Challengers free-climb vertical sea stacks and walk tightropes high above the ground.
Free climbing, tightrope walking at great heights, and cliff diving—all sound unbelievable. Yet some climbers have combined these feats, leaving onlookers astounded. According to a December 19 report by the UK's Daily Mail, hundreds of climbers come to Australia’s Totem Poles each year to push their limits. They first free-climb the rocks, then walk a tightrope 60 meters above the ground at the summit, and finally leap into the ocean.
The Totem Poles are naturally formed sea stacks with steep, vertical rock faces, typically found in the sea or near coastlines. Australia’s Totem Poles are especially popular among climbers due to their prime location and climbable rock. Originally, there was only one known route to the top, called the "Ewbank Route," named after the climber who discovered it in 1968. In 1995, another route, the "Freedom Route," was found on the eastern side, named for the "free climbing" style used to ascend the pillars.
These jaw-dropping photos were taken by 47-year-old Australian photographer Simon Carter, who said: “I first saw the Totem Poles in 1995, and now I have these photos. Initially, I wanted to capture how these climbers conquered such unique formations. Now, I see it’s not just skill and determination that drive them, but a deep passion and total immersion in what they love—something truly admirable. In our modern, human-centered world, we’re often disconnected from nature. This adventure not only benefits body and mind but also serves as a vital way to reconnect with ourselves.”