Repost This ArticleSome places — and activities — have a way of making you feel really, really small.
***Copyrighted Material: The images below are copyrighted against unauthorized use. We were granted special permission to feature them in this Matador photo essay. Please visit the photographer links for licensing conditions for each photo.*** 
1
Uluru, Australia
The massive rock -- a.k.a. Ayers Rock -- is climbed by 250 every day, despite pleas from local indigenous groups to refrain from doing so.Photo: Chris Harrison
2
Diving with whale sharks
The whale shark is the world's largest fish species and can grow to be longer than 40 feet. This shot was taken off Christmas Island, Australia, in January 2005.Photo: Rob Hughes
3
Cotopaxi summit, Ecuador
This volcano just south of Quito reaches an elevation of 5,897m (19,347ft) -- often higher than the clouds.Photo: david_rombautIntermission
4
Redwood country, California
Taken in Stout Grove, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, this picture shows me (in red) straining my neck next to the Stout Tree.Photo: Aya Padron
5
Sea kayaking, solo
Sea Kayaking, soloBig water, small boat. Shot taken walking the Southwest Coast Path from Land's End to Plymouth, England.Photo: nixwilliams
6
Great Ocean Road, Australia
The coast along one of the world's most spectacular roads is also good for a walk.Photo: Andrew Ferrier
8
Summer snowboarding at Snowfields, Rocky Mountains
This is no photoshop. It's Matador senior editor David Miller getting in some late-season turns in Rocky Mountain National Park. Read about it in The Dharma Shack Chronicles.Photo: David Miller
9
Desert near Ica, southern Peru
Sand accumulates into massive dunes in one of the driest deserts on Earth. Notice the city of Ica, Peru, in the distance -- also dwarfed.Photo: guilherme cecÃlioIntermission
10
Camping under the stars
So many stars. And camping the best way to let them overwhelm you. This shot was taken near Maupin, Oregon.Photo: Ben Canales
11
Mount Bromo volcano, Indonesia
This very active Javanese volcano attracts lots of tiny visitors up to its steaming rim.Photo: Jiang
12
Half Dome, Yosemite National Park
That's me again, this time feeling very small (and a little dizzy) at the top of Half Dome. Notice the gloves -- not a fashion statement, but what you use to pull yourself up the cables on the final ascent.Photo: Aya Padron
13
Lake Fryxell, Antarctica
Travelers to Antarctica report losing all sense of distance -- the geographic scale is so immense and the ice fields so flat and white. This is Lake Fryxell.Photo: Nicolas Arthur Salava
14
Preikestolen, Norway
This rock has a great view of Lysefjorden and is a good place to get close to the edge.Photo: Sonya Kanelstrand
15
Mont Blanc, France
Europe's tallest mountain tops out at 4,810m (15,782ft) and sits in one of The 6 Best Starter Ranges for Mountaineering.Photo: Sarah BrigdenIntermission
16
Uyuni, Bolivia
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia. This salt plain is the world's largest and traps rainwater during wet winter months, creating a tripped-out sky mirror. Find out how to get there.Photo: Carlos DÃaz
17
Malham Cove, England
On a cliff ascentThis one happens to be the curved limestone face of Malham Cove, North Yorkshire, England.Photo: Dubris
Travelers Stoked on this Gallery
Hal Amen
Hal Amen is managing editor at Matador. His personal travel blog is WayWorded.
great snaps..thumbs up.
I was at the Brazilian side of Iquazu Foz in 1973. There is a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt: “Poor Niagara!” One would have to go to Pandora to see a more amazing set of falls!
Stunning photos
Phenomenal inspiration here!