Daredevil climbs vertical rock column named Totem Pole - PHOTO

Standing more than 210ft tall, created with no help from humans, this gigantic rock off the coast of Australia is an adrenaline junkies dream.Hundreds of climbers and slackliners travel to the Totem Pole at Cape Hauy, Tasmania each year to get their adrenaline pumping as they scale the rock.The Totem Pole is a naturally occurring formation called a sea stack, a steep and often vertical column of rock, found in the sea or near the coast and formed by erosion.These amazing photographs were captured by Australian photographer Simon Carter, 47, after he decided to capture climbers tackling the unique landmark.‘These are experienced rock climbers physically and mentally challenging themselves on one of the coolest rock formations for climbers in the world,’ explains Simon, of Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia.‘The Totem Pole has long held a fascination for rock climbers.‘Not only is it an iconic formation in a super atmospheric location, the quality of the actual rock climbing is exceedingly good.‘The very first time I saw the Totem Pole it was in 1995 and I thought “wow, I have to get a photo of that!”.’There was only one route to the summit when Simon first visited the Totem Pole in 1995.The Ewbank Route, named after Australian climber John Ewbank, was established in 1968.Simon says, ‘A few weeks after I returned with a team of rock climbers and we established a new route on the Totem Pole.‘The route ascended the eastern side of the pillar, complete with a perfect ledge half way up.‘We were able to 'free climb' this route; and named it The Free Route.‘It was super satisfying to climb something like that, not knowing that it would be possible to climb it in that style.’Abseiling 30-metres down the side of a cliff facing the Totem Pole to take some of his pictures, Simon has now climbed the rock numerous times since his first visit in 1995.Simon says: ‘I have always found the climbing to be really hard as well as kind of scary and intimidating, every time it's been deeply satisfying.‘When I noticed climbers were also tight-rope walking across the top I was impressed.‘Not simply at the technical skills at what they were doing, and the faith they had in their safety setup, but by their ability to totally concentrate on what they were doing in the wind and 60-meteres above the waves smashing into the base of the cliff below.‘As a society we've become very disconnected from the natural world.‘I think that having a bit of adventure every now and then is not only good for the soul but it~s an important way of reconnecting with the natural world.’(dailymail.co.uk)ANN.Az