Google Maps has recently unveiled Street View images for Mt. Everest and other notable mountains. This takes armchair explorers like us to great heights even without the extreme cold, avalanche and what not.
Most of us have a bucket list of the places we want to visit in our lifetime and usually, the list is pretty long. Google Maps has a bucket list too, and it’s checking off a couple of its favorites and share them with you. If tall mountains are your thing, you’re in luck.
Now you can explore some
of the most famous mountains on Earth, including Aconcagua
(South America), Kilimanjaro (Africa), Mount Elbrus (Europe) and Everest Base
Camp (Asia) on Google Maps. These mountains belong to the group of peaks
known as the Seven Summits—the highest mountain on each of the seven
continents. While there’s nothing quite like
standing on the mountain, with Google Maps you can instantly transport yourself
to the top of these peaks and enjoy the sights without all of the avalanches,
rock slides, crevasses, and dangers from altitude and weather that mountaineers
face.
At 19,341 ft, Uhuru is the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro
Next, travel to the
tallest mountain in Europe, Russia’s Mount Elbrus, and see huts made from
Soviet-era fuel barrels. Climbers have to take refuge in the huts built on the
mountain when the weather turns wretched.
Get imagery of Mt. Elbrus and all of the other mountains, on Google Maps
on your iPhone and Android device
Explore Argentina’s
mighty Aconcagua, the highest peak in both the Western and Southern
Hemispheres. See how a base camp is set up amongst the exposed rock in Plaza
Argentina and how expeditions eat, camp and prepare for their ascent.
A permanent park ranger camp, as well as a helipad and medical
center are available during climbing seasons at Plaza Argentina
Finally, make your way
to Everest Base Camp, where expeditions stage their attempts to reach the top
of the world. Along the ascent, steal glimpses of the snow-capped Himalayan
mountain peaks and the awesome Khumbu glacier.
The route to Everest Base Camp is one of the most
popular trekking routes in the Himalayas and is visited by thousands of
trekkers each year.
This imagery was
collected with a simple lightweight tripod and digital camera with a fisheye
lens—equipment typically used for Google Maps’ Business Photos program.
Whether you’re scoping
out the mountain for your next big adventure or exploring it from the comfort
and warmth of your home, you’ll surely enjoy these views from the top of the
world. And if you want to see more, check out more on the Street View Gallery.
