What an awesome comment! You may find some enjoyment in my videos as well. I do a lot of the same things but I'm no Nick. The "Illegal Gate Drop" video I put out a few weeks back was actually not far from Smith Rock.
I sure miss being physically able to go out hiking in places like that. It's been 8 years since a person messing with their cell phone while driving pulled out right in front of me on my motorcycle I was on a county road going 45mph. I woke up 27 days latter all broken. My passenger my dearest friend died... The person told the cops that they were messing with their cell phone and didn't see or hear me... SO PEOPLE PLEASE DON'T BE MESSING WITH YOUR DAM CELL PHONE WHILE YOUR DRIVING!!! That's for sharing your videos with us I really enjoy them... Some day this old bike will once again get back out there and enjoy hiking once again. I praise God for all the years I rambled across our great country before the wreck.... Be blessed in Jesus name... BBE...
I owned a farm about 5 miles from here for 42 years. Still miss it. I love Smith Rocks. Been on every trail there. Nice to learn about things I had no idea about. Thanks for the great lesson.
Ain't that the truth! PNW old-timer since 1975 when I moved here by choice. Love geology and now I see Nick Z intrigued by the climbers. ...I can hear him thinkin'..... Lessee, I can drop about a hundred and start looking at rocks on high close-up!! Always enjoy Nick's views on the "latest thinking" among geology pros. I'm an old guy, so I appreciate the pressure that J. Harlan Bretz was under when proposing his catastrophic theories about the floods that shaped eastern Washington. Give me a reply, maybe you can show me the trails and I can record our adventures!
Nick, allow me to just state that I've lived in the state of Washington my whole life. Yet I've learned so much more from your content than I ever had from any institutional center. I'm really grateful and appreciative of what it is that you do by informing the general public about our geology
Definitely worth watching more than once.... the feeling of being "there" was powerful and the views stunning. I really got a better sense of how this caldera is connected to the Yellowstone hot spot. Thanks for sharing!
During one of Nick's earlier lectures from a few years back, as he was explaining the path of the Continental Plate over the Yellowstone hot spot, I started to gain an understanding of how the clockwise rotation of the plate in the PNW around Pendleton would distort what would've been an otherwise straight path toward the Cascade Range and the Cape Mendocino triple junction. It all would appear to fit. I think there's substantial enough evidence her at Smith Rock to elevate theory to axiom.
Much as I enjoy the downtown lectures and your interviews, these field excursions are truly wonderful, exposing me to beautiful vistas I am not likely to see in person, even if I were able to mountain goat my way up some of those trails! I'm grateful for the effort you make, and the explanation of how a jagged fragment of limestone you spotted can wind up embedded in a volcanic tuff.
Just telling my girlfriend about what a weird anomaly Smith Rock is. Told her about the miles of high desert flatland and then there's Smith Rock seemingly from out of knowhere. Grew up in the foothills of the cascades my whole life watched life return to Saint Helens literally daily for thirty years. And here I am in my mid forties learning more about the ground than a lifetime of hiking, hunting, and spelunking ever thought me. Thank you professor your videos have breathed new life and love into home.
Got to love Smith rocks “Misery Ridge” hike :) I love my hometown :) I was born in 93’ during a massive snowstorm in that area about 20 miles away. Thank you for sharing!
Many times I've passed Smith Rocks but never stopped. Thanks, Nick, for bringing to light the astonishing birth and formation of this beautiful geographic landmark. John Wayne once did a movie with Smith Rock as a backdrop.
I love there videos. When i watch them i feel like i am on a geological field trip with you. Your live lectures are the classroom and this is the fun field trip
Such a gorgeous day at Smith Rock! Thank you Nick for including so many of the highlights of a visit to the park from rocks to river to junipers and wildlife (climbers included). Watching this Nick on the Fly after watching Nick from Home livestreams #11, 20, 25, & 55 (Olympic Peninsula/Siletzia, Super Volcanoes, Plate Tectonics, & PNW Plate Tectonics) really helped me better understand the Crooked River Caldera and its (current) location in Oregon. THANK YOU! It's so fun to learn all this.
Western rattler. Actually not being too nervous. They usually strike first and ask if you"re food later, like a white shark. Professor, thank you so very much for all of these. The inside of a supervolcano crater is absolutely stunning!
It makes me so happy seeing a new video from you professor. I'm from the UK London and it's my dream to come and see your beautiful country the USA. When I watch these videos I'm transported right there with you thank you so much.
1:36 into watching... I'm a freeloader on TH-cam since 2020 and revived my favorite college class geology 101 because of a wonderful teacher, Nick Zentner! Wow Nick, thought I'd been everywhere in Oregon! Never seen Smith Rock area... it's gorgeous! And this vid is 2 yrs old? Man, lockdown is brutal on us old folks.
Hi Nick I just want to thank you for your teaching about PNW Geology.. I've lived in WA State 58 of my 60 years in WA State and never understood all the out crops of Geo Strata that appears along the Hwys in our state.. until you so kindly shared your knowledge. Never heard of Smith Rock State Park until now.. My God its so beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing it...
Even without the fun & interesting geologic story to learn, this is magnificent scenery about which I never would have known without you. Thank uou so very much! (LTB, age 77)
My entire life as far back as I can remember I used to cross country walk like this, early 60's to mid 70's very rural south-central Kentucky my Grand Father, and I barely walking at first, would head out in the wilderness for miles, special times in my heart, only recently have I had to obey nature and stop. I can watch your exploits and somewhat know what the the air feels like, or the humidity that wears you down etc. Thanks
cannot tell you how much i appreciate all your videos, you made my son love geology (he's thinking of going to CWU, a freshman now in HS in Portland). We visit all these places after we see your vids, and have learned so much. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and time!!
Nick my friend you are one sure footed mountain goat! But thank goodness you are because the views you recorded where certainly awe inspiring. The energy that it took to do these things is nearly unbelievable. Thanks!
I've been in Oregon more than everywhere else since I was 21, and I've never seen a rattlesnake and that one's a beauty! I've been to Smith Rocks four times, but all before the "clockwise rotation" phenomena was figured out
Thanks. I will be going there the end of September as long as there’s no smoke from fires! That whole area is amazing! Great video, beautiful lighting!
Spectacular scenery. In fact, being an small town Englishman I'm just slightly amazed you're not All geologists over there!!?! Amazing. Thank you for all of your posts. Cheers. The UK.
WOW! Another great story told by the geo-evidence...a tiny chunk of limestone reveals an amazingly huge event! Thank you Nick for sharing & educating us.
I love the views in these 'Nick on the fly'. Thank you for doing this. Putting this together is great. Amazing strides in understanding at the level humans have come. It seems that the clockwise rotation vs the counter clockwise rotation could be associated with with a forearc vs a back arc and that the paleomagnetism not being a fixed location could account for the earth's tilt, wobble and ellipse which could factor into the polar reversals (during an ellipse perhaps). Things in motion. It takes soil, sun and water to grow vegetation. It takes farmers and agriculture workers to grow and harvest the crops. It takes transportation and producing and distributing to get the food to the stores for people to purchase. It is all a process. :)
Nick, you really need to visit Leslie Gulch in Eastern Oregon. It is another remnant of the Yellowstone hot spot and the caldera left behind by Mt. Mahogany. It is truly amazing and most people have never heard of it. I visited last summer and one of the locals I met called it Smith Rock on Steroids.
A FANTASTIC video from the amazing geology teacher, Nick Zentner!! I took geology in 1971. Did quite well in physical geology but really fell apart in historical geology. Of course, historical was the one, being here in Texas. If you were going into the petroleum field, historical geology was super crucial. Of course I was NOT, unlike my cousin Bill, who went on to a lifelong career as a geophysicist and computer programmer. That dude was, is, a brilliant guy and he retired years before I did, with a lot more money. I, on the other hand, was an artist from birth (was I making art at age 2? Don't remember. But right now I have paintings in progress, and they have geologic features as a part. I love Nizk Zentner's videos because of my lifelong interest in geology, and because these wonderful videos give me ALL KINDS of painting ideas!! There you go, a whole lot of information you aren't information. Well, nobody is gonna read this comment probably. Anyway, LOVE this video, Nick!! An inspiration to me on many levels, as are so many of your videos :)
Oh man! I was on the edge of my seat!! Do not like heights, but loved the whole lesson. Thank you for taking me where I could never go. 280? All muscle. 😂 Thank you once again.
Thank you Nick for taking us to and sharing the most interesting and beautiful places with us. Following your adventures has been a very welcome thing during all this pandemic crud.
Hi Nick, As long as you are cruising around Oregon it would be interesting to hear your take on the differences in the amount of coastal uplift due to the Cascadia Subduction Zone. If you compare Hwy. 26 going west to the coast it has 3 hills, 1300 feet high, 1600 feet, and 1600 feet. Compare that to taking Hwy. 126 west from Eugene to the coast. Relatively flat in comparison. Perhaps the Hwy. 26 west gets a lot of the rotational folding in addition.
So, I think this video seals it. New, additional name = National Geographic Nick -- what SPECTACULAR scenery in this video to go along with the fascinating geologic history!!! Absolutely breathtaking! And I love the tie-in to the Baja theory. It actually made sense to this non-geologist. "Am I worrying you?", Nick asks, while continuing to climb up and down and over and out where there did not seem to be any visible evidence of a path! By the time you fielded the question I'd been holding my breath for so long that I now qualify for membership in the Pearl Divers Assoc. And that lovely snake, wow! It has the markings and size of a desert King snake. They're similar to the diamondback Rattler, but the tale (stripes all the way to the end and couldn't see a rattle) and head (not big enough for a poisonous snake of that size and there was no narrowing of the neck), and at least 4+ feet in size (mature desert Kings easily get to 4-6 ft.). What a beauty! Another great adventure with Nick, On The Fly!!!
It is unlikely that the snake is a Desert King Snake (Lampropeltis splendida) for two reasons: 1) Wikipedia says the range of the Desert King Snake is Texas, Arizona and New Mexico, quite far from Oregon and Smith Rocks 2) The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says there are 15 species of snakes native to Oregon, and the Department does not include the Desert King in that list. If the snake shown here was not a rattle snake, it was most likely a Gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer), but Mr Zentner had at the best view. Can you tell us what it was?
Always fascinating! Beautiful! .... and I think you're part mountain goat, Nick ... You're amazing yourself, for that ability, and for all the great information you present so ... naturally!
Hey Nick, your explanation of the Yellowstone Hotspot was clear as glass to me - I cheated and watched your video on the subject! And like Poker God, I can't get around to do much hiking anymore either, so thank you many times! And as an aside, that big snake you filmed is the ONLY snake of any kind I've seen in Eastern Oregon. I've seen a s..t pot load of them in the Klickitat River Canyon over in your neck of the woods!
The line of Yellowstone Hot Spot calderas is like a system of ancient PANGA stations providing data points that span 10 of millions of years instead of decades.
Will catch this later - church starts same time and it sure would look funny if I left and snuck back in in 30 minutes 🤣🤣🤣🤣 thanks Nick! Wondered if you’d slow down once the school year started ...
It is a futile task for me to express the value of this content. I just drove thru MN from Fargo-Moorhead to Luverne (Seat of Rock County, no less). Different stories, for sure, but the connections are there. Thanks for sharing 🙏
You've done it again Nick, well done. I've run this one through 4 times and I'm coming back again tomorrow, on to the big screen! Thanks, Pete on the Isle of Wight.
A beautiful day to be on an excursion. You've got to have great balance to be able to scramble over the rough terrain holding that gizmo. Wow! That was one big snake!
Beautifully done, once again, Dr. Zentner. Since I have no background in, nor particular knowledge of, geology, I generally don't make assumptions about whether the landscape I'm looking at "merely" another Cascades volcano. That's why I watch these, professor - to increase my background and knowledge. I did spend a couple days in Bend on the way back from an Oregon Trail trip some years ago, so I'm not totally unfamiliar with the central Oregon landscape, but I should add that my sense of balance has deteriorated enough to make watching this more than a little uncomfortable. Well short of your weight and height, Fred Astair, I am not. In person, I could tolerate the lower trail, but once you've left the stream and started climbing, I'd be terrified, and would never hike up to that vantage point with the little limestone block, clear, calm morning notwithstanding. That said, rock climbers seem suicidal to me…
Just accomplished this hike today! We hiked Misery Ridge, the Mesa Verde trail and then the trail back around the river. I blame you…you are always inspiring my love of exploring.
Oh this was fantastic. Now I know a new word too, clasts! I love in the nogeology land of Florida, but came from the Rockies, so to me this was not only educational but a nice visit back to rocks and volcanoes and pokey up rocks, lol. Thank you, bless you, Nick!
We were at Smith Rock last month during that freak pre-Easter snowstorm. I was just in complete awe of it’s beauty. It was raining at the time so all the rocks were wet which made the colors stand out even more. We didn’t hike up to the rocks but even just from the viewpoints at the parking lots it was so beautiful. Completely unexpected. It’s good that you got there during a quiet time because apparently it’s quite popular with rock climbers. Ambulances standing by lol. I love when you venture down to Oregon. I live just southwest of Mt Hood so this is only a few hours away.
That trail looks terrifying. However I am not so steady on my feet and still getting used to progressive lenses. I’m sure the trail is wider than it looks but from here it looks like a mountain goat path.
I’ve been in a wheelchair for last 18 years and your hikes, with the footsteps, are amazingly therapeutic for me sir. Much appreciated my man !!!!
Do you play poker online? What about pinochle?
What an awesome comment! You may find some enjoyment in my videos as well. I do a lot of the same things but I'm no Nick. The "Illegal Gate Drop" video I put out a few weeks back was actually not far from Smith Rock.
Me, too!
Heart attack & there's no way i can do those hikes now. It's like virtually hiking with him.
It's fantastic.
I understand that so well! I watch “Through my Lens” outdoor videos when I’m in a particularly bad pain flare/Fatugue. Had a TiLite for five years
This channel only keeps getting bigger and better. The Hollywood studios have nothing on you, Professor !
I sure miss being physically able to go out hiking in places like that. It's been 8 years since a person messing with their cell phone while driving pulled out right in front of me on my motorcycle I was on a county road going 45mph. I woke up 27 days latter all broken. My passenger my dearest friend died... The person told the cops that they were messing with their cell phone and didn't see or hear me...
SO PEOPLE PLEASE DON'T BE MESSING WITH YOUR DAM CELL PHONE WHILE YOUR DRIVING!!!
That's for sharing your videos with us I really enjoy them... Some day this old bike will once again get back out there and enjoy hiking once again. I praise God for all the years I rambled across our great country before the wreck....
Be blessed in Jesus name... BBE...
I owned a farm about 5 miles from here for 42 years. Still miss it. I love Smith Rocks. Been on every trail there. Nice to learn about things I had no idea about. Thanks for the great lesson.
Ain't that the truth! PNW old-timer since 1975 when I moved here by choice. Love geology and now I see Nick Z intrigued by the climbers. ...I can hear him thinkin'..... Lessee, I can drop about a hundred and start looking at rocks on high close-up!! Always enjoy Nick's views on the "latest thinking" among geology pros. I'm an old guy, so I appreciate the pressure that J. Harlan Bretz was under when proposing his catastrophic theories about the floods that shaped eastern Washington.
Give me a reply, maybe you can show me the trails and I can record our adventures!
Nick, allow me to just state that I've lived in the state of Washington my whole life. Yet I've learned so much more from your content than I ever had from any institutional center. I'm really grateful and appreciative of what it is that you do by informing the general public about our geology
*When the Yellowstone Hot Spot* starts glowin', the tuff gonna be blowin'!
Good morning Professor! Good morning fellow NickNerds!
Definitely worth watching more than once.... the feeling of being "there" was powerful and the views stunning. I really got a better sense of how this caldera is connected to the Yellowstone hot spot. Thanks for sharing!
During one of Nick's earlier lectures from a few years back, as he was explaining the path of the Continental Plate over the Yellowstone hot spot, I started to gain an understanding of how the clockwise rotation of the plate in the PNW around Pendleton would distort what would've been an otherwise straight path toward the Cascade Range and the Cape Mendocino triple junction. It all would appear to fit. I think there's substantial enough evidence her at Smith Rock to elevate theory to axiom.
Yay! Oregon stories!!!! Our whole family loves your episodes.
Much as I enjoy the downtown lectures and your interviews, these field excursions are truly wonderful, exposing me to beautiful vistas I am not likely to see in person, even if I were able to mountain goat my way up some of those trails! I'm grateful for the effort you make, and the explanation of how a jagged fragment of limestone you spotted can wind up embedded in a volcanic tuff.
Thank you Professor for venturing into Oregon, sharing it's beauty from micro to macro and adding to our knowledge.
Just telling my girlfriend about what a weird anomaly Smith Rock is. Told her about the miles of high desert flatland and then there's Smith Rock seemingly from out of knowhere. Grew up in the foothills of the cascades my whole life watched life return to Saint Helens literally daily for thirty years. And here I am in my mid forties learning more about the ground than a lifetime of hiking, hunting, and spelunking ever thought me. Thank you professor your videos have breathed new life and love into home.
I am in Smith Rock area this weekend. I marvel at it every time I visit. So beautiful. Hitting Richardson's Ranch today for thunder eggs.
Is digging in the back acreage open again? It's been shut down for a year now.
@@susangardner5392 I was disappointed to see the field closed to thunderegg diggers some time ago; I'd be happy to hear it's open again.
The Lucky Strike Mine near Mitchel Oregon is still open for digging Thunder Eggs.
The Lucky Strike Mine near Mitchel Oregon is still open for digging Thunder Eggs.
Hey Nick, this is amazing footage of smith rock, the lighting is perfect!!! Thanks so much for sharing!!
I hope you knew the climbers, I would have been very nervous being filmed while climbing. just sayin'
Got to love Smith rocks “Misery Ridge” hike :) I love my hometown :) I was born in 93’ during a massive snowstorm in that area about 20 miles away. Thank you for sharing!
7 Nick-free days makes one weak! Great you’re back!
Beautiful pictures Nick thank you! I walk with a cane and would never be able to see it personally! Gorgeous!
Awesome Nick, thanks for sharing
the most incredible views i have ever seen. thank you again
Many times I've passed Smith Rocks but never stopped. Thanks, Nick, for bringing to light the astonishing birth and formation of this beautiful geographic landmark. John Wayne once did a movie with Smith Rock as a backdrop.
I'm a big fan.
"That's a tree. These are trees."
Thanks Nick!
Messing with you of course. Entertaining observation.
Thank you, Nick! Beautiful scenery and a tidbit or two intellectually, for sure.
Absolutely beautiful landscape! And interesting as allways. This guy has really made me interested in his topic.
I love there videos. When i watch them i feel like i am on a geological field trip with you. Your live lectures are the classroom and this is the fun field trip
Such a gorgeous day at Smith Rock! Thank you Nick for including so many of the highlights of a visit to the park from rocks to river to junipers and wildlife (climbers included). Watching this Nick on the Fly after watching Nick from Home livestreams #11, 20, 25, & 55 (Olympic Peninsula/Siletzia, Super Volcanoes, Plate Tectonics, & PNW Plate Tectonics) really helped me better understand the Crooked River Caldera and its (current) location in Oregon. THANK YOU! It's so fun to learn all this.
Lovely Canyon Wren song at 3:33. They like this kind of place.
Prof NIck. Thank you for your travels and lectures. Such a beautiful place!
Also, thank you for your continued humor and bringing smiles during covid19-2020!
Awesome job Nick !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! we love you too good old Wis boy
Western rattler. Actually not being too nervous. They usually strike first and ask if you"re food later, like a white shark.
Professor, thank you so very much for all of these. The inside of a supervolcano crater is absolutely stunning!
It makes me so happy seeing a new video from you professor. I'm from the UK London and it's my dream to come and see your beautiful country the USA. When I watch these videos I'm transported right there with you thank you so much.
I bet the sky at night out there is amazing.
Stunning!!! What a trip you take us on!!! Thank you!
1:36 into watching... I'm a freeloader on TH-cam since 2020 and revived my favorite college class geology 101 because of a wonderful teacher, Nick Zentner!
Wow Nick, thought I'd been everywhere in Oregon! Never seen Smith Rock area... it's gorgeous! And this vid is 2 yrs old? Man, lockdown is brutal on us old folks.
I live in Las Vegas but was touring Oregon and was thrilled to come across this state park near Bend. Truly a gem!
Hi Nick
I just want to thank you for your teaching about PNW Geology.. I've lived in WA State 58 of my 60 years in WA State and never understood all the out crops of Geo Strata that appears along the Hwys in our state.. until you so kindly shared your knowledge.
Never heard of Smith Rock State Park until now.. My God its so beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing it...
Thank you, Professor! A Breath-taking landscape!
What a beautiful place! This was a real treat to see and learn about. Thank you Nick!
Even without the fun & interesting geologic story to learn, this is magnificent scenery about which I never would have known without you. Thank uou so very much! (LTB, age 77)
Gosh! The view made me woosie
Obviously you aren’t bothered by heights
My entire life as far back as I can remember I used to cross country walk like this, early 60's to mid 70's very rural south-central Kentucky my Grand Father, and I barely walking at first, would head out in the wilderness for miles, special times in my heart, only recently have I had to obey nature and stop. I can watch your exploits and somewhat know what the the air feels like, or the humidity that wears you down etc. Thanks
The most scenic Nick on Rocks to date.... keep on crushing it Nick!!!
You're getting me dizzy. :) What beautiful scenery and an amazing view of the Three Sisters! Thank you Nick.
cannot tell you how much i appreciate all your videos, you made my son love geology (he's thinking of going to CWU, a freshman now in HS in Portland). We visit all these places after we see your vids, and have learned so much. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and time!!
Nick my friend you are one sure footed mountain goat! But thank goodness you are because the views you recorded where certainly awe inspiring. The energy that it took to do these things is nearly unbelievable. Thanks!
I've been in Oregon more than everywhere else since I was 21, and I've never seen a rattlesnake and that one's a beauty! I've been to Smith Rocks four times, but all before the "clockwise rotation" phenomena was figured out
Thanks. I will be going there the end of September as long as there’s no smoke from fires! That whole area is amazing! Great video, beautiful lighting!
We may see you there, Sharon - we'll be the people with bikes and hammers. :)
Spectacular scenery. In fact, being an small town Englishman I'm just slightly amazed you're not All geologists over there!!?! Amazing. Thank you for all of your posts. Cheers. The UK.
Nice vocalization by a canyon wren at 3:35 into the program! Thank you Nick for another super episode!
WOW! Another great story told by the geo-evidence...a tiny chunk of limestone reveals an amazingly huge event! Thank you Nick for sharing & educating us.
Beautiful place, Nick! Thank you!
I love the views in these 'Nick on the fly'. Thank you for doing this. Putting this together is great. Amazing strides in understanding at the level humans have come. It seems that the clockwise rotation vs the counter clockwise rotation could be associated with with a forearc vs a back arc and that the paleomagnetism not being a fixed location could account for the earth's tilt, wobble and ellipse which could factor into the polar reversals (during an ellipse perhaps). Things in motion. It takes soil, sun and water to grow vegetation. It takes farmers and agriculture workers to grow and harvest the crops. It takes transportation and producing and distributing to get the food to the stores for people to purchase. It is all a process. :)
Gorgeous scenery ~ thanks for the trip ! 👍
Love learning about geology ,love this beautiful area ,thx for showing
Nick, you really need to visit Leslie Gulch in Eastern Oregon. It is another remnant of the Yellowstone hot spot and the caldera left behind by Mt. Mahogany. It is truly amazing and most people have never heard of it. I visited last summer and one of the locals I met called it Smith Rock on Steroids.
A FANTASTIC video from the amazing geology teacher, Nick Zentner!! I took geology in 1971. Did quite well in physical geology but really fell apart in historical geology. Of course, historical was the one, being here in Texas. If you were going into the petroleum field, historical geology was super crucial. Of course I was NOT, unlike my cousin Bill, who went on to a lifelong career as a geophysicist and computer programmer. That dude was, is, a brilliant guy and he retired years before I did, with a lot more money. I, on the other hand, was an artist from birth (was I making art at age 2? Don't remember. But right now I have paintings in progress, and they have geologic features as a part. I love Nizk Zentner's videos because of my lifelong interest in geology, and because these wonderful videos give me ALL KINDS of painting ideas!! There you go, a whole lot of information you aren't information. Well, nobody is gonna read this comment probably. Anyway, LOVE this video, Nick!! An inspiration to me on many levels, as are so many of your videos :)
Spectacular scenery and amazing views
I love how you somehow capture the essence of being there.
Oh man! I was on the edge of my seat!! Do not like heights, but loved the whole lesson. Thank you for taking me where I could never go. 280? All muscle. 😂 Thank you once again.
Wow! A show from Oregon! A rare treat for those of us South if the Columbia…
Thank you Nick for taking us to and sharing the most interesting and beautiful places with us. Following your adventures has been a very welcome thing during all this pandemic crud.
Nick - this video and the views of Smith Rock are just stunning!
Thank you once again, Professor Nick. This place is absolutely Awesome!
Again, thanks a lot Nick. I learn something every time I watch one of your videos. These field trips really help me "see" what you're telling me.
It is so easy to see why you are in love with Washington geology. Your videos and commentary are exquisite!
For me , most amazing scenery of any videos you've done. Scared the heck out of me for the first time , about 9:30 mark. Great , great job.
Hi Nick, As long as you are cruising around Oregon it would be interesting to hear your take on the differences in the amount of coastal uplift due to the Cascadia Subduction Zone. If you compare Hwy. 26 going west to the coast it has 3 hills, 1300 feet high, 1600 feet, and 1600 feet.
Compare that to taking Hwy. 126 west from Eugene to the coast. Relatively flat in comparison. Perhaps the Hwy. 26 west gets a lot of the rotational folding in addition.
So, I think this video seals it. New, additional name = National Geographic Nick -- what SPECTACULAR scenery in this video to go along with the fascinating geologic history!!! Absolutely breathtaking! And I love the tie-in to the Baja theory. It actually made sense to this non-geologist.
"Am I worrying you?", Nick asks, while continuing to climb up and down and over and out where there did not seem to be any visible evidence of a path! By the time you fielded the question I'd been holding my breath for so long that I now qualify for membership in the Pearl Divers Assoc.
And that lovely snake, wow! It has the markings and size of a desert King snake. They're similar to the diamondback Rattler, but the tale (stripes all the way to the end and couldn't see a rattle) and head (not big enough for a poisonous snake of that size and there was no narrowing of the neck), and at least 4+ feet in size (mature desert Kings easily get to 4-6 ft.). What a beauty! Another great adventure with Nick, On The Fly!!!
It is unlikely that the snake is a Desert King Snake (Lampropeltis splendida) for two reasons:
1) Wikipedia says the range of the Desert King Snake is Texas, Arizona and New Mexico, quite far from Oregon and Smith Rocks
2) The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says there are 15 species of snakes native to Oregon, and the Department does not include the Desert King in that list.
If the snake shown here was not a rattle snake, it was most likely a Gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer), but Mr Zentner had at the best view. Can you tell us what it was?
Always fascinating! Beautiful! .... and I think you're part mountain goat, Nick ... You're amazing yourself, for that ability, and for all the great information you present so ... naturally!
Really beautiful country over there!
Thanks for expanding to Oregon!
Another splendid and informative tour!
Hey Nick, your explanation of the Yellowstone Hotspot was clear as glass to me - I cheated and watched your video on the subject! And like Poker God, I can't get around to do much hiking anymore either, so thank you many times! And as an aside, that big snake you filmed is the ONLY snake of any kind I've seen in Eastern Oregon. I've seen a s..t pot load of them in the Klickitat River Canyon over in your neck of the woods!
The line of Yellowstone Hot Spot calderas is like a system of ancient PANGA stations providing data points that span 10 of millions of years instead of decades.
Those views you shared are just stunning. thank you so much for filming this adventure, yes I was scared for you.
Will catch this later - church starts same time and it sure would look funny if I left and snuck back in in 30 minutes 🤣🤣🤣🤣 thanks Nick! Wondered if you’d slow down once the school year started ...
I would be worried to death if it was my son on that rock! We do love learning about your talented family!
I was thinking that too. Would not want my son rock climbing,
Thank you for taking us to one of my favorite spots and for explaining the wild geology of Smith Rock. The later has perplexed me for years.
Brings back a lot of great memories, thank you ❤
Beautiful! Loved it! Thanks Nick!
I just love the Smith Rocks. Need to spend more time there. Hello from Ridgefield, Washington.
My favorite “Nick on the fly” video. Spent some time at Smith Rock years ago but the weather was terrible and couldn’t hike much.
It is a futile task for me to express the value of this content.
I just drove thru MN from Fargo-Moorhead to Luverne (Seat of Rock County, no less).
Different stories, for sure, but the connections are there.
Thanks for sharing 🙏
Beautiful presentation. Thank you so much. 3:33 canyon wren.
You've done it again Nick, well done. I've run this one through 4 times and I'm coming back again tomorrow, on to the big screen! Thanks, Pete on the Isle of Wight.
A beautiful day to be on an excursion. You've got to have great balance to be able to scramble over the rough terrain holding that gizmo. Wow! That was one big snake!
Wow, high def photography, so very clear! Love it!
Beautifully done, once again, Dr. Zentner. Since I have no background in, nor particular knowledge of, geology, I generally don't make assumptions about whether the landscape I'm looking at "merely" another Cascades volcano. That's why I watch these, professor - to increase my background and knowledge. I did spend a couple days in Bend on the way back from an Oregon Trail trip some years ago, so I'm not totally unfamiliar with the central Oregon landscape, but I should add that my sense of balance has deteriorated enough to make watching this more than a little uncomfortable. Well short of your weight and height, Fred Astair, I am not. In person, I could tolerate the lower trail, but once you've left the stream and started climbing, I'd be terrified, and would never hike up to that vantage point with the little limestone block, clear, calm morning notwithstanding. That said, rock climbers seem suicidal to me…
Beautiful and a Northern Pacific Rattlesnake too, I think.
Just accomplished this hike today! We hiked Misery Ridge, the Mesa Verde trail and then the trail back around the river. I blame you…you are always inspiring my love of exploring.
Oh this was fantastic. Now I know a new word too, clasts! I love in the nogeology land of Florida, but came from the Rockies, so to me this was not only educational but a nice visit back to rocks and volcanoes and pokey up rocks, lol. Thank you, bless you, Nick!
Great little video, thanks for sharing Nick!
Your camera is excellent. The vista's are incredible. Thanks Nick
The loveliest hike yet. Trees and rocks-oh my.
stunning footage what a wonderful escape
I love this channel! Thank you, Nick! You're the Bob Ross of Geology. That river is the best mirror I've ever seen.
Gorgeous. Wish we could smell the area, junipers....
We were at Smith Rock last month during that freak pre-Easter snowstorm. I was just in complete awe of it’s beauty. It was raining at the time so all the rocks were wet which made the colors stand out even more. We didn’t hike up to the rocks but even just from the viewpoints at the parking lots it was so beautiful. Completely unexpected. It’s good that you got there during a quiet time because apparently it’s quite popular with rock climbers. Ambulances standing by lol. I love when you venture down to Oregon. I live just southwest of Mt Hood so this is only a few hours away.
That trail looks terrifying. However I am not so steady on my feet and still getting used to progressive lenses. I’m sure the trail is wider than it looks but from here it looks like a mountain goat path.
This is so beautiful, thanks for sharing. I'm afraid of heights and held my breath all the way down.
Sorry I missed the live stream . Beautiful country. Sunrises and sunsets really make the colors of the rocks pop.
Okay Smith Rock is officially on my bucket list!