Stone arch collapses in southern Utah park

[Flaxbee]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26123410/

Wall Arch fell sometime last week, though no one reported seeing it fall
The Associated Press
updated 12:22 p.m. ET, Sun., Aug. 10, 2008

ARCHES NATIONAL PARK, Utah - One of the largest and most photographed stone arches in Arches National Park has collapsed.

Wall Arch fell sometime early last week, though no one has reported seeing it collapse, said Paul Henderson, the park's chief of interpretation.

He said the arch, located along the popular Devils Garden Trail, was claimed by forces that will eventually destroy other arches in the park: gravity and erosion.

"They all let go after a while," he said Friday. Nevertheless, it was the first collapse of a major arch in the park since nearby Landscape Arch fell in 1991.

For years, Wall Arch had been a favorite stopping point for photographers. Like others, it was formed by entrada sandstone being whittled over time into its distinctive formation.

[mokawanis]

1. Arches is such a cool place

Would have been something to see it fall. For a great book about Arches check out Edward Abbey's "Desert Solitaire".

[Flaxbee]

2. thanks! I'll check that book out ---

I also just ordered The Anthropology of Turquoise by Ellen Meloy - a review said: “ crafts potent meditations on the desert landscape. . . . The Anthropology of Turquoise explores Meloy’s beloved Southwest—a region she knows intimately and describes with her trademark sharp wit.”


A friend of mine has dogs named Eddy and Abbey - she didn't realize what she'd done until her brother pointed it out to her (though she's a fan of Abbey's books). :D

[mokawanis]

7. Thanks for the tip

Meloy's book sounds good and I'm going to check amazon and ebay.


A few years we passed by Arches and backpacked in a canyon in southern Utah that had a lot of Anassazzi ruins, dating back about 1,000 years. Awesome place,I love Utah desert/canyons.

[arcadian]

3. It was in the vicinity of the more well known Landscape arch

[RetroLounge]

4. Unfortunately, these will last forever

RL

[LiberalEsto]

5. Is there a podiatrist in the house?

We need someone who can fix -- bada bing -- fallen arches.

:hide:

[begin_within]

6. That danged Dean Potter again.

First he climbs Delicate Arch against park regulations. Now this.

[Taverner]

8. Change happens

Live with it