Climbers were too close for comfort on Iceland volcano

The accompanying image was captured by Jesus Calleja, who was part of a Spanish climbing team that was much too close for comfort when Iceland's Eyjafallajokull volcano blew its top last week, leaving thousands of travelers stranded throughout Europe.

As reported on Explorersweb, Calleja and Ramon Larramendi "had to ask for an emergency airlift after their climbing target burst into a hell of magma, smoke, flying debris and melting glaciers."

For Calleja, who has climbed Mt. Everest, and Larramendi, a polar ski-explorer, this must rank atop their list of surreal experiences.

-- Pete Thomas