways go over and out
while trying to sideways go over and out and then it went back down and while I
and then it went back down and while I
and then it went back down and while I was up when it snows that the seat came
was up when it snows that the seat came
was up when it snows that the seat came off the floor and all the luggage in the
off the floor and all the luggage in the
off the floor and all the luggage in the back came falling on top of us but it’s
back came falling on top of us but it’s
back came falling on top of us but it’s fortunately it’s settled back at its
fortunately it’s settled back at its
fortunately it’s settled back at its tail so the car landed back on the gas
tail so the car landed back on the gas
tail so the car landed back on the gas tank and we had to figure how to get
tank and we had to figure how to get
tank and we had to figure how to get there sooner you could know 9-1-1 you
there sooner you could know 9-1-1 you
there sooner you could know 9-1-1 you certainly not going to go call it call
certainly not going to go call it call
certainly not going to go call it call the cops and Africans are incredible
the cops and Africans are incredible
the cops and Africans are incredible improvisers these guys were terrific and
improvisers these guys were terrific and
improvisers these guys were terrific and the car was amazing it survived but so
the car was amazing it survived but so
the car was amazing it survived but so we had to figure how when you get out
we had to figure how when you get out
we had to figure how when you get out and out we all had our different schemes
and out we all had our different schemes
and out we all had our different schemes but the anyways is what they they did
but the anyways is what they they did
but the anyways is what they they did this is on a moonless night is there
this is on a moonless night is there
this is on a moonless night is there like 60 second exposures by starlight so
like 60 second exposures by starlight so
like 60 second exposures by starlight so we took everything out of the car to
we took everything out of the car to
we took everything out of the car to make it lighter and they took the spare
make it lighter and they took the spare
make it lighter and they took the spare tire and put her Neath the back tire and
tire and put her Neath the back tire and
tire and put her Neath the back tire and they up the sand ladders out dug a hole
they up the sand ladders out dug a hole
they up the sand ladders out dug a hole and read the radiator and they started
and read the radiator and they started
and read the radiator and they started to push I got off the sand and miracle
to push I got off the sand and miracle
to push I got off the sand and miracle of miracles it started
deserts are not just hot environments
deserts are not just hot environments they’re also the world’s highest
they’re also the world’s highest
they’re also the world’s highest environments and the coldest
environments and the coldest
environments and the coldest environments is in the Dry Valleys
environments is in the Dry Valleys
environments is in the Dry Valleys Antartica biggest ice-free Aryan article
Antartica biggest ice-free Aryan article
Antartica biggest ice-free Aryan article most people don’t realize the Arctic as
most people don’t realize the Arctic as
most people don’t realize the Arctic as a desert they just think it’s a you know
a desert they just think it’s a you know
a desert they just think it’s a you know a frozen wasteland but it’s so it’s a
a frozen wasteland but it’s so it’s a
a frozen wasteland but it’s so it’s a really beautiful desert environment this
really beautiful desert environment this
really beautiful desert environment this where glaciers come together as a doubt
where glaciers come together as a doubt
where glaciers come together as a doubt to the seat it’s all the debris that was
to the seat it’s all the debris that was
to the seat it’s all the debris that was carted by the glaciers and the edge of
carted by the glaciers and the edge of
carted by the glaciers and the edge of the Ross Sea with permafrost and these
the Ross Sea with permafrost and these
the Ross Sea with permafrost and these are the sand dunes in Antartica frozen
are the sand dunes in Antartica frozen
are the sand dunes in Antartica frozen dunes this is out in the salt flats of
dunes this is out in the salt flats of
dunes this is out in the salt flats of Bolivia this is at 12,000 feet it’s the
Bolivia this is at 12,000 feet it’s the
Bolivia this is at 12,000 feet it’s the world’s largest salt flat and it’s full
world’s largest salt flat and it’s full
world’s largest salt flat and it’s full of edible salt and to fly there it was
of edible salt and to fly there it was
of edible salt and to fly there it was quite challenging this is um 12,000 feet
quite challenging this is um 12,000 feet
quite challenging this is um 12,000 feet way ahead yet you’d use a bigger wing
way ahead yet you’d use a bigger wing
way ahead yet you’d use a bigger wing and the most powerful paraglider motor
and the most powerful paraglider motor
and the most powerful paraglider motor available but from the air can you take
available but from the air can you take
available but from the air can you take off it’s spectacular on the edge of the
off it’s spectacular on the edge of the
off it’s spectacular on the edge of the Salar the salt flats you get out you get
Salar the salt flats you get out you get
Salar the salt flats you get out you get floods in the springtime and this is our
floods in the springtime and this is our
floods in the springtime and this is our – expedition cards going across about
– expedition cards going across about
– expedition cards going across about six six inches of water across the salt
six six inches of water across the salt
six six inches of water across the salt flats on the edge River Cunha endangered
flats on the edge River Cunha endangered
flats on the edge River Cunha endangered species live on the edge of the Salar
species live on the edge of the Salar
species live on the edge of the Salar and this up at 14,000 feet this is
and this up at 14,000 feet this is
and this up at 14,000 feet this is really difficult flying I had to be
really difficult flying I had to be
really difficult flying I had to be flying hands-free at 14,000 feet about
flying hands-free at 14,000 feet about
flying hands-free at 14,000 feet about 30 feet above these birds this is the
30 feet above these birds this is the
30 feet above these birds this is the Himalaya in Ladakh it’s a part of India
Himalaya in Ladakh it’s a part of India
Himalaya in Ladakh it’s a part of India that pokes up into the Himalaya and well
that pokes up into the Himalaya and well
that pokes up into the Himalaya and well you have snow-capped peaks between the
you have snow-capped peaks between the
you have snow-capped peaks between the valleys the valleys themselves are hyper
valleys the valleys themselves are hyper
valleys the valleys themselves are hyper arid deserts hardly get any water green
arid deserts hardly get any water green
arid deserts hardly get any water green at all this is the headwaters of the
at all this is the headwaters of the
at all this is the headwaters of the Indus River it comes out of out of Tibet
Indus River it comes out of out of Tibet
Indus River it comes out of out of Tibet and through Ladakh and then down into
and through Ladakh and then down into
and through Ladakh and then down into Pakistan and you also find out there’s
Pakistan and you also find out there’s
Pakistan and you also find out there’s the lowest points in the world this is
the lowest points in the world this is
the lowest points in the world this is the Dead Sea 1,400 feet below sea level
the Dead Sea 1,400 feet below sea level
the Dead Sea 1,400 feet below sea level on the Jordanian side of the border you
on the Jordanian side of the border you
on the Jordanian side of the border you get really strong winds coming out of
get really strong winds coming out of
get really strong winds coming out of Israel they turn the salt water of the
Israel they turn the salt water of the
Israel they turn the salt water of the lake into a froth and they blow on the
lake into a froth and they blow on the
lake into a froth and they blow on the shore and it crystallizes so a nude
shore and it crystallizes so a nude
shore and it crystallizes so a nude beach and Israeli side that a lot of
beach and Israeli side that a lot of
beach and Israeli side that a lot of people believe that bathing in the
people believe that bathing in the
people believe that bathing in the waters that did sea is good for your
waters that did sea is good for your
waters that did sea is good for your skin I got arrested for taking this
skin I got arrested for taking this
skin I got arrested for taking this picture
picture
picture I get arrested a lot and this is the
I get arrested a lot and this is the
I get arrested a lot and this is the other there’s the second lowest place in
other there’s the second lowest place in
other there’s the second lowest place in the world this is like a Solly and
the world this is like a Solly and
the world this is like a Solly and Djibouti this is about a thousand feet
Djibouti this is about a thousand feet
Djibouti this is about a thousand feet below sea level and the second saltiest
below sea level and the second saltiest
below sea level and the second saltiest body of water in the well third body
body of water in the well third body
body of water in the well third body saltiest body water in the room and this
saltiest body water in the room and this
saltiest body water in the room and this is like a saul in ethiopia also below
is like a saul in ethiopia also below
is like a saul in ethiopia also below sea level and they have salt caravans
sea level and they have salt caravans
sea level and they have salt caravans camel caravans that come in to harvest
camel caravans that come in to harvest
camel caravans that come in to harvest of salt and take it out and i believe
of salt and take it out and i believe
of salt and take it out and i believe that’s our last picture thank you all
that’s our last picture thank you all
that’s our last picture thank you all for coming tonight
”
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