Posted on 08/24/2011 6:46:24 AM PDT by socal_parrot
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Yosemite National Park officials are trying to determine why a man fell to his death while climbing Half Dome Monday evening.
Park officials tell Action News, search and rescue crews recovered the body of an unidentified man Tuesday morning at the base of the popular dome.
(Excerpt) Read more at abclocal.go.com ...
I believe this is the 3rd Half Dome death this year. This is the first year they are controlling everyday access to the cables on Half Dome, requiring a permit. I think this shows limiting the amount of hikers to make it safer hasn’t worked and the only people benefiting from that program are the folks scalping the permits.
I’ve never understood this type of thrill-seeker personality. To each his own, but to me it’s such an artificial way to get a thrill. Same as skydiving. Like I said, to each his own, but I prefer the thrill of activities that also have a substantive, productive purpose. I look at unnecessary risk as a jinx.
That's IT!
Time to close Yosemite. Aside from the fiscal savings of staff, maintenance and recovery efforts, if it saves just ONE life......
Officials suspect that a mysterious force causing acceleration of 32 feet per second, per second which has been known to affect climbers on the rock face, may have been the cause.
Gravity?
Gravity?.....................
gmta!.....................
There is nothing artificial about it it is all too real
Spock: I have been monitoring your progress.
Kirk: I'm flattered. Twelve hundred points of interest in Yosemite and you picked me.
“Yosemite National Park officials are trying to determine why a man fell to his death while climbing Half Dome Monday evening.”
Gravity! :>)
I have 2 friends from high school who climbed the FACE of Half Dome back in the 1950s. It took 2 days, as I remember, and they slept in rope slings on the face of the dome over night. They are both still alive today.
Once you start rolling, there's no stopping.
Prayers for the hiker and his family.
It just seems like creating danger to get a thrill. Real danger is a rush. Manufactured danger seems a little weird to me, but some people live for it. If they have kids, it’s pretty selfish. Necessary risk is one thing. Thrill-seeking is asking for trouble.
While gravity was involved, I suspect weakness accompanied by fear precipitated a release. Once the ability to control gravity was lost, descent was inevitable
At one point in my misspent youth, my job required jumping out of planes and helicopters, technical climbing, repelling of all sorts of things, playing with explosives and dangerous animals (like other paratroopers...)
I was not thrill seeking. It was my job.
(Well, ok, the bunji jumping off bridges was thrill seeking.)
More info here...
http://articles.sfgate.com/2010-02-10/bay-area/17872574_1_half-dome-cables-yosemite-national-park
I’ve pondered getting our Scout troop to make the attempt. I’ve seen pics of other Scouts making the ascent with harnesses on. Seems like that’s the only way I’d attempt it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.