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A Long Journey


A Long Journey
Photo Information
Copyright: Way Lim (waylim) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 296 W: 8 N: 489] (1765)
Genre: Landscapes
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-04-10
Categories: Desert
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2010-01-26 16:17
Viewed: 3738
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Nestled in a remote valley between the Cottonwood and Last Chance Ranges, the Racetrack is a place of stunning beauty and mystery. The Racetrack is a playa--a dry lakebed--best known for its strange moving rocks. Although no one has actually seen the rocks move, the long meandering tracks left behind in the mud surface of the playa attest to their activity.

The theory is erosional forces cause rocks from the surrounding mountains to tumble to the surface of the dry lake bed. Once on the floor of the playa the rocks move across the level surface leaving trails as records of their movements. Some of the moving rocks are large and have traveled as far as 1,500 feet. Throughout the years many theories have been suggested to explain the mystery of these rock movements. A research project has suggested that a rare combination of rain and wind conditions enable the rocks to move. A rain of about 1/2 inch, will wet the surface of the playa, providing a firm but extremely slippery surface. Strong winds of 50 mph or more, may skid the large boulders along the slick mud.

Unfortunately, some of the rocks are missing at the end of the track, due to some people removing them. Which is really a disgrace, and the rock is really meaningless once remove from its original locations. I wonder if that person will proudly tell someone that he got the rock from The Racetrack, in Death Valley. Also it is not recommended to step on the playa when it’s wet, foot print can last for years here, as you see when the rock travelled through the years, the track stay that way for us to see, so will the foot prints.
tuslaw, Adanac, JoseMiguel, diverjohn, jhm, fyapici, sranjan, strahos, horia, SunToucher, Mikolaj, jusninasirun has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2754 W: 282 N: 4931] (19883)
  • [2010-01-26 19:24]

Hello Way,
Interesting phenomenom and a great shot to go along with it!!
I remember watching a special on TV. about this place, and I think one of the theories had something to do with the magnetic pull of the moon.
Great low POV with eceptional detail and beautiful natural colors. Well done!!
Ron

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1273 W: 1 N: 6188] (21378)
  • [2010-01-26 20:02]

Hello Way,
When I saw this image I actual said to myself what the theory in your middle paragraph says. This is a fantastic image of a real interesting event. Thanks for sharing this great posting Way.
Rick

Hello Way,
Fascinating story about the moving rocks.
I never could have imagined those rocks moving and creating that path behind.
A great composition for this singular subject and rich texture caught on the dry soil.
Thanks a lot for share the photo and your interesting notes,
JM

hello Way,
very interesting story, good notes, your photo is very good and representative the phenomenon, very well composed with beautiful colors!
keep photographing! TFS
Nasos

Great photograph of weird phenomenon.
I've been to Death Valley and loved the scenery it offers.
Applying Ockham's razor technique, wind and rain are the most likely explanation of such movement.

  • Great 
  • jhm Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 893 W: 0 N: 507] (1853)
  • [2010-01-27 0:10]

Hello Way,

Thank you very much for your intersting note.
Exactly a modern carpet these dry earth.
Sharpness and clarity are perfect, pleasant for look at.

Best regards,
John

Hello Way

After reading your note, I remember this subject from tv. Unexplained movement is very interesting. Sometimes we hear from other places the vehicles goes up to hill without working motor and without a driver. For example in Erzurum province I lived an event like this with my car. I stopped my cars motor and it begun to move up to hill. It was so interesting.

And finally your photo looks very nice. Your composition is succesful. Even if it hasn't any interesting story, a well-considered photo. Bravo and TFS.

Hello Way,
Thanks for showing us this rare geological fact. I appreciate your educating notes too.
Regards-Subhash

Very nice and educational photo Way! thanks for the note too!
Great composition and colors!
Tfs
Ilias

Hi, Way
Very interesting story, with picture. Thanks for the information. Good photos too, nice composition, very well done.
TFS, Anders

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2158 W: 224 N: 4749] (16656)
  • [2010-01-30 0:15]

Hi Way

I've been meaning to comment on this for quite some time now...finally weekend's here :)
I've always wondered about these rocks and their trail as i've seen pictures from here before, so now, thanks to your notes, i understand how it all happens.
This is a superb shot (as it's the other one, too, actually) with a terrific composition and a great attention to details and depth.
The elements are simple but very effective and i really like the single rock and lots of texture in the foreground here. The trails then leads the eye wonderfully all the way to the mountains and the well exposed sky in the back.
Overall, a superb capture, my friend!

Bravo and TFS
Horia

Hi Way,
I've seen a whole documentary about these stones and was very impressed with why they moved about the dry lake. You captured the track of this rock in a most artistic way. Showing just one rock and the path and made over the many years. The texture of the dry lake bed and the warm color contrast beautifully with the soft blue sky.
TFS,
Niek

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2791 W: 0 N: 6696] (25839)
  • [2010-07-04 3:55]

Hello Way,
such an exciting phenomena you depicted. Excellent artistic composition with lively colours and of rich intensity.
The cracks of the mud is splendid to give an outstanding graphic.
Well presented in a stunning composition.

Regards,
Foozi

Hello Way! Good vertical format, good long perspective, perfect capture and exposure, nice weather, very fine warm colours. Perfect sharpness. Well done!

Hello Way.
This shot is amazing. The rock trail is well captured along this dry earth. Lovely perspective and details against a fine backdrop.
Thanks and kind regards.
Jusni

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