Death Valley

California - July 20-27, 2007

Death Valley is an extreme place... The lowest point in North America, the hottest place in North America and the driest place in the U.S. Of course I had to visit there in July, the hottest time of the year, not only to experience & document the incredible heat but also to film the Kiehl's Badwater Ultramarathon. This foot race is 135 miles from Badwater (-282 feet below sea level) up to the Mount Whitney Portal (Over 8300 feet). The level of athleticism is incredible, watching these people run 5 marathons for days on end across the desert, uphill most of the way. More details about the race can be found here.

121 degrees, that's 49 Celsius... It's like being in an oven.	The road leading to Furnace Creek where the hottest temperature in North America was ever measured. 134 Degrees!

"Devil's Golf Course" where salt formations create an alien landscape.	Attempting to walk across the Devil's Golf Course.

Badwater Basin. The lowest point in North America - 282 feet below sea level.	Extremely salty water evaporates and leaves behind salt crystals.

A typical Death Valley landscape.	The extreme heat and dryness makes it tough for anything to thrive here.

Afternoon light in Death Valley.	"Artist's Paillette" - Various mineral deposits combine in a wild array of colours.

The abandoned ghost town of Rhyolite which once was home to thousands of residents.	Rain clouds gathering...Yet only a few drops made it to the ground. The rest evaporated before reaching the Earth.

Death Valley rainbow.	The great salt flats at Badwater.

The salt is all that remains of the ancient sea that was once here.	Looking out over the vast salt flats.

Runners competing in the Kiehl's Badwater Ultramarathon. The toughest foot race in the world - 135 miles from Badwater to the Mount Whitney Portal.	A Badwater runner on one of the many uphill sections of the race.

The runners continue through the night, the fastest finishing in about 24 hours, the slowest in 60 hours.	The finish line - Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48 states. The runners continue up to the start of the trail at over 8300 feet.

Sand dunes near Stovepipe Wells.	Vast sand dunes near sunset.

Ubehebe volcanic crater.	The view from Zabriskie Point.

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