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Rock-Climbing China: A Stone Forest | Nat Geo Live


here’s a little video of cedar on the

here’s a little video of cedar on the summit he was he was pretty sure that he

summit he was he was pretty sure that he

summit he was he was pretty sure that he was like the man in China after he was

was like the man in China after he was

was like the man in China after he was like the first person to stand on this

like the first person to stand on this

like the first person to stand on this tower you know credible and he was like

tower you know credible and he was like

tower you know credible and he was like I am a big deal in China he was like

I am a big deal in China he was like

I am a big deal in China he was like really stoked on being a big deal in

really stoked on being a big deal in

really stoked on being a big deal in China and as it turns out he was

China and as it turns out he was

China and as it turns out he was actually kind of big in China he really

actually kind of big in China he really

actually kind of big in China he really was proportionately large fortunately

was proportionately large fortunately

was proportionately large fortunately Lars it was um

Lars it was um

Lars it was um I mean yeah I was just I mean look at

I mean yeah I was just I mean look at

I mean yeah I was just I mean look at that we got to be the first people to

that we got to be the first people to

that we got to be the first people to stand on that you know quite possibly

stand on that you know quite possibly

stand on that you know quite possibly the only people ever to stand on that

the only people ever to stand on that

the only people ever to stand on that because of the restrictions of National

because of the restrictions of National

because of the restrictions of National Park I mean to me that’s like everything

Park I mean to me that’s like everything

Park I mean to me that’s like everything you could hope for us a climber is to be

you could hope for us a climber is to be

you could hope for us a climber is to be the first person to stand on something

the first person to stand on something

the first person to stand on something that incredible in that iconic and just

that incredible in that iconic and just

that incredible in that iconic and just to like kind of talk about some of the

to like kind of talk about some of the

to like kind of talk about some of the climbing up there a little bit it was it

climbing up there a little bit it was it

climbing up there a little bit it was it was really really dangerous and loose

was really really dangerous and loose

was really really dangerous and loose there wasn’t a lot of protection for

there wasn’t a lot of protection for

there wasn’t a lot of protection for people who are familiar with climbing

people who are familiar with climbing

people who are familiar with climbing you know we were climbing traditionally

you know we were climbing traditionally

you know we were climbing traditionally placing cams in the rock and this is you

placing cams in the rock and this is you

placing cams in the rock and this is you know limestone is really terrible for

know limestone is really terrible for

know limestone is really terrible for that style of climbing because there’s

that style of climbing because there’s

that style of climbing because there’s not just doesn’t offer a lot of points

not just doesn’t offer a lot of points

not just doesn’t offer a lot of points for protection so it was pretty serious

for protection so it was pretty serious

for protection so it was pretty serious at one point I was like about to like

at one point I was like about to like

at one point I was like about to like fall on a ledge and I pulled off this

fall on a ledge and I pulled off this

fall on a ledge and I pulled off this giant block and I was like kind of did

giant block and I was like kind of did

giant block and I was like kind of did one of those were you like I mean you’re

one of those were you like I mean you’re

one of those were you like I mean you’re like no and then you’re like then you

like no and then you’re like then you

like no and then you’re like then you have this huge block you it’s a me they

have this huge block you it’s a me they

have this huge block you it’s a me they don’t want to drop it and then you’re

don’t want to drop it and then you’re

don’t want to drop it and then you’re like and then I was just did one of

like and then I was just did one of

like and then I was just did one of these I was little ha

these I was little ha

these I was little ha and then I was like went then I was like

and then I was like went then I was like

and then I was like went then I was like Betty are you mine and you know we

Betty are you mine and you know we

Betty are you mine and you know we summited who were super stoked we were

summited who were super stoked we were

summited who were super stoked we were relieved because obviously that’s like

relieved because obviously that’s like

relieved because obviously that’s like one of the most incredible places that

one of the most incredible places that

one of the most incredible places that you’re ever gonna see on the planet a

you’re ever gonna see on the planet a

you’re ever gonna see on the planet a karst geography of China is really

karst geography of China is really

karst geography of China is really something special and then it was time

something special and then it was time

something special and then it was time to move on because we had four areas

to move on because we had four areas

to move on because we had four areas that we wanted to visit and we arrived

that we wanted to visit and we arrived

that we wanted to visit and we arrived here and in Carson Lee this amazing

here and in Carson Lee this amazing

here and in Carson Lee this amazing something and either he’s all we got to

something and either he’s all we got to

something and either he’s all we got to get in the air I’m like you’re gonna put

get in the air I’m like you’re gonna put

get in the air I’m like you’re gonna put that drone back up in there dude

that drone back up in there dude

that drone back up in there dude all the perspectives and all this stuff

all the perspectives and all this stuff

all the perspectives and all this stuff and and I don’t know what did you think

and and I don’t know what did you think

and and I don’t know what did you think when you arrived there I mean for rock

when you arrived there I mean for rock

when you arrived there I mean for rock climbers but it must be like a paradise

climbers but it must be like a paradise

climbers but it must be like a paradise also for me visually I mean this is like

also for me visually I mean this is like

also for me visually I mean this is like knife blades out of the ground and and

knife blades out of the ground and and

knife blades out of the ground and and really edges absolutely amazing so

really edges absolutely amazing so

really edges absolutely amazing so incredible in an incredible area but we

incredible in an incredible area but we

incredible in an incredible area but we but I have to admit this really is an

but I have to admit this really is an

but I have to admit this really is an unreal place they call this the stone

unreal place they call this the stone

unreal place they call this the stone forest and you can totally see why and

forest and you can totally see why and

forest and you can totally see why and just to thank 200 300 million years ago

just to thank 200 300 million years ago

just to thank 200 300 million years ago was an ancient shallow seabed and that

was an ancient shallow seabed and that

was an ancient shallow seabed and that through erosion corrosion just the magic

through erosion corrosion just the magic

through erosion corrosion just the magic of time it became this surreal landscape

of time it became this surreal landscape

of time it became this surreal landscape and you know and this was like coral

and you know and this was like coral

and you know and this was like coral these were like coral beds and to think

these were like coral beds and to think

these were like coral beds and to think that you’re basically climbing on the

that you’re basically climbing on the

that you’re basically climbing on the the skeletons of like 200 million year

the skeletons of like 200 million year

the skeletons of like 200 million year old you know life forms is totally cool

old you know life forms is totally cool

old you know life forms is totally cool and surreal one of the one of the

and surreal one of the one of the

and surreal one of the one of the coolest things about being in the Stone

coolest things about being in the Stone

coolest things about being in the Stone Forest was we started interacting with

Forest was we started interacting with

Forest was we started interacting with locals a little bit more and wildlife as

locals a little bit more and wildlife as

locals a little bit more and wildlife as you can see that was a little scary

you can see that was a little scary

you can see that was a little scary sometimes um in the Stone Forest

sometimes um in the Stone Forest

sometimes um in the Stone Forest you know all the locals would come up

you know all the locals would come up

you know all the locals would come up like this guy he was really excited and

like this guy he was really excited and

like this guy he was really excited and he had some good stuff had some good

he had some good stuff had some good

he had some good stuff had some good stuff clearly and uh was was just like

stuff clearly and uh was was just like

stuff clearly and uh was was just like you know really fascinated with what we

you know really fascinated with what we

you know really fascinated with what we were doing you know and they are just

were doing you know and they are just

were doing you know and they are just going along doing their thing harvesting

going along doing their thing harvesting

going along doing their thing harvesting corn and yeah it was just really cool to

corn and yeah it was just really cool to

corn and yeah it was just really cool to see

the one of the other crazy things about

the one of the other crazy things about the stone forest was it was kind of the

the stone forest was it was kind of the

the stone forest was it was kind of the first time that we got to do like kind

first time that we got to do like kind

first time that we got to do like kind of bouldering climbing so the stone

of bouldering climbing so the stone

of bouldering climbing so the stone forest these formations really offered

forest these formations really offered

forest these formations really offered cool technical difficult moves

cool technical difficult moves

cool technical difficult moves oh yeah Maddie Maddie this is the

oh yeah Maddie Maddie this is the

oh yeah Maddie Maddie this is the hardest climb of the trip he like did a

hardest climb of the trip he like did a

hardest climb of the trip he like did a tunnel through this um this hole here

tunnel through this um this hole here

tunnel through this um this hole here and he actually stripped most of the

and he actually stripped most of the

and he actually stripped most of the flesh off his stomach I was trying to

flesh off his stomach I was trying to

flesh off his stomach I was trying to impress Carsten with my caving scrolling

impress Carsten with my caving scrolling

impress Carsten with my caving scrolling yeah he’s all I love the color but the

yeah he’s all I love the color but the

yeah he’s all I love the color but the next area that we traveled to was

next area that we traveled to was

next area that we traveled to was yangshuo moon Hill one of the first

yangshuo moon Hill one of the first

yangshuo moon Hill one of the first places that sport climbing was

places that sport climbing was

places that sport climbing was established in China and moon Hill is a

established in China and moon Hill is a

established in China and moon Hill is a kind of an interesting thing because

kind of an interesting thing because

kind of an interesting thing because there’s all these steps built to the

there’s all these steps built to the

there’s all these steps built to the base of noon moon hill and they were

base of noon moon hill and they were

base of noon moon hill and they were built for Nixon because he was the first

built for Nixon because he was the first

built for Nixon because he was the first American president I believe to visit

American president I believe to visit

American president I believe to visit China so they kind of wanted to build

China so they kind of wanted to build

China so they kind of wanted to build him something to show you know the

him something to show you know the

him something to show you know the natural wonders of China

natural wonders of China

natural wonders of China well another really crazy thing about

well another really crazy thing about

well another really crazy thing about moon Hill was it was the first time we

moon Hill was it was the first time we

moon Hill was it was the first time we ever saw locals climbing there and there

ever saw locals climbing there and there

ever saw locals climbing there and there are some incredibly talented Chinese

are some incredibly talented Chinese

are some incredibly talented Chinese climbers who are coming up in that scene

climbers who are coming up in that scene

climbers who are coming up in that scene it’s definitely the epicenter of sport

it’s definitely the epicenter of sport

it’s definitely the epicenter of sport climbing in China natural arches are

climbing in China natural arches are

climbing in China natural arches are just so wild because they’re basically

just so wild because they’re basically

just so wild because they’re basically collapsed caves is that correct Carsten

collapsed caves is that correct Carsten

collapsed caves is that correct Carsten actually yes yes it’s a huge cave which

actually yes yes it’s a huge cave which

actually yes yes it’s a huge cave which just eroded away you have maybe a tunnel

just eroded away you have maybe a tunnel

just eroded away you have maybe a tunnel and the tunnel gets smaller and smaller

and the tunnel gets smaller and smaller

and the tunnel gets smaller and smaller and eventually a bridge is just remained

and eventually a bridge is just remained

and eventually a bridge is just remained yeah it was definitely an interesting

yeah it was definitely an interesting

yeah it was definitely an interesting scene at the base

scene at the base

scene at the base got to get your a bomb ow yeah Obama

got to get your a bomb ow yeah Obama

got to get your a bomb ow yeah Obama shirts yeah that’s so quality uh uh this

shirts yeah that’s so quality uh uh this

shirts yeah that’s so quality uh uh this was Emily’s last day she decided to get

was Emily’s last day she decided to get

was Emily’s last day she decided to get her feet cleaned she had to leave the

her feet cleaned she had to leave the

her feet cleaned she had to leave the trip a little bit early and then cedar

trip a little bit early and then cedar

trip a little bit early and then cedar Carson myself and Keith journeyed on to

Carson myself and Keith journeyed on to

Carson myself and Keith journeyed on to get to this is the great arch in get to

get to this is the great arch in get to

get to this is the great arch in get to and it’s truly one of the most

and it’s truly one of the most

and it’s truly one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen

incredible things I’ve ever seen

incredible things I’ve ever seen this is one of the most incredible cave

this is one of the most incredible cave

this is one of the most incredible cave systems in the world as well as one of

systems in the world as well as one of

systems in the world as well as one of the most incredible natural arches in

the most incredible natural arches in

the most incredible natural arches in the world you can see that bottom arch

the world you can see that bottom arch

the world you can see that bottom arch down there it actually goes in it

down there it actually goes in it

down there it actually goes in it actually this is a very Miao chamber

actually this is a very Miao chamber

actually this is a very Miao chamber situated so it’s by wall you know the

situated so it’s by wall you know the

situated so it’s by wall you know the biggest chamber in the world so it’s a

biggest chamber in the world so it’s a

biggest chamber in the world so it’s a really special place is you can see this

really special place is you can see this

really special place is you can see this lower tunnel there’s actually a river

lower tunnel there’s actually a river

lower tunnel there’s actually a river that runs through this and then it drops

that runs through this and then it drops

that runs through this and then it drops down deep into one of these huge

down deep into one of these huge

down deep into one of these huge chambers and just goes who knows where

chambers and just goes who knows where

chambers and just goes who knows where and it’s really one of the most radical

and it’s really one of the most radical

and it’s really one of the most radical things I’ve ever seen and so we started

things I’ve ever seen and so we started

things I’ve ever seen and so we started just wander around and check it out one

just wander around and check it out one

just wander around and check it out one of the really unique things about this

of the really unique things about this

of the really unique things about this arch system is that every morning the

arch system is that every morning the

arch system is that every morning the Sun just shines perfectly through it to

Sun just shines perfectly through it to

Sun just shines perfectly through it to create cast this incredible beam of

create cast this incredible beam of

create cast this incredible beam of light and it’s it’s really otherworldly

light and it’s it’s really otherworldly

light and it’s it’s really otherworldly it’s super unique it’s super beautiful

it’s super unique it’s super beautiful

it’s super unique it’s super beautiful and the other thing about this is that

and the other thing about this is that

and the other thing about this is that is the scale this thing is massive huge

is the scale this thing is massive huge

is the scale this thing is massive huge the height of that light beam is

the height of that light beam is

the height of that light beam is probably at least 4 or 500 feet tall at

probably at least 4 or 500 feet tall at

probably at least 4 or 500 feet tall at this at a smallest point there as it

this at a smallest point there as it

this at a smallest point there as it shoots do that that archway so that to

shoots do that that archway so that to

shoots do that that archway so that to climb all the way from the bottom of the

climb all the way from the bottom of the

climb all the way from the bottom of the arch at the top is probably like seven

arch at the top is probably like seven

arch at the top is probably like seven eight hundred feet its massive it’s a

eight hundred feet its massive it’s a

eight hundred feet its massive it’s a huge monolithic arch probably one of the

huge monolithic arch probably one of the

huge monolithic arch probably one of the top largest arches in the world we

top largest arches in the world we

top largest arches in the world we started to just kind of cruise around

started to just kind of cruise around

started to just kind of cruise around and check it out and I noticed that

and check it out and I noticed that

and check it out and I noticed that there was a lot of a construction going

there was a lot of a construction going

there was a lot of a construction going on the Chinese are really they’re like

on the Chinese are really they’re like

on the Chinese are really they’re like oh we’ve got this great national

oh we’ve got this great national

oh we’ve got this great national treasure how can we make it more

treasure how can we make it more

treasure how can we make it more accessible and how can we get more

accessible and how can we get more

accessible and how can we get more tourism coming in here and stuff which

tourism coming in here and stuff which

tourism coming in here and stuff which is I understand is a wonderful thing but

is I understand is a wonderful thing but

is I understand is a wonderful thing but when you see something like this I find

when you see something like this I find

when you see something like this I find it a little discouraging I’m like really

it a little discouraging I’m like really

it a little discouraging I’m like really do you really need a glass elevator to

do you really need a glass elevator to

do you really need a glass elevator to take you from the bottom

take you from the bottom

take you from the bottom shop to the top and there’s been a big

shop to the top and there’s been a big

shop to the top and there’s been a big backlash here a lot of climbers have

backlash here a lot of climbers have

backlash here a lot of climbers have created this petition basically trying

created this petition basically trying

created this petition basically trying to stop this because they’re they’re

to stop this because they’re they’re

to stop this because they’re they’re actually going to put a hotel up

actually going to put a hotel up

actually going to put a hotel up basically inside of the upper arch but

basically inside of the upper arch but

basically inside of the upper arch but at the same time we were there to climb

at the same time we were there to climb

at the same time we were there to climb and up there and that main art

and up there and that main art

and up there and that main art it was just incredible you’re looking

it was just incredible you’re looking

it was just incredible you’re looking around at all these possibilities for

around at all these possibilities for

around at all these possibilities for climbing and we saw this one line that

climbing and we saw this one line that

climbing and we saw this one line that really stood out that went from bomb to

really stood out that went from bomb to

really stood out that went from bomb to top right out the belly of the arch all

top right out the belly of the arch all

top right out the belly of the arch all the way up to the very top of the cliff

the way up to the very top of the cliff

the way up to the very top of the cliff and followed this really radical line of

and followed this really radical line of

and followed this really radical line of stalactites and tufas you can see that’s

stalactites and tufas you can see that’s

stalactites and tufas you can see that’s actually like a melted to fowax

actually like a melted to fowax

actually like a melted to fowax formation I’m grabbing there you know so

formation I’m grabbing there you know so

formation I’m grabbing there you know so what a unique feature we kind of have

what a unique feature we kind of have

what a unique feature we kind of have like a lot of these photos that just

like a lot of these photos that just

like a lot of these photos that just portray just how overhanging and and

portray just how overhanging and and

portray just how overhanging and and bizarre the climbing is the climbing was

bizarre the climbing is the climbing was

bizarre the climbing is the climbing was super three-dimensional yeah the most

super three-dimensional yeah the most

super three-dimensional yeah the most three-dimensional climbing I’ve ever

three-dimensional climbing I’ve ever

three-dimensional climbing I’ve ever done like you could see here and I don’t

done like you could see here and I don’t

done like you could see here and I don’t even know how to describe it like Carson

even know how to describe it like Carson

even know how to describe it like Carson is almost parallel with me looking in

is almost parallel with me looking in

is almost parallel with me looking in you know like his ropes go up here and

you know like his ropes go up here and

you know like his ropes go up here and he’s like looking straight at me through

he’s like looking straight at me through

he’s like looking straight at me through these caves like it’s almost like you’re

these caves like it’s almost like you’re

these caves like it’s almost like you’re like swinging swimming you know you’re

like swinging swimming you know you’re

like swinging swimming you know you’re like going from one CELAC tight to the

like going from one CELAC tight to the

like going from one CELAC tight to the next like you’re not necessarily

next like you’re not necessarily

next like you’re not necessarily climbing like you would normally climb

climbing like you would normally climb

climbing like you would normally climb with your feet below you like your feet

with your feet below you like your feet

with your feet below you like your feet are below you except you’re like turning

are below you except you’re like turning

are below you except you’re like turning around and just bear hugging a

around and just bear hugging a

around and just bear hugging a stalactite and like when I say do your

stalactite and like when I say do your

stalactite and like when I say do your hedges at one point out yeah kind of

hedges at one point out yeah kind of

hedges at one point out yeah kind of like I was just like hey just kind of

like I was just like hey just kind of

like I was just like hey just kind of like did like one of these that one yeah

like did like one of these that one yeah

like did like one of these that one yeah all right I got it and like when I say

all right I got it and like when I say

all right I got it and like when I say bear hugging I mean like fully wrapping

bear hugging I mean like fully wrapping

bear hugging I mean like fully wrapping your legs like around and hugging these

your legs like around and hugging these

your legs like around and hugging these tufas for dear life because you know

tufas for dear life because you know

tufas for dear life because you know your forearms are starting to get tired

your forearms are starting to get tired

your forearms are starting to get tired but you could you know literally wrap

but you could you know literally wrap

but you could you know literally wrap your legs all the way around it and lock

your legs all the way around it and lock

your legs all the way around it and lock your legs and you know rest your upper

your legs and you know rest your upper

your legs and you know rest your upper body all right so we are headed up to

body all right so we are headed up to

body all right so we are headed up to the high point of this amazing route and

the high point of this amazing route and

the high point of this amazing route and as you can see it is insanely steep

as you can see it is insanely steep

as you can see it is insanely steep we’re going up to fix lines right now to

we’re going up to fix lines right now to

we’re going up to fix lines right now to check out the last pitch and I mean it

check out the last pitch and I mean it

check out the last pitch and I mean it is it’s almost nauseatingly least it’s

is it’s almost nauseatingly least it’s

is it’s almost nauseatingly least it’s like I mean there’s the Rope going up

like I mean there’s the Rope going up

like I mean there’s the Rope going up there’s Maddy hanging tough in the poor

there’s Maddy hanging tough in the poor

there’s Maddy hanging tough in the poor ledge there’s the ground

ledge there’s the ground

ledge there’s the ground there’s my feet oh yeah

there’s my feet oh yeah

there’s my feet oh yeah extended selfie there oh yeah keeping

extended selfie there oh yeah keeping

extended selfie there oh yeah keeping pledge really good about the extended

pledge really good about the extended

pledge really good about the extended selfie cedar thank you in our form

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