Sometimes beautiful things are deadly. We can't bubble-wrap nature, and we're going to have to stop trying at some point. It's incredibly ironic that, in the larger picture, nature is getting progressively more deadly (due to human-influenced climate change) just as humans are at their weakest and most foolish.
27
It’s a good thing Cole, Durand and Church and other great painters did not share this narcissistic idiocy. They did their outside air painting in safe locations then went back to the studios to finish the work. These people are a bunch of maroons.
21
Sam Patch, the first recorded "Yankee Daredevil" was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. He worked in the mills from childhood, and by his early 20s was famous for jumping from great heights. He first came to wide notice in 1827 after jumping 70' off of the Passaic Falls in New Jersey.
Patch claimed that his jumps were to demonstrate that "somebody besides other folks can do something. He was dismissed as an illiterate, after his jump in Patterson, as "a hairbrained fellow" [sic.] and by an Albany paper "a half crazed fellow."
Then he jumped off a diving platform below Niagara Falls and repeated the feat on July 4, 1828, into American celebrity.
It was presumed he was a fan of President Andrew Jackson, also widely viewed as reckless, illiterate and half-sane.
He then went to Rochester arranging to dive from an even greater height into the Genesee River where the new bridge stood over the Eerie Canal, and just beyond that the 100 foot drop of Genesee falls and the gorge below it. He had a long draft off a bottle of rum shortly after surfacing. He was never seen alive again after his second jump. His body was later discovered frozen under the ice in the Genesee waters.
Sam Patch never made it to Kaaterskill Falls. Getting drunk, jumping off precipices of great height, and emerging unscathed from the water below, demonstrated that a daredevil like Sam could garner as much attention as Daniel Webster. If he was around today, he'd show up with his iPhone.
13
The falls are beautiful. They attracted the Hudson River School painters. As far as I know, none died while lugging their art supplies back and forth for days if not weeks. What the public got are some beautiful paintings of the time where the falls and the mountains are lovingly depicted as soulful and peaceful. Which they were ... except for the clear cutting for lumber nearby.
Point being, it's understandable why we're so attracted to these special places. I imagine most of the visitors back then were a more serious lot but really, really loved the natural beauty nonetheless. So much so, that it's to their legacy that we owe our environmental awareness. It'd be great if we could be that sensitive to the awesomeness of it all and respect the Catskills again.
6
It sounds as if NYS DEP is being pragmatic in making the changes describes for safety to a spot which is being overwhelmed with visitors. Steps replacing a steep trail is safer, and also will reduce erosion,
There are some issues to consider beyond human safety - in doing too much to areas that are supposed to be protected: creating paved trails and parking lots can lead to more rapid spread of invasive plant species ( open disrupted areas are perfect environment for stuff like kudzu and black swallow wort, not to mention European bittersweet, and and plain old poison ivy. They can disrupt native species). This also changes the micro climate, with the pavement absorbing and holding more heat.
It isn't all about us.
14
I would suggest these adventurous types take up skydiving, it weeds out the incompetent pretty quickly. When I was a active jumper I witnessed a few who had no business skydiving lose their lives.
8
Ok. So when I was younger, my dad and grandparents took my sister and I to Yosemite. One of the days we were there, we went on a hike to the top of a waterfall and went swimming around in the river there. I strayed a bit towards the edge of the falls, and our guide warned me away, telling me that people have slipped or jumped off that waterfall and died, and I shouldn’t get to close. I have a lot of anxiety and a vivid imagination, so obviously the thought terrified me. I can never understand why people would want to stand on the edge, to risk their lives just for a photo or for a film or for the thrill of it.
However, I don’t think this is a new thing. This has been going on way before instagram or the internet. The internet may have increased awareness of the Kaaterskill falls and the amount of people coming to visit it as a result, but it is not solely to blame for the deaths at the falls. Before the internet there were newspapers, and before Instagram there were photo albums. You said so yourself, “There is always going to be someone that’s going to try to be more daring and go out, beyond where the stairs are, or say, ‘Hey, look at me—look what I can do”. The best thing to do, like you said, is, rather than focus on the internet, to put safety measures in place to prevent more deaths.
3
I am overjoyed to learn so many people are visiting Breakneck Ridge and Kaaterskill Falls, beautiful sites that hold their own against more famous international hiking destinations. Taxpayer dollars go to maintaining the state parks and as many taxpayers as possible should enjoy them. I am always saddened when I go on a hike in the Hudson Highlands and hardly anyone is on the trail. Hiking isn't always safe; neither is football or driving a car. But hiking is made more safe if sufficient people are using the trails to protect against intruders, human or animal. As far as I am concerned, the more the merrier and if 21st century sensibilities require the addressing of safety concerns in a way that 20th century sensibilities did not, that's fine too.
5
@slbklynYour comment "Hiking isn't always safe; neither is football or driving a car"--is not a good one. Many 1st responders and their families are put at risk when a 'sightseer' is in trouble--keep off and out of the places where one can get in trouble, hurt or worse. If you don't feel safe driving, then stop.
9
@slbklyn
"The more the merrier"...nope. It's called loving a place to death. I've seen here in Colorado; I've seen it diving around the world. The wild places cannot take all the visitors, all the disruption, all the impact. Denali has it right - limit auto access.
25
Interesting conversation. We need to strive to add more safety features every year as the budget permits. We need to strive to educate children to be safe and stay alive! We need to fine people to encourage safe behavior and avoid requiring rescue services!! It has been written let it be so!
2
To all the people posting heartless comments about stupidity, natural selection, etc. - may you be lucky enough to never know the pain of losing a loved one to an accident.
9
@Amy Don't feed the trolls. If you respond to them, they'll continue to antagonize you. Witness people like Alex Jones. Some people live on the misfortune of others.
4
@Amy
there are accidents and then there are deaths resulting from doing something that is clearly dangerous. There is a difference.
14
The price of fame? Survival of the fittest? It's amazing to me that the drive to get the best selfie includes needlessly risking your life. Are we really that shallow? Sadly, it appears to be so.
22
@Lisa Kelly....Exactly.
6
The future Sun surfers who glide in the waves on Stars will read about this in History Data Chips and then go dare their trip to be as dangerous. Humans seek the edge of the things around them. I have been near dire happenings while out in the world, Rock Jumping was a past time of mine from 10 years old till well, today, But I learned a few solid lessons.
Once I came to a stop on what was my own planned Stop Rock. I had been running down hill jumping rock to rock in Wyoming, at Vedauwoo state park. I had gained so much speed that the last stop took all of the rock space to slow down, I literally had To stomp my last step and grind to a halt.
I waved to my onlookers below and then looked down to find my next path way.
It was about 200 feet below me.
Those waves of hello, and cheering were of fear and praying, They could see what I couldn't and I knew what they didn't. But my Girlfriend at the time made me stop doing that while I knew her. She'd look at me looking at rock walls, and tell me not to try to climb them. Laughs.
Be careful out there. and have fun.
1
Some comments have noted the writing incised in the rocks at the top of the falls and found it deplorable. I actually found the writing fascinating when I hiked to the top some years ago. I think the earliest inscription was from 1810 and there were many inscriptions from the 1800s. The handwriting was old-fashioned. Someone had drawn a Buffalo head nickel. There was a contemporary portrait of Lincoln. It was amazing to see 200 years of graffiti.
The site was beautiful and I don't think my little hiking group encountered anyone else that day.
4
I've spent many summers fighting fires in the mountains all across the Northwest. When hiking in the mountains for pleasure, it always amazes me how many people ignore warning signs; as if they are placed there solely for others' benefit, and they are just too darn smart to need to take notice. Then, of course, there are the other people who get far too close to the edge to be sensible, slip, fall, and then later complain of there being no sign. Seriously, there are people hiking the mountain trials who do not know that wet rocks and roots are slippery and not all rocks and roots are secure. And what about the numbskulls who stand beneath the waterfall for yet another selfie? You do know that millions of tons of hurtling water can dislodge a rock big enough to make you literally senseless the rest of your life, right?
And as hiking becomes more popular, overtaking yoga, I've heard, these fools with ruin the experience for everyone, because places will be sign-posted, safety fences will be installed, and trails will be metalled. Show respect for the land upon which you stand and let others enjoy it unfettered in the future.
21
Been there years ago. It was amazing.
1
Similar numbers of people have died in similarly careless ways at Palouse Falls in Eastern Washington. The thirst for selfie likes is powerful...
https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article210825634.html
7
@Chris powerful and sad. To lose your life for nothing... what a tragedy.
3
I find it ironic that the article chastises people for taking their Instagram photos, while somebody clearly flew drones around and above the falls to capture the video for the article. The article quotes someone saying, "Yeah, we saw this on the internet - we're trying to find it." Well, gee, I just saw this amazing drone footage on the NYT website! From angles that I'll never be able to achieve in person! Using the article's logic, won't this footage just inspire people to take more risks? lol.
But on a more serious note.... If we want people to care about nature (and fewer and fewer people now grow up surrounded by nature), then we need to provide access so that people can experience it. If they experience it, then maybe they will vote for legislators who want to preserve it. There are more remote places that do not attract large crowds. I recommend Blue Ledges in the Adirondacks. It's a long drive and a long hike. My mentioning it here is not gonna flood it with tourists. But places like Kaaterskill Falls are a wonderful showcase for what New York state has to offer. Let's make it safe and accessible.
3
Been here several times. Before the staircase and other safety features. One of the reasons this area is so treacherous is the iron rich sandstone and shale. It comes apart very easily and when wet turns into a very slick claylike substance that coats everything and lubricates anything it touches. Like the bottom of your shoes. The Darwin commenters are just being mean and insensitive. Bottom line is that the area is naturally quite dangerous and the added safety features are essential.
21
Selective pressure should be permitted to resolve this problem.
1
It is actually already illegal to swim in these streams. NYS Department of Health has been complicity silent on this matter. Falls are part of the health risks, biohazards like ecoli, giardia, and toxic algae blooms are prevalent, silent health risks. Most folks go home after a weekend here in the country, just about the time these illnesses show themselves. Visitors don't associate their diarrhea, eye infections, asthma attacks, and rashes with the water they swam in.
Strategically planned and well enforced parking restrictions will greatly reduce misuse of this natural resource and loss of life.
Folks who can mange to get to "The Falls" in flip-flops have been able to park too close for safety. Safe use of these places does not include high intensity recreational use.
Greene County and The Kaaterskill Clove is uniquely underserved in environmental protection. Focus has been on economic development at the cost of irreplaceable beauty, human life, and environmental services. Environmental justice is lacking in this the state's 4th poorest county.
One would never pull over to the side of the road at Jones Beach and drag a keg and grill across the dunes to party on the ocean. Eco-officers would tackle folks before they could crush fragile habitat and stomp Piping Plover eggs. Here folks are issued a ticket. (Yawn.)
In The Katterskill Clove New York State is currently failing to meet The Catskill Park State Land Management Plan who's #1 goal is protection of habitat.
25
Instead of just posting warnings, the signs should show reality. Signs should say going off trail is deadly, X people have died last year. Also fine rescue operations. In Arizona, people are fined for ignoring flood warning signs, then floating away on a monsoon flooded road.
15
@Jane Miller I agree. We just visited Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach in Iceland, which is known for its dangerous sneaker waves. There was a very effective warning posted about the circumstances of the latest fatality. It was in the forefront of my mind the entire time we were there.
9
Perhaps there should be a "No Cameras Beyond this Point" law?
I suspect many people simply would not go, if they knew they could not take pictures of themselves standing in front of whatever the latest media fueled bucket-list attraction happens to be.
11
Just seeing all the names carved into stone tells me plenty. Too many people don't understand that nature is not civilization. If it were, there would be no joy in going there.
Our society needs to educate kids about wildness, with its allure and its dangers.
15
Should there be at least a small bit of time in public schools devoted to the dangers of "the great outdoors"? People who grow up playing video games, watching television unreality shows and staring down at smartphones have no idea what they are in for when they go into truly wild places. Ignorance kills, again and again.
This issue should get more coverage generally, especially in the summertime when people leave their houses and apartments seeking adventures. Dozens of people find themselves trapped on the top of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, a climb that is open to unskilled and untrained climbers. Park rangers have reported that some want to be rescued by helicopter using their privileges under an American Express card.
I witnessed tourists trying to approach a moose in Yellowstone, even though people are told again and again not to go near wild animals. At Big Bend National Park in far southwest Texas, I overhead a woman saying that a mountain lion she had seen did not run away when she got close to it. The Park Ranger listening was aghast.
Okay, then there are the photos that, these days, seem to be the underlying purpose behind traveling. Tourists from around the world in Barcelona, like many European and American cities, run to various sites, stand in front of monuments, snap, snap, snap...off we go. Can someone please explain the point of "see me! tourism"?
As city and suburban dwellers, the depth of our ignorance of wild places cannot be measured.
15
if people were to grow up pursuing an outdoor life they might learn the skills (both physical and common-sense) about the great outdoors. Thrilling places like this are dangerous, but can be appreciated with a balance of caution and skill. Nature is beautiful but can be deadly - if you're not paying attention.
4
Making a kinder, gentler nature experience would probably mean turning locations in the wild into city parks, thereby erasing the appeal of the nature experience. In our overwhelmingly urbanized society, many people think that natural areas are simply pretty, and don't reckon with the fact that nature is, well, wild, and should be approached with a degree of caution. Making nature compatible with the abilities of the unperceptive, or physically less capable, will leave us with no truly natural areas to enjoy. There aren't many such areas left now in the lower 48.
8
I know this place. I have visited a number of times over the years. It's a short but rewarding hike from the road. I have seen people doing risky things there almost every time. There are signs that warn at the end of the trail. I think it's wise to make this place safe and accessible because the demand warrants it, despite the desire of many who would rather see it less developed.
1
Neither the Park Service, nor State or Federal government, are insurers against outdoor risks, period.
Post notices (repeatedly and in clear graphic presentation- yes body parts & dead folk).
I have spent much, much time on trails and paths less traveled. Even having found dead folk in the woods - a sobering experience.
What part of hiking up the trail (altitude gain including the application of gravity) and stepping; 1) into running water; or 2) onto clearly wet and slippery rocks could a homo sapiens miss?
After that ...
Think of it as "evolution in action."
A nod to the Oath of Fealty,
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Larry_Niven
Oh, if you think me harsh --- Please consider our government $$ spent on rescue, body recovery or ineffective barriers ( you can't fix stupid") versus on our country's social safety net, Medicare, Voting rights, civil rights, Education, etc, etc.
7
This doesn't surprise me. The Catskills have unfortunately become the kind of place that attracts the sort that stand on top of their seats to torture their Instagram followers with photos of their pancakes. Luckily, the area is so vast that one can still find areas and towns that retain their charm and are devoid of the self-consciously stylish. There's a whole world up there beyond Scribners and Phoenicia Diner.
1
kind of irresponsible of NY Times to be featuring commercial drone footage along with the story, don't you think. You are trying to tell people exactly what NOT while showing them the complete opposite. Are your editors asleep at the wheel here or what. Take down the eye candy imagery please--total unnecessary and really irresponsible journalism.
12
You cannot stop people from being stupid.... out here, not only do we have our share of people falling over waterfalls, we have ice caves. They are a short and easy walk from a paved road, so they get a lot of visitors. Though there are multiple signs about the dangers, memorials to the people who've died and fences, people still risk their lives every year (and die) by going in and near them... and then they post photos of themselves doing it on social media...
I have little doubt that every single person who goes into the caves has at least seen the signs and knows that it's dangerous, but their only thought is "it won't happen to me", so they will continue to go past the safe area no matter what the national forest does, short of removing the bridge that crosses the river to the trail - which they have considered. There's even a gate on the bridge that can be locked if the day is deemed especially hazardous, especially in winter when the area also has a high avalanche danger... people simply climb past it, and of course post photos on social media showing that they have.... sigh...
11
@Mystic Spiral A great example - and I know exactly where you're talking about. Signage won't do it.
3
Beautiful place but way too many noisy and annoying people visiting nowadays. Not worthy anymore :-(.
2
"You call someplace paradise, kiss it goodbye."
From The Last Resort by The Eagles from Hotel California
3
Although the Times published this article with the best intentions, it will advance the advertisement of the falls and incite exactly those great heroes who should not be anywhere within 100 miles of the place.
I have hiked and backpacked the Escarpment area repeatedly and extensively over many years. Ironically, mob access and appeal has significantly decreased mindful access to the area both legally and aesthetically. Sometimes the needs of the few outweigh the needs of the many!
It may be inconceivable now, but 40 years ago, I was able to camp overnight in a spot below the falls. A bit noisy, but I didn't see another soul over nearly 12 hours!
6
This video nicely captures the beauty and awe. However, I believe there is a second level, equal in scale, which lies below.
I remember before there was a parking lot and a marked path, discovering these falls for myself. I heard water, and upon finding the stream, crawled, chest on the ground, just far enough to see all the way down. What a surprise that was.
3
In 1972, I hiked up alongside a waterfall with several friends. When we got to the top, one of my friends pointed ahead and told me there was a good view ahead. I went over, sat down, leaned forward, and the loose shale and earth under me broke away and I fell 65 feet. Signs of warning around these kinds of loose shale cliffs might not be a bad idea. It would have alerted me to the danger and others too.
6
If you really value a place don't broadcast it. There is no intrinsic value in broadcasting your image and location to the world beyond ego satisfaction.
It is becoming ever more difficult to protect and maintain our natural places (and the current department of interior is no help.). Many are reaching capacity on human traffic.
Their attraction and allure are their remoteness, ruggedness, and danger. Most experienced outdoor people recognize the inherent dangers and take precautions accordingly. Many inexperienced seekers of adventure fail to consider the dangers and the consequences of lack of skill, attention, preparation, and experience.
Sorry to say, they must assume the risk associated with their behavior. Removing and mitigating all risk diminishes the experience for those that seek responsible contact with the natural world around us.
21
I was a travel editor for several years; when I commissioned and edited the books, we always tried to emphasize that you need to respect the culture and climate (including that of natural wonders and parks), and don't think you can't get hurt (or killed) on vacation.
Our writers would chronicle local/hidden gems, and I always hoped they wouldn't be "spoiled" by being overwhelmed. And this was just at the start of the Instagram era.
Having to chronicle that you've been where everyone ELSE has been isn't the essence of real travel.
One thing that hasn't changed is that while the most popular national and state parks are overcrowded with people who are there for the right and wrong reasons, there are far more natural preserves (national and state parks, forests, and preserves) that have only a small percentage of the visitors that a place like Yosemite gets.
People can still seek THOSE places out and feel as though they are alone in the wonder, and they can choose to share the experience or not, beperceived as an "influencer" or just enjoy the solitude.
3
@Kathleen Warnock
"Our writers would chronicle local/hidden gems, and I always hoped they wouldn't be "spoiled" by being overwhelmed."
So what exactly did you expect would happen ? I hope your writers got a lot of good out of the money you paid them. All our local "hidden gems" have been overrun as well, as a result of these very same types of chirpy "lifestyle" writers.
3
Public needs to be educated to Leave No Trace
6
We need to educate our children so that they grow up to be responsible adults. It's easy to think that some people are just idiots, but if we don't teach our children to be responsible adults, they likely won't be.
4
@Bill This is exactly what I was thinking. We lived near the Kinzua Dam, the Allegheny National Forest, the Allegheny River, the Conewango Creek, and Chautauqua Lake. Now we live four blocks from the Atlantic Ocean. There's beauty and danger everywhere. When the only information children receive is from the internet the children are going to go looking for the adventure. It's time to stop protecting our children for our own benefit and start teaching them how to be adults. With freedom comes a great deal of responsibility.
1
I don't tweet (moronic and pointless), take selfies, instagram, or facebook and almost never take photographs when I travel (60 countries and counting); I have no desire to share the minutiae of my life with anyone (and people in my circle are better off for it). So, why is it that people have a need to document their lives in such excruciating detail; and, worse, why do others wish to see it or follow them . . . I don't get it.
26
I don't get why someone who claims not to tweet or share the minutiae of their life took the time to post that braggy opinion. Wow 60 countries you say?!
10
The state can try, but you can't fix stupid.
10
Stairs are for cowards.
2
They are literally defacing the natural area around the waterfall to protect against the combined effects of incompetent amateurs and the effects of rampant, unregulated use of a social media platform. It's not a waterfall problem, it's a human problem.
Nature belongs to everybody, but it cannot sustain everybody all at once. This many people is an environmental imbalance wherever you are. 1000s of visitors a day? There won't be much to see anymore. The story of this waterfall is becoming the story of pretty much every national park. And then when people get upset because parking isn't safe or someone gets attacked by a bear, we shoot the bear and make more parking spaces instead of telling people to go home.
If all the city dwellers and people at large want more space for their nature retreats, then they better start supporting initiatives for land conservation and national parks. Which means places where people can't build roads or malls or houses or businesses. You can't have what you're destroying.
12
Nice to mention that the new viewing platform and trail to it from the parking lot at Katterskill is wheelchair accessible and fully complies with ADA guidelines. DEC works hard to make and keep these lands open to the public, and the updates to Katterskill are necessary and beneficial to those who want to use it.
Also nice to mention that those who want to visit public lands should be respectful and smart when they're there.
I'm not sure that we need to protect future Darwin Award winners from accomplishing their goal. Individuals have to be responsible for understanding common sense hazards.
We shouldn't feel guilty about not protecting the terminally dumb. They gave us trump for president. There are many dramatic natural features in our world that are obviously dangerous and must be negotiated carefully. Natural selection determines who will be around to enjoy them.
23
This is a problem not at just one waterfall but all over the U.S. and the world.
No picture is worth dying for.
Also, just because you see hordes of tourists taking the same picture over and over, does not mean YOU should.
I am a professional photographer and, once while traveling in Greece, I decided to take pictures of things along a popular tourist path that NO tourist would ever care about. Sure enough, almost every single tourist (all Americans) saw me and then, took the same picture of the same rusted bar, chunk of meaningless stone, dead flower, etc. with their (then) low rez digital camera. Most were rushing like maniacs intent on seeing it all and recording it all as fast as possible.
That is no way to vacation or travel…
5
@Mr. Point
As a fellow pro I must say, that totally cracks me up. I'll admit to doing similar, but probably not on the same scale. Some times I'll just stare intently at nothing, just to see the puzzled look on people's faces when they can't figure out what I am seeing. Sometimes I actually was looking at something, but people tend to get a little miffy when you say "nothing now, you scared it away"
People are a bit like crows - watch them some time. When one crow appears to have found something that might be good to eat, of course all the other crows have to come and look too. We simply have not evolved out of this behavior.
2
beautiful photography!
1
Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park is considered one of the “Most Dangerous Hikes in America” (although I think that’s overblown). Nonetheless, I had people blasting by me, trying to get a shot of the scenery while walking on the knife edged trail. I recall one woman in particular, wearing sneakers, holding her iPad in front of her face to capture the view.
5
A young man just died this week in Oregon doing the same and recently 3 young people died in BC. The fences are there for a reason. Honor them.
2
I wonder if sea elephants enjoy watching us basking on rocks near the water's edge as much as we do them?
I was just at El Matador beach in Malibu. What used to be a hard place to find with a few hippies hanging in the rocks, is now overpopulated with cars overflowing up and down the PCH - with people mugging and pursing their lips for instafame.
3
Ed Abbey is rolling over.
4
8 deaths over 26 years doesnt seem like a lot.
7
Survival of the fittest.
Darwin meant "fittest" to mean the one best suited for the immediate environment.
5
The more accessible falls in Yosemite have lots of warning signs and fences. The harder to reach falls have signs that say something like, "If you go over the falls, you will die." Every year, people do stupid stuff and go over the falls, and they die.
Wet rocks can be unbelievably slippery, folks unfamiliar with that do stupid stuff. There are no do-overs in nature.
5
I just realized something. I'm guessing this aerial footage was shot with a drone. That's probably the most obnoxious device anyone can possibly bring into a natural area. The reporters should be ashamed of themselves. Did you even get permission from all the people featured in this video? That's a huge evasion of privacy. I'd like to see written signatures. Here we are banning speakers in the wilderness. We need to ban drones.
12
Yes who does the nytimes think they are, a newspaper or something? They better have releases like all news outlets get when publishing photos of people in public places...
2
Gravity - It's the Law!
15
how much are taxpayers expected to pay to protect the stupid from themselves? Is this even an appropriate use of taxpayer money?
3
Skimming through the posts I did not read one that espouses the benefits of making the wilderness more accessible. When more people can access nature there is a corresponding increase in calls to conserve the outdoors. From Jaffrey I have access to Mt Monadnock one of the most heavily climbed mountains in the country. And yes there are trails that are overused, but I can still find peace and quiet with a bit more effort. I am ecstatic when watching "green" hikers, both kids and city-slickers get that glint in their eye when they reach the top and can see a 360 view (with Mt. Washington and the Boston skyline on good days). I also cringe when I see bits of micro-trash and people in poor footwear risking injury, but the good generally outweighs the bad. Just don't ask me for my favorite routes up the mountain. ;^)
3
When the earth boils from global warming and civilization has been destroyed, the last H. sap standing will take a selfie.
17
It's a shame and it saddens me a great deal to see places like this turned into "tourist spots". I grew up and spent the first half of my life in upstate New York. There were many little known relatively secluded areas of paradise one could visit to rejuvenate the soul. I'm older now and all I have are memories and now even they are becoming tainted. Nature is for everyone to enjoy but the best should require seeking out and discovery as should anything of great value. It should NEVER have become an advertised target. Anyone who doesn't agree just doesn't understand the experience.
8
I think a lot of these issues at many national parks and hiking trails deals with inexperienced people not knowing or bothering to learn about hiking etiquette, which is certainly something not brought up in those lovely Instagram posts.
8
The Waterfall is NOT deadly it is the failure of people to acknowledge the natural hazards of high places as dangerous that is deadly. In law there is the policy called "Assumption of the Risk". Messing around on high wet places should place a reasonable person on notice that falling, injury, and death are real possibilities. Yet people assume the risk and venture out beyond the point of reasonable safety. I know this is cold, but perhaps this is nature's way of protecting the gene pool.
27
Read Edward Abbey.
10
Visiting the CLiffs of Mohr in Ireland was a real eye opener. There were signs along the path that was fenced about 15 feet from the edge of the Cliffs saying, " Cliffs are very unstable, please remain of the path." So what did I see? Numerous people had hopped the rope and were standing backwards near the very edge of the cliff taking selfies, or having a friend take their photo. Absurd. It is not that the landscape can't be trusted, it is that we humans can't be trusted to keep our selves safe even we are specifically directed to danger.
89
It's a phenomenon to be sure. Three social media bloggers died in British Columbia, Canada in July when a women slipped too close to the falls and two guys tried to save her. We were in Iceland last week. At a huge waterfall there was a large observation platform. We witnessed a middle aged woman and a child of about ten, come down the other side on a fairly steep slope, stopping maybe six feet from the edge of the cliff, waving at family on the other side a good eighty feet up. One slip and they would have perished.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/shannon-falls-hikers-1.47...
6
@Henry's boy
Yeah - those same bloggers where ones who monetized their trespassing on the Grand Prismatic hot spring at Yellowstone (fined and jailed for that one), were fined for illegally flying drones in Zion, and caused some sort of incident at Death Valley too. They had zero respect for nature and rules - all they could think of was their own selfish interests as to how they could make cash off of these wonderful places, screw the rules.
4
“Take a picture, it’ll last longer.”
You might die in the process, but maybe then you’ll go viral?
6
Wild areas like this should not have "improvements" or "safety measures". These only encourage more traffic. Plus, it is impossible to protect stupid people from themselves. They climb over guard rails to fall to their deaths taking selfies.
30
It isn't virtual reality, is it?
3
@Z It's those non "virtual" rocks, get you every time!
We've owned property that borders a privately owned waterfall, here in Michigan. Two summers ago plans were announced to sell the waterfall and some surrounding property to the state to open the falls to the public.
Our property has since collected trash, thieves, and vandals like crazy. We finally posted our property "No Trespassing" after owning it for more than 30 years. And posted a sign on our road that there is no falls access on that road. We still pick up trash and have thieves and vandals, tho the police presence has cut down on it some.
And the falls still haven't been sold and still aren't open to the public, so not only are people trespassing and trashing our property but also are trespassing on the falls property. Our insurance and the insurance of the guy who owns the falls has skyrocketed. We have barbed wire fences all around our property. I'm thinking we're going to need to build a stone wall before too long. Some people are jerks and ruin it for everyone.
44
Let's just make it a Disney ride.
Heck, let's make all nature a Disney ride.
4
I grew up in Hunter and went there many, many times back in the 60's. We never had anyone die there and that was when there was a makeshift trail to the bottom of the falls. I guess growing up in the country we knew how to hike the woods, not in flip flops, didn't have cell phones just a camera so we weren't trying to impress anyone, well except maybe our girlfriends.
8
Being stupid does not make you immune from the forces of nature. Get to close to the edge to satisfy your desire for a a selfie or great photo can result in injury or death. It's just common sense, but that attribute often eludes a lot of people.
3
Oh please. This story reminds me of the people who went to the beach to ‘watch the tsunami’ on the West Coast a couple of years ago. Stupid people will always do stupid things. And there’s not much we can do about it.
32
I've had the dubious privilege of seeing idiots in some 25 national parks and from America to Africa. People climbing over barriers and ignoring signage, approaching wild animals for that "special pic", and generally putting themselves and others in extreme danger. I've given up trying to point out the danger, as it has just earned me scowls. Fools will be fools forever, falling off cliffs, breaking through thin volcanic crusts, being boiled alive in calderas, or being stomped to death by irate ungulates. As someone has said, "You can't fix stupid."
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I spent a good portion of my youth hiking around upstate New York. The majority of the time was around waterfalls and gorges. We weren't instagramming. No one bothered to bring a phone. The idea was to jump off large cliffs and waterfalls. Cell phones don't do well around water. To this day, I think only one photograph exists to represent five years of cliff jumping. I don't even know what I did with the photo.
In hindsight, it's remarkable no one was hurt. The only water death I heard about happened at a pond far away from the trails. The ranger would come and yell every once in awhile. However, we had an easy solution. Swim to the other side of the gorge. We hiked in one side, simply hike out the other. If you left shoes or clothes on the far side, just wait until the ranger gets bored and swim back. It wasn't rocket science.
The difference however was we never jumped a spot someone hadn't shown us was safe. I can't imagine trusting our potentially lethal acrobatics to some semi-anonymous instagram post. One spot in particular had a dam off to one side. If you didn't stick the take off and landing, instant death. We were very well aware that wet rock represented life ending danger. You didn't need a sign.
You'd think someone motivated enough to find obscure hiking destinations would read a book first. You won't believe some of the mistakes I see novice hikers make. If you can educate yourself about the destination, please educate yourself on how to return from it safely.
15
There are a lot of areas around where I live in the Northwest that I no longer go to. Too many people anymore. In a way, thats good - more people getting out to enjoy wild areas - but the impact is tremendous. There is almost no solitude. Parking lots are full, trails are crowded, litter ranges from a single cigarette butt, to toilet paper, to food wrappers and bags, and it's more difficult to get in your own head with others milling around.
I noticed in one of the "flyovers" in the article that there are numerous names etched into the rocks. I see the same things everywhere. Someone in their infinite wisdom (and religious fervor) scratched three crosses into almost every large rock on one of my favorite (and hard to get to) trails near Mt Jefferson in Oregon. For what purpose? Despoiling others' appreciation of a beautiful hike for their self appointed proselytizing?
People need to understand there's more to visiting these places than a selfie opportunity and a chance to leave an indelible mark.
65
If people want to risk their necks for a selfie, that's their affair. New York doesn't need to--and shouldn't--intervene. A life sanitized of adventure and risk isn't worth living.
5
@Troglotia DuBoeuf
Except...we all get to pay the costs of their rescue, or body recovery, and those month/years in hospital/rehab make the insurance costs go up for everyone.
I am all for people throwing themselves into volcanoes. Active ones, only--no rescue possible, no recovery needed--"Self-cremation!" Problem solved.
As you say: "...isn't worth living."
1
@Troglotia DuBoeuf
This fails to account for the costs associated with recovering these "adventurers" both in real dollars and the safety of the rescue/recovery teams.
Life is well worth living without risking one's neck for the illusory benefit of an upturned thumb emoji or another Insta follower.
We can't legislate against having idiots in our midsts, but at least we can try and add reasonable safety measures for those who make poor choices.
See seatbelts, airbags, etc. for further edification.
2
Those who complain that we live in an over-regulated, over-protected society need only look at this phenomenon to see why that is. Time, energy and money has to be spent to protect people from their own stupidity. Adding additional signs, handrails, viewing platforms, staircases, etc. violates the natural beauty that people go out of their way to find. They are also necessary to protect the government from the lawsuits that result when ignorant people do asinine things resulting in injury or death and then look for anyone to blame but themselves. Unfortunately, even multi-million dollar safety features and more regulations cannot protect people from themselves.
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@Ms. Pea
Your tone comes across a little harsh. Personally, I appreciate the chains the NPS has on Angel's Landing. I could place my own climbing ropes and be perfectly safe. Imagine the mess though if every park visitor did the same thing. I assure you, the park regulations and safety equipment do more to preserve natural beauty than promote safety. Just look at those chains in icy weather. You'll see what I mean.
The same is true for any other feature our park service provides. The NPS doesn't stop stupid. They don't really try. They're mostly protecting the landmark, not you. You should visit some unregulated natural wonders for comparison. Machu Picchu wouldn't exist if they gave tourists unregulated access. Foot steps alone would knock the structure to ruins.
Next time you see a multi-million dollar feature, show some humility. Not everything is about the individual.
3
I think if people are coming to view our beautiful mountains there should be something in place to provide a trolley to drop people off and enjoy. That same trolley/bus can then make stops for folks to visit and patron local establishments. Folks can park in the towns free municipal parking lots. This would be much safer than walking in traffic on the mountain road and after navigating the dangers coming back to a ticket on your vehicle. Why do we insult our fellow humans? I like to believe that most of us have common sense.
8
@Deirdre Goss I like your plan. That's how a well-funded government is supposed to work for the people.
But then how would the local police make money off all the parking tickets? (sarcasm) When we visited Kaaterskills Falls, we thought we had complied with the parking regs. We read all the signs. But we still got a rather large ticket! Would have been great to park in town and take a trolley to the site. The town could charge a small fee and ban parking at the site.
Another thing I found offensive last I was there was people flying drones (much like the videos capturing the falls in the article). Drones are loud. Even the rush of the falls couldn't drown it out. People were flying them with no consideration of others.
71
Free publicity can be very dangerous. In this case, it may have contributed to multiple deaths. From November, 2015 to November, 2016, free publicity gave us Donald Trump. Staircases, barriers and warning signs won't prevent further damage from that.
19
One of the most important rules I learned about nature growing up in Colorado was this: Never climb up anything you can't climb down, never climb down anything you can't climb back up.
The rule is not to be meant literal only to "climbing", but expands to every encounter one has with the natural world, and if you follow it you stay safe while engaging with nature at the level appropriate to both your skills and limitations. If you ignore it, sooner or later you will suffer the consequences.
33
Based upon what I have read in other media accounts it appears there has been a precipitous rise in deaths worldwide due to people who die while attempting to take selfies in dangerous places and situations. They slip and fall over waterfalls, down mountains, into canyons, off tall buildings, or are swept away by rivers. Sometimes others are endangered or die trying to rescue these folks. While I feel sad for the families and friends of these people, you just can’t protect everyone from their own stupidity. There are consequences for ignoring obvious risks especially in nature. This seems like a kind of natural selection.
42
Thank you for sharing the artist Lauren Sansaricq whose work I can now follow on the Instagram
5
There’s only so much you can do to save people without an instinct for self-preservation.
18
A little over 40 years ago, 2 friends and I went to Taughannock Falls on Lake Cayuga, which is similar. Back then there were no warnings, signs or barriers. They decided to go behind the falls while I stretched out on a giant flat rock in the afternoon sun. Suddenly, I heard a loud "Crack!" I was instantly on my feet and my pals were plastered against the back wall. Yes, some rocks had fallen. Luckily, they got out from behind there without injury.
It may or may not have been the stupidest thing they ever did, but they were lucky.
Barriers and signs help guide people to what is and isn't safe in environments they don't know well, or think they know better than they do. It's not a "nanny society", it's just common sense.
7
It shouldn't be the DEC's job to keep people from doing dumb things. At all trailheads in the high peaks of the Adirondacks, there are a myriad of signs warning people of the hazards—bears, falls, hypothermia, getting lost, giardia, and ticks. However, once you're past those signs, you are responsible for making good decisions. To be fair, if someone does something stupid 10 miles in, the DEC will come get them--but there are no fences.
20
The graffiti carved into the rock formations is so sad!
35
Guess Thoreau, who visited the falls in 1844, was lucky.
4
Can anyone tell me what that small white disk is when the camera makes its way up to the very top of the falls. Its right in the middle of where the small group of people are?
1
If it ever gets as popular as Niagara Falls, the locals are in trouble. Niagara Falls (Canadian side) is insane with throngs of people clogging every street, patch of grass and sidewalk. The last time I went, I vowed never to return. The mass of humanity kills the enjoyment of the Falls.
8
These waterfall deaths occur every summer here in NC and all for what? A selfie? At a certain point, Nature shows its omnipotent force, its strength. And it befuddles me when people refuse to respect its intensity.
11
The most effective sign on the road from Newcastle to Edinburgh to slow traffic down???
"105 fatal accidents on this road since 2002"
I am sure something similar would help inform visitors of the real danger at this amazingly, gorgeous venue.
13
The scale of the location is beyond being simply impressive. How could any person venture out to an edge, then not yield to a clear natural danger. This happens everywhere, Crabtree Falls, VA, Cape Hatteras, NC or Tres Palmas Reef at Rincon, PR and thousands of other sites across our nation. We all want freedom, in all its forms. Federal and state institutions might be criticized for not maintaining ($$$) safe conditions, or for ruining a pristine environment, or worse yet, making access difficult, expensive or impossible in an effort to protect the public from their own lack of forethought. Let us improve our educational facilities, then track progress
1
The human EGO is the problem. This Obsession with posting pictures of selves to gain some measure of "fame" is out of control. Such a misguided waste of time. Such a delusional focus of people's lives. It's so Not what's important in life, and as evidenced here, death.
36
Obviously, the public cannot be trusted to safeguard themselves and the area is not safe. Especially first time visitors, who is responsible for the area? People off the path need supervision, the state of NY has to have guides and authority present , or shut the area down, other than below the falls for viewing. The drone footage ny times showed, is entertainment enough, until a safe alternative is found.
1
@not the now
if adults knowingly put themselves in danger, why should the rest of us care?
5
@not the now
And who is going to pay for the supervision? I don't usually mind paying taxes, but I do mind paying for this. Perhaps NYS needs to start charging entry fees for overused parks.
I'd start by taking of survey of where the visitors are from. If they are mostly out of state, then let NYS residents go for free. Or if a survey is too difficult, then give residents a discount or let them buy yearly passes to the parks/preserves.
2
@Think because the people who put themselves in danger expect to be rescued on the government's dime i.e. you pay for them in your taxes. Research how much NYS and localities spend rescuing clueless hikers and idiot risk-takers who "live on the edge".
1
Have we become so self absorbed we can't respect nature? Are we so disrespecting of our steps that all we can do is leave trash? Sad. Is this the way we seek to live?
Lincoln had a core ethics right: let us appeal to the better angles of our nature.
5
The state shouldn't run the aesthetic of the falls just because a few people make poor decisions.
31
@James On one level I agree with you regarding protecting people from their own stupidity. On another level the state has a responsibility to protect the health safety and welfare of its residents. I was just at Kaaterskill Falls a few weks ago. People in flip flops and barefoot were hiking down the trail. When the numbers of visitors skyrocket and so many people get hurt, somtime requiring the deployment of helicopters, and rescues that even risk the lives of first responders, something must be done. The DEC's approach--a new overlook, steps, wire railings, and volunteer rangers educating visitors--is right on the money. Also, the overlook, stairs and wire railings have not had an adverse impact on the scenic beauty of the falls--at all.
18
@Jeffrey
I agree regarding the railings, stairs, and signage. Being relatively easily accessed from the road coupled with the free advertising from social media regarding the location, the falls and swimming holes are overwhelmed with crowds. This has produced some very bad erosion, so management of that led to the creation of more stable trails and the viewing platform. These have been quite beneficial to the surrounding environment and to peoples’ safety, and importantly provide access to those who could not visit the area previously. The trail to the platform is wheelchair accessible, and that is really important.
The crowds are definitely problematic. The widespread practice of dumping garbage from picnics at the streams shows blantant disrespect for the environment and the people who call Haines Falls/Tannersville/Hunter home. There should be a zero tolerance for it and a formidable fine for dumping trash on trails and streamsides. Also, parking cars along 23a in areas clearly marked with No Parking signs shows an alarming attitude of entitlement and disregard for safety. Dealing with these issues requires resources for enforcement, which the town and the state do not have. And many visitors know this, so take advantage in order to pursue their visit without consideration for the environment or others. It is enraging, and it keeps me from bringing my child to the swimming holes where I spent summers as a child because they are so often full of trash.
One of my favorite hiking spots in the Catskills. The Park Department's upgrades have made the falls a safer place to visit, but the increased popularity of this idyllic spot have made parking, hiking, and quiet enjoyment, easily available five years ago and before, close to an impossibility. The Catskill Mountain House was a major draw in the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. Day hikes were made to the falls often, and the profusion of artist's renderings of Kaaterskill are testament to its enduring beauty, and before those days, indigenous Americans knew the attraction of the falls. More people, more regulations, more noise. 45 years ago, I made my first trip to the falls. I was blown away by the beauty, the magnificence of this lovely spot. Ascending to the top of the falls required a scramble over rocks and slippery gravel, always aware of the danger of falling, and always conscious of balance and footholds and secure branches to assist in the climb. Basically, respecting the terrain and acknowledging the dangerous conditions.
Now, there are steps, and a viewing platform, and the site is safer. I return to the falls at least once a year, a celebration to me as I grow older and my muscles remember the ease with which I climbed 40 years ago, and ache accordingly.
20
Perhaps many of the visitors are not able to break out of their video games mindset. The water is moving, therefore I must interact with it.
6
Honestly, at some point the only sane and reasonable solution is to allow Darwinism to work its solutions. Continuing to save the irresponsible from themselves is a negative value task.
114
@Em if we all died everytime we did something stupid, no one would lives past 21. You are not smarter, just luckier.
@Em FYI social Darwinism is how fascist dictatorships justify genocide. Shame on you. Comments like this make me lock my doors. Negative value! This is how a Deplorable values human life.
@mary bardmess
So long as you are inside the locked doors, and stay there, I'd say this would be a good thing! Enjoy your Safe Space.
I love nature as much as the next person; I mean I really LOVE nature. However, I have an even greater respect and healthy fear of nature. I am deeply saddened by how naïve, reckless and/or careless some actions have been when entering Mother Nature’s beautiful food chain. It’s almost as if common sense has practically been abandoned in some cases. These kinds of deaths are so preventable and unwarranted. My heart breaks for the family members and friends who’ve lost a loved one under these circumstances.
Sometimes it seems as if Mother Nature is actually saying, “Look, admire and appreciate but keep moving. Take your time . . quickly.” Perhaps the old fashion 35 millimeter camera with a zoom lenses capability is a safer route to take for scenes that are as spectacular as they are dangerous.
4
With the current trend toward solar energy, farm-fresh foods, and natural living, why not just try the most natural, and oldest, thing of all?
Natural Selection.
Like periodic naturally occurring forest fires, it clears out the underbrush, making the forest stronger.
Without it... well, just look around.
61
There used to be places I could go where I'd see little sign of others - no trash, no defacement. There still are, but I'd never tell anyone about them, much less post pictures on "social" media of them. I like places where the experience in such that I want to live in the moment, and spend my mental abilities trying to record it.
The Buffalo River and wilderness was one such place before National Geographic had an article on it. Nowadays you need to go mid-week during off-season, and then you still have the trash and detritus to deal with.
Similarly, there are areas nearby where guided horse tours have worn the wilderness trails to ruts, the water is polluted with lots of people and horse "effluent" in the summer, and you can practically walk from one canoe to another all the way down the river. Not to mention the noise and disruption of dirt bikes breaking the "no motorized vehicles" rules. The local outfitters provide much needed income in these places, but at what cost? How many do there need to be?
So when you come across a beautiful place - whether by chance, research, or talking with locals - do us all a favor and share only with a few. There are more people on the planet than there used to be, and use and abuse of these spots will grow - but hopefully not exponentially.
Leave only footprints - light ones! - and take only pictures. Pack out more trash than you brought in. Remember that some things need to last for our children - and theirs.
137
@Chris right on
@Chris 'Couldn't agree more. The sad reality is that in many instances, the abuse from people "loving places to death" (industrial tourism) is greater than stereotypically-damaging impacts/industries like mining, drilling, etc.
http://homebrave.com/home-of-the-brave//bears-ears-part-six-industrial-t...
Hmmm, rangers and parks departments having to save us from ourselves and yet budgets continue to get cut for national parks and the environment. Why can't we figure this out?
49
Has anyone done a cost-benefit analysis of social media? It seems like there are so many drawbacks to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. While no shareholders will get rich off of this idea, what happened to living your life with friends/family around you and not broadcasting it to the rest of the world?
81
@NDG, so true. and we should make this site safer, however, the great democratization caused by social media necessitates more individual responsibility . Not unlike traditional democracy. Can't wait to be refreshed by the cool mist of real touch inspired by the exploration of a comparatively tactile less on screen keyboard.
1
21 years ago I was on a hike in Giant City State Park in Illinois which is part of the Shawnee National Forest. There was a circumstance when our ten year old hikers decided to go off the path and one slipped down what appeared to be dry rock. My job was to get the rest of the group back to the path and afterward, out of concern for the child that had fallen, I took a step and went slip sliding away. On the way to falling 20 feet I managed to smack my head but broke no bones or suffered internal injuries and have no memory of the fall. What I had slipped down was a seemingly dry waterfall path and fell into the pool at the bottom. Even if the rock face looks dry assume that it is not and oh, uh STAY ON THE PATH or the trail that has been marked out rather than trying to forge a new one.
57
So much for "the road less traveled."
3
Whatever happened to going somewhere and just remembering it? I stopped living behind, let alone for, a camera’s eye decades ago.
92
@Peak Oiler
Agreed. I don’t take many pics anymore. It just takes away from the enjoyment of the present, the moment. To me all if it is obscured by the phone/camera. I’d rather remember it in my minds eye.
10
@Peak Oiler ,Thank you.
A winter's slate grey sky as a canvas for trees whose every limb and branch is traced with snow is part of my memory album that I can pullout and re-see at any moment. And, given Wisconsin's climate, I'm lucky enough to experience seeing it anew every winter.
It wouldn't occur to me to spoil those moments fumbling with a camera.
@Peak Oiler
The secondary sadness to your post is those pics that are posted on the net are looked at by the photographer maybe twice. Did they smell the water, the moss, the earth while they were there? Did they sit and listen to the variety of feathered creatures? Or was their experience all about what they couls consume in a self for social media?
2
“There is always going to be someone that’s going to try to be more daring and... say, ‘Hey look at me — look what I can do.’”
Sure, you can't control everyone, but with so many visitors the goal should be to find a cost effective way to decrease the odds of a catastrophic injury, not necessarily to eliminate it. Here in S. Korea on just about every mountain trail with a dangerous cliff or drop off you'll find staircases, iron railings and viewing platforms, making these sites safer and more accessible to a broader range of hikers, which seems to me like a worthwhile goal.
8
@Dokdoforever
Yes, but unfortunately most of these safety measures fail to meet the most important criteria:
They are grossly ableist. They are inaccessible to people in wheel chairs. With a rapidly increasing portion of the population being grossly obese (unconventionally beautiful) and requiring motorized wheel chairs to move away from the dinner table, we need to welcome them wholeheartedly to beautiful sights in the wild.
The measures are ultimately unsafe. We need to remodel all these sites, using Yale Safe Rooms as the template. This will especially prevent injury and death to Millenials who are first experiencing Nature, and are more familiar with the Safe Rooms provided to them by their Moms and their colleges.
12
@red sox 9 If one railing in a particularly hazardous spot can cut the number of people who fall to their death per decade from 10 to 2, I'd say it's worth it.
@Dokdoforever But these staircases, iron railings and viewing platforms defile the nature, they distort the image of the beauty, and they do not let people get in touch and experience the world.
2
The Grand Canyon has a published book of all those who have lost their lives falling there. We cannot make everyone safe. I found in Europe much more responsibility on the individual and fewer guardrails. Like in the case of the Grand Canyon, one cannot guardrail the world!
79
I believe it has to do with the litigious nature of US society - the risk of being sued makes people put in place more or less useful safety measures and disclaimers. This is not the case in Europe and most other places.
18
I didn't see anything about lawsuits in the article. I think, in the Trump age, people do need to be warned that falls from height can be dangerous, heat is hot, water can drown you, etc. People really are in need of basic information and they aren't getting it from Fox.
1
Agree wholeheartedly. I love to swim in open water which is very difficult to do in NY without getting fined. We need to try to keep people safe but what about self responsibility. I used to visit Lake Minnewaska in the Gunks to swim until the state ruined it for swimmers. You go to challenging places - be aware of your surroundings and please take your bottles, cans, trash & cigarette butts with you!!
Really better to go out of state - NY is the nanny state
1
It is a beautiful spot but a careful person would know where to walk and where not to walk. If you are climbing wet rocks, then you should know better. There's plenty of places that are FLAT to walk and still see the falls without any problem. Caution signs and the new stone walkway are a very good idea. But geez ultimately you are in NATURE and you need to make rational choices.
46
Senior skip day as a Newburgh Free Academy student was often spent at this idyllic spot in the 1980s. We often had the Falls to ourselves. Lots of fond memories, no injuries as I recall. Kind of sad to see it overrun...
35