Latest news with #ElCapitan
Miami Herald
02-07-2025
- Miami Herald
Where to Rock Climb: The Top Spots Worldwide
Geyikbayiri and the Antalya region are important climbing areas and, with some 1,500 routes, have more than any other part of Turkey. But there are more than 1.25 million climbing routes around the world - even in the Arctic and the Antarctic, though two-thirds are in Europe. Check out these top climbing spots around the world. As a global hub for climbers, Yosemite (below) has to be on the list. It is renowned for towering granite formations such as El Capitan and Half Dome. It caters to all experience levels, offering everything from accessible beginner climbs to demanding multiday routes. It has a rich climbing history and gained additional fame with the documentary movies Free Solo and The Dawn Wall. It can draw heavy crowds of climbers during busy seasons, but that doesn't detract from the beauty. Climbers head to Las Vegas for a different thrill to gamblers-Red Rock Canyon (below), located about 25 miles from the Strip. Its striking Aztec sandstone offers over 2,000 climbing routes, ranging from beginner-friendly 45-foot sport climbs to towering 2,200-foot traditional routes for seasoned adventurers. The area's warm, dry climate provides an extended climbing season, though, like Yosemite, it often draws large crowds during peak times. For climbers, Kalymnos (below) is undoubtedly the most famous of the Greek islands. High quality limestone cliffs at various angles tower close to the blue Aegean, which makes for a breathtaking backdrop for climbing. With well over 4,000 routes, Kalymnos has a wide range of grades, including plenty of opportunities for lower and intermediate-level climbers as well as steep and overhanging routes for experts able to manage the most limited holds. Another possibility here is deep-water soloing-climbing without safety gear but with the sea below in case of falls. Spain is brimming with opportunities for climbing and some of the best are in the semi-autonomous region of Catalonia in the northeast. Siurana and Margalef are at the top of the list for many climbers. Although they lie quite close together in a stunning location, the rocks are quite different. Siurana's limestone often requires sustained technical climbing and fewer prospects for beginners. Margalef's conglomerate offers some easier routes though also plenty of super-hard ones. About 40 miles southeast of Paris is the world-renowned bouldering destination of Fontainebleau-also known for its chateau. Sandstone rocks offer some 30,000 boulder problems of differing levels and make it the most developed such location globally. The climbing here is not on ropes so it's recommended to use crash pads to reduce the risk of injury, even if they may not be required for all climbs. The rocks are at different spots in the forest, so an app or guide is helpful for finding your way around. Railay Beach and Tonsai in southern Thailand have been drawing climbers from around the world for years. The limestone has plenty of pockets and features that make for exciting routes across a range of difficulties, including for beginners. It is all set amid verdant tropical jungle that extends down to white beaches and the blue sea. The Thai food is an added attraction. Krabi is far from being the only great climbing place in Thailand. Crazy Hose Buttress near the northern city of Chiang Mai is well worth a visit with excellent routes and benefits from being much less crowded. Among the many climbing options in France is Céüse, which has been described by some as "the best crag in the world." It is known for routes that are long, hard and steep, and its limestone rock is of very high quality. It's also on the top of a 6,500-foot mountain with incredible views over southern France. It's mostly a place for climbing in summer and the altitude means it can be chilly even then. Climbers also need to allow up to an hour for walking to the crag. Rock climbing's popularity has soared in China and possibly the biggest outdoor center is Yangshuo (below) near Guilin in southern China's Guangxi Province. It has more than 1,000 sport climbing routes on its limestone karst formations, including some beginner routes. Its hills jut like rows of green teeth among the rice fields. Climbing in Yangshuo is credited in part to a (non-climbing) visit by former U.S. President Richard Nixon to admire the spectacular landscape-particularly Moon Hill, with its natural arch. The globally renowned bouldering spot of Rocklands (below) in South Africa is celebrated for its excellent sandstone boulders and breathtaking landscapes. Situated in the Cederberg Wilderness Area, it lies roughly two-and-a-half hours by car from Cape Town. The beautiful orange and gray sandstone with featured and varied holds offers some 4,000 boulder problems as well as some sport and trad climbing routes. Be prepared for coarse rock that can be tough on the hands. The primary rock climbing area in Argentina's Patagonia region is El Chaltén, which is known for its towering spires of granite. It is a hub for big mountain multipitch climbing routes that involves climbing several routes in succession to allow the scaling of big walls. Sometimes, that can take days. However, it also has some routes for sport climbers of lower levels or is useful practice for climbers preparing to take on the bigger challenges. Summer is the best time for climbing here. The Grampians National Park (above) in Victoria, Australia, is a globally recognized climbing hotspot with an immense variety of challenges. Famed for its impressive sandstone features and wide variety of routes, it offers something for everyone from novice climbers to seasoned experts. There are both short sport climbs and challenging multipitch routes. The park is also a top destination for bouldering, featuring a vast range of problems from easy to extraordinarily difficult. Related Articles Yosemite National Park's 'Hidden Gem' Only 1 Percent of Visitors Ever SeeYosemite Climbers Make History With Free Climb Summit of El CapitanThe Dawn Wall: The Inside Story 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
02-07-2025
- Newsweek
Where to Rock Climb: The Top Spots Worldwide
Geyikbayiri and the Antalya region are important climbing areas and, with some 1,500 routes, have more than any other part of Turkey. But there are more than 1.25 million climbing routes around the world — even in the Arctic and the Antarctic, though two-thirds are in Europe. Check out these top climbing spots around the world. Yosemite National Park — California, U.S. As a global hub for climbers, Yosemite (below) has to be on the list. It is renowned for towering granite formations such as El Capitan and Half Dome. It caters to all experience levels, offering everything from accessible beginner climbs to demanding multiday routes. It has a rich climbing history and gained additional fame with the documentary movies Free Solo and The Dawn Wall. It can draw heavy crowds of climbers during busy seasons, but that doesn't detract from the beauty. View of El Capitan as speed climbers Hans Florine, of Lafayette, Calif., and Yuji Hirayama, of Japan attempt a new record of climbing the Nose route of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park on June... View of El Capitan as speed climbers Hans Florine, of Lafayette, Calif., and Yuji Hirayama, of Japan attempt a new record of climbing the Nose route of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park on June 29, 2008. Their time was 2 hours, 47 minutes, just shy of the record of 2 hours and 45 minutes. More Michael Maloney/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Red Rock Canyon — Nevada, U.S. Climbers head to Las Vegas for a different thrill to gamblers—Red Rock Canyon (below), located about 25 miles from the Strip. Its striking Aztec sandstone offers over 2,000 climbing routes, ranging from beginner-friendly 45-foot sport climbs to towering 2,200-foot traditional routes for seasoned adventurers. The area's warm, dry climate provides an extended climbing season, though, like Yosemite, it often draws large crowds during peak times. Rock climber on Aztec Sandstone, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada. Rock climber on Aztec Sandstone, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada. Marli Miller/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Kalymnos — Greece For climbers, Kalymnos (below) is undoubtedly the most famous of the Greek islands. High quality limestone cliffs at various angles tower close to the blue Aegean, which makes for a breathtaking backdrop for climbing. With well over 4,000 routes, Kalymnos has a wide range of grades, including plenty of opportunities for lower and intermediate-level climbers as well as steep and overhanging routes for experts able to manage the most limited holds. Another possibility here is deep-water soloing—climbing without safety gear but with the sea below in case of falls. Climbers take part in the 2019 annual Climbing Festival in the island of Kalymnos on October 4, 2019. - The festival has attracted some 400 sports climbers from across the globe. Climbers take part in the 2019 annual Climbing Festival in the island of Kalymnos on October 4, 2019. - The festival has attracted some 400 sports climbers from across the globe. ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Catalonia — Spain Spain is brimming with opportunities for climbing and some of the best are in the semi-autonomous region of Catalonia in the northeast. Siurana and Margalef are at the top of the list for many climbers. Although they lie quite close together in a stunning location, the rocks are quite different. Siurana's limestone often requires sustained technical climbing and fewer prospects for beginners. Margalef's conglomerate offers some easier routes though also plenty of super-hard ones. Fontainebleau — France About 40 miles southeast of Paris is the world-renowned bouldering destination of Fontainebleau—also known for its chateau. Sandstone rocks offer some 30,000 boulder problems of differing levels and make it the most developed such location globally. The climbing here is not on ropes so it's recommended to use crash pads to reduce the risk of injury, even if they may not be required for all climbs. The rocks are at different spots in the forest, so an app or guide is helpful for finding your way around. Krabi — Thailand Railay Beach and Tonsai in southern Thailand have been drawing climbers from around the world for years. The limestone has plenty of pockets and features that make for exciting routes across a range of difficulties, including for beginners. It is all set amid verdant tropical jungle that extends down to white beaches and the blue sea. The Thai food is an added attraction. Krabi is far from being the only great climbing place in Thailand. Crazy Hose Buttress near the northern city of Chiang Mai is well worth a visit with excellent routes and benefits from being much less crowded. Céüse — France Among the many climbing options in France is Céüse, which has been described by some as "the best crag in the world." It is known for routes that are long, hard and steep, and its limestone rock is of very high quality. It's also on the top of a 6,500-foot mountain with incredible views over southern France. It's mostly a place for climbing in summer and the altitude means it can be chilly even then. Climbers also need to allow up to an hour for walking to the crag. Yangshuo — China Rock climbing's popularity has soared in China and possibly the biggest outdoor center is Yangshuo (below) near Guilin in southern China's Guangxi Province. It has more than 1,000 sport climbing routes on its limestone karst formations, including some beginner routes. Its hills jut like rows of green teeth among the rice fields. Climbing in Yangshuo is credited in part to a (non-climbing) visit by former U.S. President Richard Nixon to admire the spectacular landscape—particularly Moon Hill, with its natural arch. Walking hikers in the Peak forest karst 004. Walking hikers in the Peak forest karst 004. iStock/Getty Rocklands — South Africa The globally renowned bouldering spot of Rocklands (below) in South Africa is celebrated for its excellent sandstone boulders and breathtaking landscapes. Situated in the Cederberg Wilderness Area, it lies roughly two-and-a-half hours by car from Cape Town. The beautiful orange and gray sandstone with featured and varied holds offers some 4,000 boulder problems as well as some sport and trad climbing routes. Be prepared for coarse rock that can be tough on the hands. Hikers exploring Cederberg Mountains trail on sunny day. Hikers exploring Cederberg Mountains trail on sunny day. Westend61/Karsten Koch/Getty Patagonia — Argentina The primary rock climbing area in Argentina's Patagonia region is El Chaltén, which is known for its towering spires of granite. It is a hub for big mountain multipitch climbing routes that involves climbing several routes in succession to allow the scaling of big walls. Sometimes, that can take days. However, it also has some routes for sport climbers of lower levels or is useful practice for climbers preparing to take on the bigger challenges. Summer is the best time for climbing here. Athletic male climbs outside on a boulder with men spotting. Athletic male climbs outside on a boulder with men spotting. Cavan Images RF/Getty The Grampians — Australia The Grampians National Park (above) in Victoria, Australia, is a globally recognized climbing hotspot with an immense variety of challenges. Famed for its impressive sandstone features and wide variety of routes, it offers something for everyone from novice climbers to seasoned experts. There are both short sport climbs and challenging multipitch routes. The park is also a top destination for bouldering, featuring a vast range of problems from easy to extraordinarily difficult.
Japan Forward
25-06-2025
- Science
- Japan Forward
RIKEN Activates Japan's First Quantum–Supercomputer Integration
A newly installed IBM quantum computer officially began full-scale operations on June 24 at the RIKEN Center for Computational Science in Kobe. In a groundbreaking initiative, it will operate in tandem with Japan's flagship supercomputer, Fugaku, with the goal of dramatically enhancing computational power and processing efficiency. This integration of quantum and classical computing is expected to accelerate innovation across a broad spectrum of fields, from drug discovery to cutting-edge materials research. Quantum computers harness the unique properties of subatomic particles like photons and electrons to perform complex calculations. Celebrated for their extraordinary potential, quantum computers are often said to solve problems in one minute that would take a supercomputer 100 years. They are especially effective in quantum chemical calculations, helping scientists analyze the behavior of matter and chemical reactions at the molecular scale. As demand for such precision grows, global competition in quantum computing is heating up. One major challenge, however, is their susceptibility to external noise, which can easily introduce errors. To overcome this, the new system employs a hybrid approach, with Fugaku assisting in correcting and verifying the quantum computer's outputs to ensure accurate results. At a press conference, RIKEN President Makoto Gonokami expressed confidence in the new system, stating that the integration "can contribute to solving global-scale challenges." Quantum computer that began operating at the RIKEN Center for Computational Science. June 24, Chuo Ward, Kobe (©Sankei by Miyako Nagumo) In related news, the latest TOP500 global supercomputer rankings, released on June 10, placed Fugaku 7th worldwide in computational speed, down one spot from its previous 6th-place ranking. The top three positions were once again dominated by American systems, led by El Capitan from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. A new German supercomputer entered the list at 4th place, nudging Fugaku down the ranks. Despite slipping in the overall rankings, Fugaku continues to lead in specialized data analysis performance. In the Graph500 benchmark, which evaluates the ability to process large-scale graph data, such as social networks and complex simulations, Fugaku held onto the top spot for the 11th consecutive term. However, in the HPCG benchmark, which measures performance in simulations critical to industrial applications, it dropped to 2nd place, ending a streak of 10 straight first-place finishes. Other Japanese supercomputers in the latest TOP500 include ABCI 3.0 in Chiba, ranked 15th, and the newly listed ABCI-Q in Ibaraki, debuting at 27th. Author: The Sankei Shimbun
India Today
22-06-2025
- India Today
The end of hacking? How Isro and DRDO are building an unhackable quantum future
In a world increasingly reliant on digital infrastructure, securing data is no longer a luxury — it is a necessity. While today's encryption systems rely on mathematical complexity, the cybersecurity of tomorrow will be grounded in the laws of quantum the heart of this revolution is quantum entanglement, a phenomenon Albert Einstein famously described as 'spooky action at a distance.'advertisementIndia, through the collaborative efforts of Isro and DRDO, is taking bold steps to harness this concept and build hack-proof quantum communication systems that could secure everything from satellite signals to financial transactions. When you log into your bank account or send a private message, your password acts as a lock protected by complex mathematical algorithms. Even the most powerful supercomputer—like El Capitan at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, capable of 1.742 quintillion calculations per second—would take centuries to break this the looming threat is real: fully developed quantum computers could solve these puzzles in seconds. This means emails, bank transactions, and national secrets could be exposed instantly if we don't transition to quantum-secure communication. India currently lags in satellite-based execution. (Photo: Isro) advertisementGOING QUANTUMSo, how does quantum entanglement make communication secure?Imagine sending messages so secure that any attempt to hack them triggers an automatic alarm—like a cosmic tripwire. This is the promise of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). When two particles, such as photons, are entangled, their states remain linked regardless of distance. It's like rolling one magical die on Earth and seeing the same result on another at the edge of the a quantum setting, two users — commonly called Alice and Bob — exchange encryption keys using quantum particles. If a third party, Eve, tries to intercept the key, the quantum state is disturbed, immediately alerting the users to the transmitted through air, fiber optics, or satellites, quantum-secure communication ensures that any eavesdropping attempt is not just detectable — but automatically shuts down the process. With this technology, India is paving the way for a future where data is truly QUANTUM SECURITYThere are several ways to implement quantum-secure communication: through optical fibers, free-space air links, and increasingly, satellite-based quantum communication is well-suited for secure links within cities, while free-space communication is used for rooftop or mobile the real game-changer is satellite-based quantum communication, where satellites transmit quantum keys across hundreds—or even thousands—of is making significant strides in this domain. ISRO recently demonstrated entanglement-based quantum-secure communication over a 300-meter distance, where encrypted video was successfully decrypted using secure quantum keys transmitted via photons and lasers. In another breakthrough, DRDO, in collaboration with IIT Delhi, achieved hack-proof communication over a distance of more than 1 achievements are not only technologically sophisticated but also strategically vital for national defense and critical infrastructure GLOBAL SCENARIOGlobally, China leads the race with its Micius satellite, enabling secure Quantum communication over 1,200 kilometres, followed by pioneering urban experiments in Europe and the India currently lags in satellite-based execution, its dual-pronged civil-military approach gives it a unique 1 km free-space and 100 km fiber demonstrations are impressive but lag behind China's satellite Isro has already outlined plans for space-based quantum communication, and DRDO is targeting secure battlefield and rural deployment. Together, they are laying the foundation for a national quantum communication grid..@DRDO_India & @iitdelhi demonstrate Quantum Entanglement-Based Free-Space Quantum Secure Communication over more than 1 km distancePaves way for development in quantum cyber security, quantum networks & future quantum internetIndia has entered into a new quantum era of PIB India (@PIB_India) June 16, 2025advertisementWHY IT MATTERS TO YOUQuantum communication may sound like science fiction, but it is fast becoming a national priority. In an era where digital threats evolve faster than defences, India's focus on entanglement-based secure channels is more than a scientific milestone—it is a strategic embracing the strange yet powerful laws of quantum physics, India is preparing to leapfrog into a new age of secure, sovereign communication could make your online transactions, personal data, and even national security systems unhackable. As Isro and DRDO push toward a quantum internet, India is joining an elite group of nations building a secure digital future. With more investment, India's quantum leap could soon rival the world's best, ensuring your secrets stay safe in the quantum Watch
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nvidia Powers Half of Top Supercomputers; AMD Leads in CPU Cores
June 11 - Nvidia's (NASDAQ:NVDA) Grace-Hopper chips are driving a major share of performance gains among newly listed supercomputers, according to Wells Fargo. Five Grace-Hopper systems contributed nearly half of the computing performance from 48 new systems added to the list. Nvidia GPUs now power 27 of those systems, while AMD (NASDAQ:AMD) GPUs appear in seven, the analysts noted. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Signs with NVDA. Still, AMD maintained its lead in total GPU cores, backed by its El Capitan system. The company also added 11 more systems using its EPYC CPUs compared to the June 2024 list, bringing its total to 173. The June 2025 list shows rising adoption of AI accelerators, with 234 systems now using them, up from 210 in November. Nvidia GPUs were used in 201 systems, up from 172 a year ago, while AMD GPU deployments rose to 26 from 14. Meanwhile, Intel (INTC) saw a drop in GPU core share outside China, falling to 13% from 15% in the previous list and 20% the year before. Nvidia's Grace CPUs also gained ground, now in 13 systems with over 3.6 million cores. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
