Adventure! Fedora Lounge Folks in Action!

[Renault]

MJ, congrats on your retirement!!

Well done!

R

 

[Mojave Jack]

Thanks! I was a Reservist the last 26 years, but I still figure 30 years is enough. Now on to the next adventure!

 

[Oldsarge]

That was my feeling. The Army told a bunch of us old zebras that twenty-nine had been a good number but it was time for us to let some younger chaps fill our spots. The rest of the cohort panicked and tried everything they could think of to stay in. I shrugged, said "Thanx for the fun", turned the life-page and motored on.

 

[MattieA65]

Hunting Trip to Namibia, August 2014

Hunting trip to Namibia, maybe once in a lifetime, hopefully not. The rifle is a Mannlicher Schoenauer GK in 8x68S.

 

[Renault]

Waidsmannheil, Mattie!!!!!!

And a classic rifle!!!!

Well done!

 

[DesertDan]

Great pics Mattie and a great rifle as well!

I also have a Mannlicher Schoenauer (.243) that I inheirited from my father. Artwork in walnut and blued steel.

 

[Oldsarge]

Mattie, I never knew anyone who went to Africa who didn't scheme and connive their way back again. The place is addictive!

 

[Blackthorn]

My wife and I visited Machu Piccu two years ago. As we wandered Macchu Piccu, we heard of something called the Inka Bridge, and that it was right out of an Indiana Jones movie. Needless to say, we considered that a must-see. We got directions to where the trail began, not knowing what we were in for. It began here, heading up into the jungle:

It didn't take long to break out onto a trail that ran along the side of a mountain. It's impossible to do justice to the elevations here, but I'd say say it's easily more than a thousand feet from the river below to the peaks above us:

We followed the trail for just about an hour. It was beautiful all the way:

 

[Blackthorn]

Finally we were there. I had expected to walk out onto it and get a picture, but they had it fenced off and I thought better about my plan when I saw the bridge in person:

We had reached the end of the trail and the only way out was the way we had come in. So we got the pleasure of seeing all that wonderful country again. I've never been on a hike that had such enormous elevations involved. It was a thing of beauty.

 

[Blackthorn]

Scroll up to post #468 to see the whole story.

 

[Mr. Godfrey]

That look pretty awesome Blackthorn, what an adventure. I crossed a really rickety bridge in Sulawesi once, no photos though only my guide and myself and thinking back I would not cross the bridge again.

 

[Blackthorn]

Thank you, Mr Godfrey. Here's another pic from the same day:

 

[HeyMoe]

Finally we were there. I had expected to walk out onto it and get a picture, but they had it fenced off and I thought better about my plan when I saw the bridge in person:

We had reached the end of the trail and the only way out was the way we had come in. So we got the pleasure of seeing all that wonderful country again. I've never been on a hike that had such enormous elevations involved. It was a thing of beauty.

I wonder if the bridge was part of a defensive set up?

Looks like there are some steps of some sort built into the far wall.

 

[Blackthorn]

I think you're right about those steps, Moe, I hadn't noticed them before. I don't think this was a defensive set up, I think it was the only route through those very steep mountains, and they had no choice but to build a bridge somewhere. This was probably the best place for one.

 

[Mike K.]

Hey everyone! Thought I would check in seeing that I'm long overdue for a stop at The Fedora Lounge. Sorry for my leave of absence but I was first up to my @%#! in alligators, then sort of hanging out elsewhere.

That's me, not so vintage attire, exploring and mapping the remote western Everglades.

Following that, it was into the canopy of a giant, centuries old tree to survey wildlife as part of an official Flag Expedition of The Explorers Club.

I'll try to be more diligent about checking in and sharing my adventures.

 

[Blackthorn]

That looks like a great adventure, Mike!

 

[HeyMoe]

I think you're right about those steps, Moe, I hadn't noticed them before. I don't think this was a defensive set up, I think it was the only route through those very steep mountains, and they had no choice but to build a bridge somewhere. This was probably the best place for one.

What I find interesting is if you look at the next to last photo it appears that the walkway under the bridge was not completed - it looks much like a window frame with the bridge being placed over it.

 

[HeyMoe]

Great photos Mike!!

 

[HeyMoe]

Blackthorn

Did some research and found this:

"The Inca Bridge is actually part of the stone path that heads west from Machu Picchu. This spot was considered to have been of vital strategic importance for the defense of the citadel. Here the Incas left a twenty foot gap in the carved cliff edge. The space, gaping out over a 1,900 feet drop, was bridged by a pair of tree trunks. In times of danger, the Incas had only to withdraw the trunks to make this part of the citadel unassailable. "

As I figured it appears to be a defensive set up and with the missile weapons they had ( bow and arrow, bolo, slings, spears etc) they could have held off invaders at that natural choke point that allows for observation of a long portion of the trail system.

 

[Blackthorn]

Blackthorn

Did some research and found this:

"The Inca Bridge is actually part of the stone path that heads west from Machu Picchu. This spot was considered to have been of vital strategic importance for the defense of the citadel. Here the Incas left a twenty foot gap in the carved cliff edge. The space, gaping out over a 1,900 feet drop, was bridged by a pair of tree trunks. In times of danger, the Incas had only to withdraw the trunks to make this part of the citadel unassailable. "

As I figured it appears to be a defensive set up and with the missile weapons they had ( bow and arrow, bolo, slings, spears etc) they could have held off invaders at that natural choke point that allows for observation of a long portion of the trail system.

Well done, HM! I had no idea. I'm glad to know how far that drop is, too. It was one of the coolest places I've ever been.