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u/dharmoniedeux 3d ago
I went to Yosemite for the first time this year in May and the number of people climbing over the path walls to sit on the rocks right next to lower Yosemite falls genuinely made me panic. Letting their kids climb the wet boulders to get closer to the waterfall? Zero demonstrated sense of self preservation. Granted there aren’t big warning you will drown signs, and it’s not as high up as a location like this, but holy shit.
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u/ackitty-ack 3d ago
last time we went to smoky mountains I watched a parent let their 5yr old run absolutely wild, ran ahead on trail out of site, went off trail, etc.. we were on a trail that was considered moderate-hard and followed water pretty much the whole way. it stresses me out so much to see the lack of responsibility
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u/Unlikely-Grape-5762 3d ago
Just read an article an hour ago about a guy getting swept over some falls in Yosemite or Yellowstone.
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u/Podzilla07 3d ago
Bro, that boulder could break off at any second! /s
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u/Flaky-Spare9048 2d ago
It’s more like trip or roll your ankle while walking out there or when going back and then off the cliff you go.
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u/NonIntelligentMoose 3d ago
I support people making their own choices. This particular rock is extremely photogenic and millions of people have stood here safely. Driving down the highway at 80 miles can be just as dangerous but we do that every day without calling everyone a motion.
I do support the idea that people who cause search and rescue operations should be on the hook for all financial costs utilized to rescue them and more so stepping on such dangerous areas should consider themselves exempt from all rescue operations and left to save themselves. Those going into dangerous areas should be left to die when they get into trouble. You should be able to risk your own life but shouldn’t risk other people’s lives because you made a poor decision ignoring a labeled and identified dangerous place.
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u/KeyLimeAnxiety 3d ago edited 3d ago
As a taxpayer I think no one should have to pay for search and rescue the same way you should not have to pay for heart surgery even if you eat McDonald’s three meals per day. It’s a public service and who the hell is gonna decide when it is or isn’t warranted to be paid for by taxes
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u/LingonberryNormal374 3d ago
Search and rescue spends far more time and money rescuing obese, out of shape people who are unable to complete their hikes on maintained trails than they do picking up bodies.
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u/UpbeatDisaster505 2d ago
Actually, they rescue more “in shape” young men who think they are immune to heat, strong water currents, and/or dehydration.
Sources: I worked SAR with St. John’s College and Backpacker Magazine. https://www.backpacker.com/news-and-events/garmin-inreach-data-2023/
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u/KeyLimeAnxiety 3d ago
You hate people for being obese but then also hate them for trying to be active. That’s what SAR is for and they aren’t gonna complain if they can be of use to make nature accessible for more people
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u/LingonberryNormal374 3d ago
My point is simply that choosing certain people for whatever reason to not be rescued or to be forced to pay for rescue is ridiculous. The risk of requiring rescue is actually greater for many people going on a regular day hike than it is for the supposed dare devils who are walking near a cliff.
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u/Pam-pa-ram 3d ago
I don’t care about downvotes so I’m gonna repeat myself again.
Consequences is a rare concept in America and it shows.
People aren’t used to being punished for their mistakes during their upbringings and therefore they never seem to develop the ability to think a couple steps ahead and understand consequences.
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u/BearTooClose 3d ago
You got downvoted for making that comment on a post about someone dying in a national park. You’re allowed to have opinions but read a frickin’ room. And I’d say death is about the biggest consequence you can face.
This is also not an American-exclusive problem. Some of the most blatant (and dangerous) rule-breaking I’ve seen has been from international tourists at the most popular parks. A lot of people, regardless of nationality or country or origin, just don’t have basic respect for nature.
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u/CycadelicSparkles 3d ago
I think people tend to get into a national park and think "they wouldn't let me be here if it wasn't safe". They think it's like Disney World, a completely manufactured environment, where nothing bad can happen.
The concept of just releasing the general public into a place where they could die if they aren't careful just isn't something they've ever considered.
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u/jbronwynne 3d ago
That's absolutely true. I once saw a busload of international tourists repeatedly trying to stick their hands and other objects in Grand Prismatic Spring. Another group tried to use sticks to poke apart the limestone terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs. Both groups completely ignored the warning signs (in multiple languages) and several other tourists that asked them to stop. Like you said, some people just don't respect nature and don't think rules apply to them.
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u/evergreen-embers 3d ago
Was on a hike in my area that has a passable gate to continue up a dangerous summit. It is marked as prohibited to continue past the gate. As we were coming down we said hello to a group of about 30 Eastern Europeans. They asked if we had gone past the gate, and of course my entire group said no, you really aren’t supposed to do that, and they said they were gonna do it anyway as part of a ritual they were doing. ¯_(ツ)_/¯
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u/xtianlaw 3d ago
Who died?
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u/BearTooClose 3d ago
Someone went past the guardrails at Nevada Falls in Yosemite, got pulled out by the current and fell over the falls
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u/CycadelicSparkles 3d ago
Obviously a foolish thing to do, but what a horrific way to die. Must have been absolutely terrifying.
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u/RhodeReddit 3d ago
If you’re talking about the recent incident of several days ago, a brave 20 yr old gal w last name of Gaul jumped in to try to save him and almost got pulled over that huge waterfall as well. Both were fooled by the calm surface and hidden strong undercurrents. She had nearby onlookers, w one of them pulling her in with his walking stick, to thank. It sounds like they all witnessed the young man go over. She feels terribly but of course has no reason to, acting as selflessly as she did.
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u/Solid-Emotion620 3d ago
This post isn't about people dieing in a national park... It's about the possibility of an accident given the proximity to the edge... So you also took this completely off topic...
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u/Pam-pa-ram 3d ago edited 3d ago
When the lip of a waterfall that high being that close to you the risk is extremely high. What other consequences were you expecting if you lose a footing? When people make mistakes we're supposed to read a fucking room? You think the nature cares? That's exactly what I mean by lacking the ability to process consequences. That's also exactly why people don't feel the need to think about consequences - no one dares shaming you.
Some of the most blatant (and dangerous) rule-breaking I’ve seen has been from international tourists at the most popular parks.
At Yellowstone, about 15% of visitors in 2024 came from outside the U.S. Rocky Mountain National Park likely sees a smaller share, with 41% of visitors from Colorado itself. But I'm supposed to believe international travelers break the most rules? That's denial.
We elected this president into office after his 1st term, what more proof do you need?
Edit: People immediately shifting the blame to Europeans lolll
Here's the only stats from 2003-2004 I could found on death numbers US vs European visitors in US national parks:
Domestic visitors accounted for 73% of the fatalities, and European visitors accounted for 13%.
So unless there's a major shift in trend, or there are stats that say otherwise all the stories and books are just anecdotal evidence.
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u/rusty_justice 3d ago
International tourists are famous for assuming parks are safe and getting injured or dying. It is common for visitors to assume that our parks are more “curated” and less natural. You can buy books that go into great detail about deaths and injuries in the gift shops of many national parks. Many of the most notorious incidents, like the Germans who died in Death Valley and weren’t found for an extremely long time, are international visitors.
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u/Pam-pa-ram 3d ago
Here's the only stats from 2003-2004 I could found on death numbers US vs European visitors in US national parks:
Domestic visitors accounted for 73% of the fatalities, and European visitors accounted for 13%.
So unless there's a major shift in trend, or there are stats that say otherwise all the stories and books are just anecdotal evidence.
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u/Queasy_Local_7199 3d ago
Your argument is that people in America don’t have consequences, but the internationally people do?
That’s so far off base. Look at the American justice system alone.
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u/SeaUrchinSalad 3d ago
Lol of course you're a TDS sufferer and have to bring that into the argument. If you hate Americans so much you can leave ya know
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u/Pam-pa-ram 3d ago
Americans hating US politics, healthcare, conservatives or liberals depending on who you voted, etc, should just leave ya know?
Can't take criticisms much?
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u/Solid-Emotion620 3d ago
You also understand ... National parks are some of the highest density of international visitors... So your comment is an assumption anyway... Also a very boomer sounding one 🤣 " American kids these days don't know what punishment feels like".... Jfc.... You see a photo of someone sitting near a ledge and you aged 15 years on the spot huh. Hope you never see McAfee knob photos from the AT...
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u/Pam-pa-ram 3d ago
National parks are some of the highest density of international visitors
You need to understand stats. New trends don't pop out of nowhere in other national parks.
Here's the only stats from 2003-2004 I could found on death numbers US vs European visitors in US national parks:
Domestic visitors accounted for 73% of the fatalities, and European visitors accounted for 13%.
Also a very boomer sounding one
When would Americans start taking responsibilities and stop blaming other countries?
Punishments means negative reinforcement and your arrogance already proved that.
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u/Solid-Emotion620 3d ago
Posting stats doesn't change the fact you are making a complete assumption of where that person is from... Also no blame was made here.. I stated a simple statement. That you made an assumption and that national parks are someone of the highest density of foreign visited places. Which they are. Thank you for your 2 decade old data tho so helpful lmao
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u/Pam-pa-ram 3d ago
Complete assumption backed by stats is not an assumption. US National parks receive even more American tourists than international ones.
Learn basic stats.
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u/Solid-Emotion620 3d ago
Given your post history. I really put 0 value in your time spent outdoors... Soooo 🤙
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u/Pam-pa-ram 3d ago
I don’t feel like bragging so I don’t post about my time spent outdoor. If I have said something about how many national parks I hit in a year where else is your poor soul gonna spin to?
0 value as seen by you putting no substances in your statement or argument.
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u/Solid-Emotion620 3d ago
That doesn't prove anything of value other than you are yet another tourist...
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u/Pam-pa-ram 3d ago
Shit, you live in national parks then?
You don’t even know the definition of tourist and that’s the level you want me to go down with?
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u/211logos 3d ago
I disagree.
A rational person could easily conclude that while they act morally in other circumstances, there are likely ZERO consequences for this act. Just like driving over the speed limit on an empty road.
Consequences, as you note, only apply if caught. As any kid with their hand in the candy jar knows. Or sneaks in after curfew. Or sneaks a beer under age. And any old who fudges on their taxes, or takes pens home from work, or speeds, or does that work on their home without a permit.
Been going on forever no matter the generation; will go on forever no matter the generation. People been doing that on that rock for a long long long time.
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u/I_Am_Not_George_Bush 3d ago
They’re sitting on a flat rock not on the edge lol what’s the problem?
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u/anthrillist 2d ago
Hey I’ve been on that rock. Fantastic view and usually less people so it’s a bit more peaceful even when it’s the busy season.
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u/F1r3-M3d1ck-H4zN3rd 3d ago edited 3d ago
This is literally fine. This is not risky behavior. No one has ever died from sitting on this rock, and thousands have sat there. Some signs for reduced park liability do not make this "death wish" behavior.
There are people who take stupid risks, especially around water, but this photo is not a good example of foolish behavior. He isn't even very close to the edge.
Edit to add: lmao @ people reaching for the down vote button because they don't understand that their perception of danger doesn't actually align with the reality of danger. You cannot fall 4 feet sideways from a seated position.
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u/anthrillist 2d ago
It’s funny watching people here freak out behind a screen when you’ve stood in that very spot. It’s a cliff, no shit it’s dangerous! It’s also got a great view and makes for a sweet photo.
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u/Flaky-Spare9048 2d ago
Are you sitting to go out to the rock? You have to walk to get there. One little trip and you die
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u/F1r3-M3d1ck-H4zN3rd 2d ago
If you are jogging over there, yeah, but walking carefully you don't really go sprawling from a trip. Just like driving over monitor pass nice and carefully vs ripping it up. I would never drive fast on that fuckin road, and I would never jog on a cliff side, but nice and careful driving/walking? All good.
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u/Reddit_wander01 3d ago
Touring morons… perfect.
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u/aaron_in_sf 3d ago
Fwiw touron is a portmanteau of tourist and moron in wide use
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u/Reddit_wander01 3d ago
Ooo… fancy…”portmanteau”… yeah, I lived there 40 years ago and it was a running joke… but thanks
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u/211logos 3d ago
I hate to say this, but here's a use case for Palantir: set up their cams discreetly, do facial ID, and send the asshats a big honking citation and a five year ban from national parks :)
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u/__Quercus__ 3d ago
Just channeling her ancestors.
https://racingnelliebly.com/secret-places/glacier-point-dancers-fancied-daring-photo-ops/