Google Maps’ Street View feature was once reserved for the simple purpose of helping people find their way through busy city streets, but it’s changed over the years. We’ve gotten views of national landmarks, parks, inside the White House and even coral reefs underwater.
And now there are vertical views of some of the world’s biggest rocks. The team partnered with expert rock climbers Alex Honnold and Lynn Hill to deliver vertical imagery of the entire height (3,000 solid feet) of Yosemite Park’s El Capitan (and no, it has nothing to do with Apple’s latest Mac OSX update).
The views really are breathtaking, and it’s a great way to check out the exhilaration known as rock climbing without having to do it yourself, which is especially great for someone like me who is deathly afraid of extreme heights.
The video above is cool and all, but you should give it a go on Google Maps for a truly neat experience. Nothing will ever come close to climbing up the real deal, of course, but this is as good as it gets otherwise.
[via Google]
Hmm this would be great on Google Cardboard
So when will climbers be able to use Maps navigate to the top of El Cap? Maybe suggest the fastest climbing route based on climber traffic?
Don’t think that’ll be possible. Even if it is it would be impractical.
Lol, I wasn’t even close to being serious.
Anyone want to take bets on how long it will be before they receive their cease and desist from Apple?
http://www.apple.com/osx/elcapitan-preview/?cid=wwa-us-kwg-mac-com