California woman dies in Zion National Park fall

[Writer]

http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_13026967

We were in Zion a week ago, and my husband and I started up Angels Landing. It's an extremely jarring climb for those who are afraid of heights, and I had to turn back before we reached Refrigerator Canyon, which is about at the mid-point. My husband continued, and he made it up to Scout's Landing then about half-way up the same ridge from which this poor woman fell. He's not bad with heights, but he said the vertigo he felt while up there got to him. There are chains alongside the peak, but he was scrambling on his hands and knees to get back down to Scout's Landing.

I feel so awful for this poor woman's family, and to be honest, I do not understand why the Parks service allows unescorted hikes up the ridge of Angels Landing. The hike itself up the canyon wall is itself extremely jarring - sheer drops from a trail that's only 2 feet wide! I'm an avid hiker, and my policy is always that if you stop having fun, then it's not a hike - it's torture.

[livetohike]

1. I've been there a few times

and yes, scrambling on my hands and knees too. I feel sorry for the woman and her family. It's an extremely tough go even if you are experienced.

[stray cat]

2. I hate to see its use restricted but warnings should be posted if they are not

particularly a warning about vertigo. People think marked trails are safe. It is a sad tragedy - I doubt she was aware of the risks until it was too late.

[teranchala]

3. It's a shame the lady expired but what's the solution? I wonder if she would have said

it is to ban hikers from some/most/all dangerous trails. How many laws against risky behavior do we need to stop accidents?
:shrug:

[Alameda]

4. Ewww.....poor woman. I really get vertigo in much less than that.

I'm amazed there are not more safety aids there.

[devilgrrl]

5. I did Angels Landing and loved it.

Yes, it's quite the climb, 1800 feet and there's a sketchy spot near the top. One of the people we were with was afraid of heights and I helped him up and down. I loved Angels Landing and hope to do it again the summer. :shrug:

[tularetom]

6. I've hiked Half Dome in Yosemite several times

The last time at age 65. I won't be doing it again. It was torture mainly because my arthritic knees couldn't take the stress.

Also, the last phase of the climb - the cable assisted part - bothered me more than before.

The biggest problem is not knowing your limitations. I overestimated my fitness that time.

[wtmusic]

7. Many hikes where you can die if you're not careful.

At the top of Nevada Falls in Yosemite, there's a sign by the edge of the Merced River (which at that point is very enticing) which says, "If you fall in the water you will die." And it's true - twenty feet later is a 700 foot drop. Yet every year there are fatalities.

The raw beauty of landscapes like that would be diminished if there had to be someone there holding your hand. IMO.

[AntiFascist]

8. I remember hiking on that when it was icy...

the chain is on the inside wall with nothing separating you from the cliff!