Best view in the world?

[KMJ]

I recently walked the Huayhuash circuit in Peru. There's a 5000m pass on the circuit from which you can see the whole cordillera and at the top, while eating a chocolate bar, my american companion said to me 'is this the greatest view you've ever seen?' and I thought for a while and said 'no. I think the view from Kala Pattar is better.'

This is obviously a personal opinion, but I would be interested to know what other people think is the best view they've ever seen.

[thesilvertops]

The view of the Himalaya from Laurebina Yak is pretty good. On a clear day you can see from Dhaulagiri Himal in the west, past Annapurna Himal, Manaslu Himal, Ganesh Himal, and the foothills of Tibet through to Langtang Himal in the east. Wow!

[perfil]

Views from Gokyo valley towards Khumbu - http://www.flickr.com/photos/perfilov/234084609/in/set-72157594270070968/

Sunset on Lhotse/Nuptse wall from Khumbu moraine off Lobuche - http://www.flickr.com/photos/perfilov/234051691/in/set-72157594270070968/

Any view can be spectacular if the viewer is happy. Here is some more from other parts of the world:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/perfilov/308080796/in/set-72157594395059012/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/perfilov/448814426/in/set-72157600072011470/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/perfilov/267852370/in/set-72157594325081772/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/perfilov/261714299/in/set-72157594314414140/

[julia]

Some wonderful photos in there Perfil. I definitely need a dose of mountains at the moment. I can't remember when I was last in the mountain air and your photos make the longing even more intense. :)

[Petrus]

Grand Canyon at sunset is nice also.

Many deserts also, at sunset.

A mountain is, of course, always a bonus...

[odd man out]

Back in 1994, we were on a short day hike in Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii. From the trailhead at 2436 m/7990 ft the Halemau'u trail follows the outside of the volcano for about a 1 km/0.6 mi before it reaches the 310 m/1000 ft sheer drop into the crater rim at the Ko'olau gap. It was early afternoon and the warm tropical air from the ocean below was rising up the mountain and forming big fluffy white clouds which were pouring through the gap into the lunar-like landscape of the crater right below your feet. I then heard an odd noise. I looked down and saw I was surrounded by a flock of Nene (Hawaiian Goose). This is the state bird of Hawaii and only found in remote areas of the highest volcanoes in the state. I did a quick calculation and determined that I was standing a few feet from about 5% of all the wild Nene in the world.


http://www.nps.gov/PWR/customcf/apps/maps/showmap.cfm?alphacode=hale&parkname=Haleakala%20National%20Park

http://maps.google.com/maps/mm?ie=UTF8&hl=en&ll=20.75491,-156.215758&spn=0.02773,0.048537&t=p&z=15

[MAKO BEAST]

Mountains !!!

East face Monta Rosa
Matterhorn, the "Toblerone" face :)
West face Nuptse
South face Annapurna
South face Lhotse

Find the mountains in the Karakoram (eg Trango Towers) very spectacular in combination with these huge glaciers...Baltoro, Biafo, Hispar... Unfortunately not seen "live" yet. Perhaps in a few years

[mellinger]

Funny you should mention the Karakorum, as I was just going to post some. Went for the K2 Base Camp/Gondogoro La trek three summers ago....was by far the best mountain scenery I've seen in this world....it's no wonder the locals call it "The Throne Room of the Mountain Gods".

http://www.flickr.com/photos/theworldismycanvas/3851978521/in/set-72157621813153507
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theworldismycanvas/3855088566/in/set-72157621813153507
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theworldismycanvas/3855087462/in/set-72157621813153507

For me, Nepal comes in at a very very close second for mountain scenery and then the Andes a very close third behind them. Heck, I just love being out in the mountains!

http://www.flickr.com/theworldismycanvas

[MAKO BEAST]

Wow, strong scenery ! No doubt about that.

Hope to go to the Karakorum in a few years ; to combine the snowlake trek with K2 through a Pakistani agency (like Vertical Explorers)
But some reflections hold me back :
1) Political situation.
2) You have to do it in an group with an experienced agency... You know : schedule to follow, same people,...and I like to be and feel freeeeeeeee !

[mellinger]

Mako,

I wouldn't let the political situation hold you back. In the area where the treks take place, I didn't feel any danger to myself aside from the dangers of the trek (rock falls, crevasses, etc.).

The area of Gilgit/Baltistan hasn't really been affected by the rest of the political turmoil of the rest of the country.

Also, if you don't want to fly through Islamabad, you can always enter through China instead and bypass that whole area. Although, the drive up from Islamabad to Skardu on the KKH is an incredible experience in and of itself.

As for your second point though, can't argue with you there. Although, again, it wasn't too bad, since I was only with a group of 4. Easy enough to pull yourself away from the group and feel like you are free.