Dec 18, 2008: Road of Death

Since we were duped by the Disney IotD I figured I would post early for tomorrow and throw up a collection of real pictures.

I was recently sent these via e-mail so first had to check here to see if they were posted before and second to figure out where they were from. It seems they have not been posted before but another Cellar Dweller did put up an old link that allowed me to confirm back story on these.

Here is the old post that led me to the background.

Link

And now without further ado, here is the Bolivian Road of Death, North Yungas Road.

Awesome!

That's some scray shit there. I remember watching a show on discovery about that road. just plain freaky.

You know, some of those pictures look really squished in the horizontal direction. For example, with this picture, if you double the width and keep the height the same, the truck looks much more normal, but the hill doesn't look as steep.

It's still awesome. Just a little more realistic.

Anyone ever think of introducing these people to the concept of tunnels?

Applying the same math to this image gives us this new look.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coign Since we were duped by the Disney IotD

It's still scary, even with the correct aspect ratio.

I'd still need a change of shorts if I succussfully completed that journey.

No wonder shipping and handling is so freaking expensive!

Anamorphic lenses

Apparently the USPS central processing hub is on the top of that mountain.

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt You know, some of those pictures look really squished in the horizontal direction. For example, with this picture, if you double the width and keep the height the same, the truck looks much more normal, but the hill doesn't look as steep.

That road is a LOT like the tiny, 2-lane, landslide-prone road from Taipei to Hualien...


(you can see part of that road there, that liiiittle brown strip along the cliff.)

and also a lot like the road through Taroko Gorge. (number 4!)






eta: and yes, i've been down BOTH those roads. Well, not DOWN, but.. oh you know what i mean.

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt You know, some of those pictures look really squished in the horizontal direction. For example, with this picture, if you double the width and keep the height the same, the truck looks much more normal, but the hill doesn't look as steep. It's still awesome. Just a little more realistic.

If it were even one way, it wouldn't be so scary...but these people are using as a two lane road! EEEK

Beautiful pictures, Ibby!

And I think my favorite part about this road is this comment and following photo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coign Sorry

Death Road

If you saw the Discovery Channel show, the Bolivian government actually constructed another road that takes another, safer route but some of these trucks still won't take it due to getting better paychecks for braving these roads to get supplies to villagers down the mountain. I can't imagine mountain biking down that and I LOVE mountain biking. Scary!

I laughed at the narrow, twisty mountain road scenes in The Long, Long Trailer, but if I was there... on that road... eyeballs protruding... white knuckling the steering wheel... I don't think I could manage to breathe. Just one continuous inhalation until I popped. Skeery stuff!

Quote:

Originally Posted by shannabanana If you saw the Discovery Channel show, the Bolivian government actually constructed another road that takes another, safer route but some of these trucks still won't take it due to getting better paychecks for braving these roads to get supplies to villagers down the mountain. I can't imagine mountain biking down that and I LOVE mountain biking. Scary!

I havn't logged in in over a year, but I felt the need to inform the Cellar that at least there is someone to direct traffic. He was involved in a bus crash in which many people died, and has lost friends and family to crashes, so he stands at one of the corners all day and directs traffic. He also has testicles the size of small watermelons, apparently.

Check out these, the tunnel with the windows is my favorite:
Link

I like this picture (from the same site). It reminds me of Colorado.



Is it real? I don't know. Something doesn't look right.

Yeah. See, my family would be all up and interbred coz none of us would be willing to do that funky shit to get to the OTHER side of the mountain.

Squished pics or not...just kill me now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt You know, some of those pictures look really squished in the horizontal direction. For example, with this picture, if you double the width and keep the height the same, the truck looks much more normal, but the hill doesn't look as steep. It's still awesome. Just a little more realistic.

Whens the next mechanically deficient tour bus with the intoxicated driver leaving? I want to be on it!

Adrenaline rush!! <shouted like. 'surfs up'>

A debate was held at the town council as to weather it would be more cost effective to put a fence up on the mountain or an ambulance down in the valley.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPUCK Adrenaline rush!! <shouted like. 'surfs up'>

I would drive that road if there were one of those big ass caterpillars after me. Hell yeah...on Benedryl too. yeah, Benedryl. At high speed, too. With an angry serval in the car with me, though HE is probably allergic to those damn caterpillars too.