Posted on 02/07/2018 10:47:10 AM PST by nickcarraway
A 13-year-old girl fell to her death from a popular narrow trail bordered by steep drops at Zion National Park, officials said Tuesday.
The Utah girl was hiking with family when she tumbled from the Angel's Landing Trail on Monday evening, park ranger John Marciano said. She was quickly discovered by hikers on the West Rim Trail below.
Angel's Landing was closed Tuesday morning to investigate the fall from the path that ascends some 1,500 feet (457 meters) above the southern Utah park's red-rock cliffs. There has been about one death each of the last two
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So how long will it be now before the safety police going to shut down Angels Landing?
It looks like some of the trail boarders an edge where you hold onto a chain in order to cross a rocky surface. If you somehow let go of the chain then you are likely a goner.
For an interesting read on the subject, check out Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon by Michael P. Ghiglieri. Over 700 deaths recounted in the book.
Would not be surprised. I hiked that trail in my 20s but it requires a lot of concentration and respect for its dangers. Anything that detracts from the effort to hang on and move carefully would be extremely risky and foolish to indulge. Given the fad of documenting everything on the internet, I suspect you are right.
It was reported her parents let her turn back down the trail on her own
So she died alone
I hope their view at the top was worth it
Darwin and Murphy’s Law in places like this. Nature is merciless.
So very sad. We heard of a two year old that fell into the Grand Canyon.
And selfies are killing many.
I hiked that trail when I lived in St.George. It’s HIGH.
I was dating a guy who suggested we go on a picnic and hike through the park. But his idea was to go out on the rock to have our picnic. I admit the scenery was beautiful, but I only made it about a quarter of the way out before I said, “That’s far enough for me”.
But there were other people on the rock including a family with very little kids including a toddler who were walking around right on the edge.
I told my date it was time to leave. I was so nervous just seeing that, it was making me sick to my stomach.
I can see the view would be nice for a picnic, but that’s a hard surface.
Spectacular views, as you can see from the photos, but as you can also see, that trail is not for the faint of heart. Still, I saw some people going up there that I was sure were going to die of a heart attack or exhaustion, they were so bloated and out of shape.
So sad.
I think that many people see the wilderness areas as big playgrounds.
They definitely are not safe spaces and folks should research about activities that they plan to undertake. Visit the Ranger station etc. I wanted to hike and signed to go with the Mazamas. Learned a lot. Older mountaineers that lead walking hikes for the public.
Depends on the maturity of the child. Did this family just decide to take a hike? Was she goofing around and fell on the trail or a serious hiker that took a misstep and fell?
We took a recently adopted stray black Lab with us on our trip in 2016. Our first time to the Canyon. It was great. The Lab, Ben, would not let me get anywhere near the edge. He would cut between me and the canyon and block me. He wouldn’t allow me to get within like 10 feet of it. He was on a leash, but it was unnecessary. I guess he probably thinks I owe him for saving my life.
Zion Park has done all they can, short of closing the trail, to ensure hiker survival. After that, it’s a matter of statistical odds.
Not just no but HELL NO!
This country boy stays on level ground.
I was about to say the same thing. I get dizzy just looking at those pictures. I have a horrible fear of heights even in an enclosed building. First time we went to the World Trade Center ,I had to stand way back from the windows.
Not really. The teens have better balance than the adults. We took our scout troop to Angels Landing in 2009 and had no problems.
It is terrifying to be sure. But as the other posters said there was something else at play like a selfie, posing for a picture, running rather than walking. Also, at the very top the landing is fairly wide and long but most of it is not flat. If a child decides to explore the landing I can envision a slip on a tiny pebble, 30 feet of sliding, and then the long fall.
If you were working on that trail, OSHA rules would require that you be tied off. I’ve been to Zion a dozen times. I’ve never had a desire to take that trail.
Same here. Love the scenery in the southern end of our state. If I wanted to hang on a thousand foot cliff, there are plenty within a half hour of home in Cottonwood Heights. I’m too old for technical climbing, but my son is getting very good at it. At work, his office is at 11,000 feet on Hidden Peak (Snowbird lift).
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