LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Worth a Thousand Words but NOT Your Life

Waterfalls abound in our county.  Some are viewed only after a rigorous hike.  There are a few that do not require any hiking at all.  One of those is Looking Glass Falls.  Easily accessible from a parking area, it is one of the most visited waterfalls in the county.

It should seem so obvious that waterfalls are dangerous.  The rocks above the falls are quite slick and often mossy and the current is swift above the falls.  There are signs and fences near all of the falls warning people NOT to climb near the top of the falls.  Every year people die after disregarding the signs.

A local newpaper columnist happened to be visiting Looking Glass Falls last week and took the following photograph.  The man in this photograph is in an extrememly dangerous area.  In order to arrive there he has had to climb over two fences and pass by numerous warning signs.  Yet there he stands.  To take a photograph.  One slip, one misguided step on the wet slippery surface and he will be over the falls to the rocks below.


Photograph by Linda Young of the Transylvania Times



 This is a photograph of the entire waterfall.  The drop from the top to the collecting pool below is sixty feet.  In fact, I took the photograph from the parking area...it's that near the road.



Several people have died or were serious injured at Looking Glass Falls.  Often youthful daring and alcohol are involved.  Yet this man is not young and did not appear to be drinking.  He simply wanted a particular view for his picture.  He escaped that day without injury.  He likely has no idea how stupid and careless he had been.  I hope he thinks the photograph was worth risking his life.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is incredible to see people taking such risks and endangering themselves. Yet, they do it all the time from coast to coast. Survival is an intelligence test.

Jen said...

You always see crazy things on the trails. I've done some crazy things on trails, but climbing onto slippery rocks overlooking churning waterfalls is NOT one of them. Yikes!

The pictures of the falls are
pretty, though :)

Jen

Betsy Banks Adams said...

STUPID..... We have seen so many people put their lives in danger just to get closer to a waterfall. The worst ones are in summer ---and they are TEENS.... I don't think that parents have a clue what their kids are doing in summer --when they play around waterfalls... Scares me to death!!!!

YES---getting good pictures is wonderful---but not if you lose your life... GADS!
Hugs,
Betsy

SouthernSass said...

I look forward to coming up to that area to photograph some of the falls, but would NEVER try what that guy did. And personally, I cannot imagine him having a good view from that vantage point. Some folks....

Hendersonville Epicurean said...

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I'm a local blogger who's helping with a citizen-based news/info website based in Hendersonville and we're looking for people who might be interested in contributing.

The Beta site is https://hvllive.com

Interested? My email address is 1reachme@gmail.com. Hope to hear from you!

Taradharma said...

in our neck of the woods, so to speak, it's cliffs overlooking the ocean. Fences, warning signs, scattered old memorials to the, literally, fallen have no effect on idiots. I see them climb over the railing on a regular basis to get a look over the edge. This is nature's way of keeping the gene pool strong.

KGMom said...

We have a place near where we live--it is a cliff overlooking the Susquehanna River. Not a year goes by without a report of either an injury or death with a young person (yes, always young) who climbs the cliffs and slips and falls. And alcohol is most always involved.
I completely agree--not worth your life.

Vicki Lane said...

Picture of an idiot...

Barb said...

I love that your tag says "stupid" Carolyn! I'll have to see what else is filed there... Same goes for people taking photos of wildlife. Some get WAY to close for comfort.

George said...

Even I pay attention to the fences and signs when photographing waterfalls. They can be gorgeous, but they are also dangerous.

Pat said...

The falls are beautiful.
I'm afraid of heights so you won't find me doing that.

Karin said...

Hubby likes watching AFV which shows many cute videos, but also an unbelievable # of videos showing off people's not only high risk, but 'stupid' behavior. I don't find that the least bit funny! I totally agree with your excellent post. Amazing how we don't heed warnings - always thinking we know best!

Dawn Fine said...

Yikes...you wouldnt catch me near the edge..too slippery.
Some people are just plain stupid.
Beautiful falls.

Nellie from Beyond My Garden said...

People have such tunnel vision only thinking about their own wants, not paying attention to the world around them. This is a good lesson for more than waterfall watchers.

Anonymous said...

I visited this waterfall twice in the past month and just can't believe this guy! So many people die or get injured not just on waterfalls but hiking in our area - they don't realize the danger of going off the trails!

KB said...

I think that many people think "it can't happen to me"... until it does. I'm glad that the man came away from it ok.

Jayne said...

Amazing the risks people will take, either knowingly, or just being stupid. No, I don't think any photo is worth risking your life to get.

Courtney at SL's No Ennui said...

And he probably could have found the same photo perspective on a postcard!

kks said...

some people just don't have any common sense....
xoxo

troutbirder said...

Oh yes I've seen these crazies doing the same thing on our North Shore (Lake Superior) Even worse allowing young children to run loose on slippery rocks overlooking fall and gorges. Grrr..

Busy Bee Suz said...

Goodness.
I value my life too much.

Jill said...

It never fails. There is always someone that wants to hop over the fence. Usually wearing tennis shoes or high heals. Survival of the fittest.