Badwater

01 Aug 2006

Gah! I need more time to write a proper story about this shot, but for now I'll just mention that it's 282 feet below sea level. No, seriously, BELOW sea level.

More later.

...

Update: Following yesterdays post from 5,475 feet above sea level, todays drops close to 6,000 feet down, to Badwater, Death Valley.

At 282 feet below (that's BELOW) sea level, it's the lowest point in north america. It should be flooded, you should be deeper than the average scuba diver, but instead you drive in, and drive out, and there's barely an inch or two of water there at any time. (Apparently the water source originates from melted ice somewhere in the surrounding mountain range I believe.)

Despite the name, the water isn't bad or poisonous as such, just brackish or very very salty.

I've been waiting to get back here for about 5 years, and it didn't disappoint.

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