Yosemite deaths: Americans may have lost respect for nature's risks

[XemaSab]

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK – Just three weeks after death laid a heavy hand on the Merced River, sweeping three tourists to their deaths over Vernal Fall, life went on for a new crop of visitors, some of them oblivious to the danger before them.

On Wednesday, children waded in a small eddy just 50 yards from the edge. Some playfully teetered on a log that separated the eddy from the river's torrent. Upstream, a man swam across Emerald Pool and back, crossing the Merced River current and ignoring warnings and prohibitions posted nearby.

It was just another summer day at Yosemite, one of many natural wonders in California that routinely tempt people to toy with danger.

The park has seen 14 deaths this year. That is about double the average for the season, but not record-setting.



Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/08/13/3835136/yosemite-deaths-americans-may.html#ixzz1V8HfI0LA

[TwilightGardener]

1. How many people ever really encounter nature, anymore?

Once in a while on a trip to a national park? Dad took you fishing or camping once?

[Kennah]

6. In the US or worldwide?

Here in the US, not that many, yet.

Worldwide, probably billions.

[TwilightGardener]

8. US. My neighbors never go outside. Never. They run from the garage to

their car and back again. I know many, many people like that, in fact. Their interactions with nature are limited to shoveling, mowing and spraying Round Up. They "hike" on golf courses.

[Kennah]

9. They are going to shit themselves if a major disaster ever takes out power for a week or three

[surforegon]

10. My neighbors too...

Only time they are outside is from the door to the car and back.
Creepy. Even their yard hasn't seen them in months.
They are Witnesses and are much too busy for anything like nature.

[MineralMan]

2. Only some Americans.

Most keep well back.

[Drale]

3. At Smoky Mountains national park

on the Abrams falls trail, there are signs everywhere that many people have drowned swimming in the pool at the bottom of the falls, yet every time I go there, they're are people swimming in the pool. You can't fix stupid, which is one of the reasons the Darwin awards were created.

[virgogal]

5. They aren't stupid,they are just made that way. They enjoy taking

risks.

[pinto]

4. Especially with the big runoff from the Sierra this year, Yosemite poses some exceptional hazards.

Sad to see so many avoidable deaths. Other than posting clear warnings (i.e. Rapid Current!) at waters' edge, don't see what the Park Service can do. :shrug:

[wtmusic]

11. By August the water isn't that fast.

I was there the week after this happened - locals are just shaking their heads.

The signs are even more explicit: "Danger. If You Slip and Fall In the Water, You Will Die."

What more can you do?

:crazy:

[OKIsItJustMe]

7. I'm afraid many are simply ignorant of nature

Which is sillier? The photographer or the videographer?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRXXDY4NZD0