While it may seem a bit cold...
Death is a part of Life.
The risk of falling/drowning/etc/etc and dying at home/work/commuting/etc is far greater than the statistics quoted. I say, live life to the fullest without fear of any part of that life. I enjoy watching people do the things I am physically unable to do. Live life without fear of the end.
Yes, there in inherent danger in our National Parks. The problem is not the park, however, it is the attitude of the visitors and Yosemite is a prime example. We stopped to visit Bridal Veil Falls and at the base of the falls there is a sign saying "DO NOT CLIMB ON THE ROCKS." Guess what a large number of people were doing??
It is always sad to have an accidental death but it is reality.
But Doug is right; there are those who, for some reason, the rules / guidelines don't apply to them. We spend a lot of time in National Parks and other places of nature. We see it all the time. If you say anything to people like that they either ignore you or tell you - sometimes not very politely - to mind your own business. They want to get the picture of their kids or friends climbing rocks or hanging over edges, etc. People will be people. And when there is an accident the first person called is a lawyer.
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The last article I read about the deaths at Yosemite, it was people doing things they should not have been doing. When you mess with the bull, you get the horns.
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They actually closed an area in the Wichita Moutain Wildlife Refuge of SW Oklahoma (by Lawton)the other day to hikers and rock climbers due to an increase of incidents. The very pretty area known as Charons Gardens is popular for rock climbing and hikers, but the extreme Oklahoma heat wave is causing numerous rescues by park personnel. I believe this is the first time an area has been temporarily closed for this reason.
In defense of some of the victims, the water this year is far more powerful than it seems (and much higher than most other years). Even "calm" streams are flowing furiously. We just got back from two weeks in the Sierra, doing fairly strenuous back-country day-hiking (not back-packing) -- and on several trails, we had to turn back because the stream crossings were too dangerous. In a few cases, we were able to cross with care. But we are experienced hikers with trekking poles. A "newbie" may not realize the danger. (Of course, anyone who disregards a posted warning sign is simply foolish.)
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valhalla360 wrote: How many people die at Disney World each year (they do a real good job keeping it out of the news)? I bet it's more than 14, so should we lable disney as dangerous?
Interesting thought.
So, I checked. Came up with 22 deaths since 1992. 12 were due to heart problems or stroke--mostly pre-existing conditions. One suicide.
Only nine were due to injuries. Out of the 9, five were employees. That's in 19 years.
Yep, actually drove to all of these places---in the last eight years. Missed Rhode Island and New Jersey.
valhalla360 wrote: How many people die at Disney World each year (they do a real good job keeping it out of the news)? I bet it's more than 14, so should we lable disney as dangerous?
Interesting thought.
So, I checked. Came up with 22 deaths since 1992. 12 were due to heart problems or stroke--mostly pre-existing conditions. One suicide.
Only nine were due to injuries. Out of the 9, five were employees. That's in 19 years.
But who produced those numbers? I've heard stories about how they go out of their way to avoid negative news. If they ship someone out to the local hospital, do they count those folks? Just the shear number of senior citizens suggests those number are low.
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But who produced those numbers? I've heard stories about how they go out of their way to avoid negative news. If they ship someone out to the local hospital, do they count those folks? Just the shear number of senior citizens suggests those number are low.
I produced those numbers. Most of the non-injury deaths ocured at the hospital.
If you want to do some research and post your numbers---feel free.
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