Zion National Park deaths.

[Mendocino]

I was in Zion a few weeks back. While we were there, two men both 23, drowned while trying to raft down the Virgin River on a log raft. Being spring the water was high, cold and muddy. Their bodies were recovered on a Monday.

On Tuesday a 60-ish women fell off the Angels Landing Trail from about 1000 feet. The park service started looking for untended vehicles and checking with hoteliers as she had no identification.

My sympathies to the families.

[petronius]

1. Really sad - that's such a beautiful place, but there are dangers

IIRC, there were plenty of notices warning that the river really isn't a swimming place...

[Mendocino]

6. It's amazing or should I say shocking

how some people seem to lose all sense when they're outdoors. I've seen people feed grizzlies or try to pet buffalo. In the Grand Canyon, setting out a long hike wearing flip-flops, no hat and carrying a single soda. A geyser bather in Yellowstone, a kid doing handstands on a cliff edge. I guess railings and warning signs are put up just to be ignored.

[Bucky]

2. Nature

eom

[XemaSab]

3. Bummer

There's a terrific book called "Death in Yosemite" about all the people who have died in the park. I believe there is a similar book for the Grand Canyon.

The most profound lesson from "Death in Yosemite": if you're hiking up to the top of the waterfalls and you're all hot and sweaty, going for a swim in the lovely river is ILL ADVISED.

[Drunken Irishman]

4. I've lived in Utah my whole life and have yet to go.

How sad is that?

[Common Sense Party]

5. We just went for the first time on Spring Break. It was lovely...

...but I still like Arches better.

[livetohike]

7. Sad...Angels Landing Trail is one of my favorite all time hikes

The National Parks are so special, but many people who visit aren't used to being out in the wild and being cautious of what they're doing. I've seen so many examples over the years of people taking risks, or just being unaware of the dangers.

[Mendocino]

8. Have you ever done the Knife Edge Trail

on Katahdin?