Woman falls off of Half Dome

[chandlerman]

From USA Today:

"A 26-year-old Northern California woman fell to her death Sunday while descending the steel cables on rain-slicked Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, according to news reports.

Hayley LaFlamme of San Ramon, across the bay from San Francisco, had climbed up the back of the iconic granite crest. On the way down the cable ladder, she slipped around noon and fell 600 feet, said park spokeswoman Kari Cobb. She was with three friends and family.

It had rained in the morning and rain and lightning were present. "


I've been up there many times. You have to walk right past this sign to get on the cables:

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww154/richnslo/HalfDomehikewarning.jpg

You'd think people might be a little more careful after three people ignored a warning sign last month and went over Vernal Falls.

[R13D]

Yes, you would think that people would pay attention to signs. Those cables on the back of Half Dome are a wonderful thing that makes the climb possible,but I have seen idiots going around slower climbers by going outside of the cables and passing them,especially on the descent. Even in dry weather,just not too smart.

[Jahn]

Seriously, who looks at this during a thunderstorm with lightning and says "oh BOY this will be EASY!"

http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com/files/storyphotos/sfchron_halfdome.jpg?0

[ronedee]

wow...600 ft!

...that gives you a lot of time to think about how stupid you were.

[jaycee]

Do the cables form some type of ladder or something? That's what i'm assuming, i've never been there.

[rolltide]

Do the cables form some type of ladder or something? That's what i'm assuming, i've never been there.

Basically. Here's a better view:

http://www.dailynugget.com/images/half_dome_cables.jpg

I've seen people slip and fall on dry days just from getting nervous or overly excited. I'd never go up on a rainy day.

[Funky Chicken]

It's all I can do to climb up into my recliner.

[jaycee]

Whoa...So the cables are there to hold on to and the supports on the ground are about 5'-10' apart?

That's crazy. Why do these kids think that the safety warnings don't apply to them?

[Stew]

I don't know the facts but it's possible that the storm moved in fast from the other side of the mountain and they didn't see it coming. Even experienced climbers get surprised by storms. As for reading signs, we use signs in my winter job to convey important information about hazards, and I can say, most people don't read signs. We have a backcountry gate that goes into avalanche terrain. We watch inexperienced people walk right by signs and out the gate. We tried a big picture of skull and crossbones on the gate. The result was, people would stop and take their picture in front of them and then go through the gate.

[Vaachek]

Always get a kick out of the folks who feel "this doesn't apply to me!"

[sergv]

I read somewhere recently that there have been 14 deaths so far this season in Yosemite, where the 'norm' is around 6.

Driving into Yosemite valley for the first time is awe inspiring ... It is a unique place in this world.

[rolltide]

Whoa...So the cables are there to hold on to and the supports on the ground are about 5'-10' apart?

That's crazy. Why do these kids think that the safety warnings don't apply to them?

Poles with foot supports are every 10' and the last 400 feet is pretty steep. You have to wear hiking boots as it's granite. You should wear gloves. You should clip yourself to the cable, but I don't know why more people don't. It's a no-brainer for me...if I fall or someone else falls and takes me out, do I want to fall 10' or 600'?

I know people have hiked Half Dome without the cables as if it's some bragging right, but people have also died trying to hike it without the cables.

[rolltide]

I don't know the facts but it's possible that the storm moved in fast from the other side of the mountain and they didn't see it coming. Even experienced climbers get surprised by storms. As for reading signs, we use signs in my winter job to convey important information about hazards, and I can say, most people don't read signs. We have a backcountry gate that goes into avalanche terrain. We watch inexperienced people walk right by signs and out the gate. We tried a big picture of skull and crossbones on the gate. The result was, people would stop and take their picture in front of them and then go through the gate.

There's a sign you can't miss when you're hiking up there. You're usually waiting in a line so you're standing there for a while staring at it. You also have to get a permit to hike Half Dome as of this year and they explain all the safety concerns and what to do if it starts to rain. If you refuse to listen or read, you're rolling the dice with the Grim Reaper.

http://www.yosemitehikes.com/images/half-dome-lightning-plaque-550w.jpg

[Julia343]

You know I could go up, but you'd have to call a chopper in to get me down. "Meow!..... Meow!...... Meow!......"

And what if it's clear and then when you're half way up a thunderstorm kicks up?

[Peteyvee]

You know I could go up, but you'd have to call a chopper in to get me down. "Meow!..... Meow!...... Meow!......"

And what if it's clear and then when you're half way up a thunderstorm kicks up?

Then you're screwed. The mountains make their own weather. I've seen it go from 70 degrees and sunny to 10 degrees and blizzard conditions in less than 30 minutes. In August...

The Sierras can be very treacherous and I've seen people do incredibly stupid things up there. Even Yosemite is not Disneyland.

[Jim S]

Climbing Half dome is a known risk. It's that simple.

The part that irks me is anybody is allowed to climb and you can get stuck behind very out of shape persons or persons who should not be climbing. Pausing on the Dome for 1-2 hours is not in my bucket list.

Sad she died.

[Go Cat Go!!]

I had to look up more photo's of the half dome as that picture doesn't look that bad.

Holy sweet Moses!!! I'm scared of heights and this pic gives me vertigo.

http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/14/5d/ed/top-of-half-dome.jpg

Full story towards the bottom- http://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserReviews-g61000-r22652094-Yosemite_National_Park_California.html

[Mr. Kite]

I'm sorry that the lady died.
I'd really like to see Danny Macaskill ride his bike there.

[Scott Auld]

6:00 point talks about the hazards of the cables.

ihNpkUp5JdM

Gorgeous feature. Very deadly. Me no go up.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6150/6003081122_1ec35cb276_o.jpg

RIP to Ms. LaFlamme.

[RupertB]

Sad but yeah, too many people take a "theme park" mindset into natural areas.

[Scott Auld]

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6021/6002554861_24802fd31b_o.jpg

[TNJ]

Its just as beautiful in person, perhaps more so, than in the photos.

And every bit as deadly as they say.

I was there in May...first time.

Breathtaking...

And a bit scary...

S.
j

[Bluedawg]

I had to look up more photo's of the half dome as that picture doesn't look that bad.

Holy sweet Moses!!! I'm scared of heights and this pic gives me vertigo.

http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/14/5d/ed/top-of-half-dome.jpg

Full story towards the bottom- http://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserReviews-g61000-r22652094-Yosemite_National_Park_California.html


That'll make your pee pee go in and out.

:hide

[jamess]

One of my favorite rocks on the planet. Nearly 30 years ago I spent the night solo on top with my acoustic. That night I was encased in a cold cloud with a full moon illuminating the entire area in a dim glow. By morning my water bottle and guitar were frozen. After a few hours of thawing in the morning sun I sat near the edge that is shown in a couple pictures above and played acoustic instrumentals to the valley below. Of course no one could hear me due to the distance, but it was a very memorable moment for me.

Around early afternoon I packed up and strapped my guitar on my backpack, then headed back down to the valley to rejoin my group who had chosen to spend the same time at Mono Lake. I'll never forget that night and the sunset over the Sierra's.

[chandlerman]

^^^ I've spent the night on top several times during a full moon and it was always a fantastic experience. Unfortunately, camping on top is now prohibited.

[Peteyvee]

^^^ I've spent the night on top several times during a full moon and it was always a fantastic experience. Unfortunately, camping on top is now prohibited.

So is the firefall they used to dump over the side from the top of Glacier Point. IMO: Both are prohibited for very good reasons, but I do kinda miss the firefall...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yosemite_Firefall

[HEY!YOU!]

Haven't been back to Yosemite because of all the people....it just ruins it.
We would go late winter/early spring backpacking just to not deal with the knuckleheads.

Last time was 1973.

That pic of the line up crowd to climb just makes me cringe.

Just the other side of the Valley is just as beautiful without all the crowds.

Rainbow Falls
Devils Post Piles...

[Tom CT]

I don't see that the woman did anything wrong or reckless. She was climbing, carefully I would assume, along a marked trail with a hand railing. She slipped. By accident. She fell and was killed.

Could have happened to anyone on the trail that day. Yes, it was dangerous, but many thousands before her have successfully completed the climb without incident. Repeat - it was an accident.

[Totally Bored]

The laying on the couch, drinking beer, smoking ciggy butts and watching TV guy wins again :dude




Climbing that stuff looks like work to me. Just sayin

[meandi]

National geographic magazine did a feature on the yosemete free climbers earlier this year, those who work without ropes.
Takes a different mentality to live that life!

[ow my eyes]

Its a matter of time before someone sues and wins a lawsuit and Yosemite will be forced to licence climbers.
Cant leave the public to make their own decisions.

[Peteyvee]

Haven't been back to Yosemite because of all the people....it just ruins it.
We would go late winter/early spring backpacking just to not deal with the knuckleheads.

Last time was 1973.

That pic of the line up crowd to climb just makes me cringe.

Just the other side of the Valley is just as beautiful without all the crowds.

Rainbow Falls
Devils Post Piles...

Shhhhhh!!!!

[whomad1215]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gklM1AiZX0s
Signs - Tesla
Some people just don't think about risking their life.

[chandlerman]

Its a matter of time before someone sues and wins a lawsuit and Yosemite will be forced to licence climbers.
Cant leave the public to make their own decisions.

Maybe, although I'm sure many wounded climbers must have tried and failed in court over the years. I took a fall on North Palisade south of Yosemite that busted me up very badly, almost killed me, and required a helicopter rescue. Never occurred to me to sue someone.

I remember the double decker buses that were taken out of service after a tree limb fell on some unfortunate person on the top deck and killed them. Their family sued saying that the Park Service should have trimmed all the tree limbs hanging over the roads and a jury agreed.

Anyway, I'm glad I had the chance to climb and backpack in Yosemite when I was young, back before all the bans, permits, and trail quotas. When they started requiring reservations for the wilderness I pretty much quit going there.

[rolltide]

I don't see that the woman did anything wrong or reckless. She was climbing, carefully I would assume, along a marked trail with a hand railing. She slipped. By accident. She fell and was killed.

Could have happened to anyone on the trail that day. Yes, it was dangerous, but many thousands before her have successfully completed the climb without incident. Repeat - it was an accident.

They've yet to release what caused her to fall so everything is an assumption at this point. What they do know is many people turned back from the cables once they realized how much rain was coming down and only 20 went up, including her group, despite signs warning people about attempting the hike during rain or thunderstorms. If you look up any hiking info about Half Dome, nearly everyone will tell you not to hike it if it's been raining. It becomes a vertical ice rink and even a seasoned climber would struggle with it. At some point, people need to apply common sense to their life.

Its a matter of time before someone sues and wins a lawsuit and Yosemite will be forced to licence climbers.
Cant leave the public to make their own decisions.

I don't think anyone has a case. There are numerous signs posted and info provided about the hike to cover the park. You know the risks going in, but people obviously choose to ignore them from time to time. However, it may be better if people have to take a pass/fail course to hike it. It would ease any safety concerns and create shorter lines.

Shhhhhh!!!!

Seriously! I go to these places to get away from people. That's a task in itself now at Yosemite.

[daa2202]

Dr. Darwin, please call your office.

Seriously, RIP to the lady who sadly fell and was killed, but walking past that sign is a textbook definition of "assumption of risk".

[HEY!YOU!]

Shhhhhh!!!!

I didn't name names, but you know what I'm talkin bout.

You still have to know how to get there.......:aok

[MightyGuru]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gklM1AiZX0s
Signs - Tesla
Some people just don't think about risking their life.

five man electric band

Z1Q7cP3ij5g

[jollygreen]

Haven't been back to Yosemite because of all the people....it just ruins it.

Definitely. I used to live in the valley and Yosemite was nice. The whole state's gotten too crowded.

[HEY!YOU!]

Definitely. I used to live in the valley and Yosemite was nice. The whole state's gotten too crowded.

Montana is looking better and better....

[IGuitUpIGuitDown]

She probably thought the view was worth it, too. At some point. :omg R.I.P.
This happened last year at Zion too, if I remember correctly.

I prefer to live vicariously through the Discovery HD Theater channel - that's close enough to "reality" for me.

Climbing up that frickin' thing gives me nightmares.

[IGuitUpIGuitDown]

Hmmmmmmmmmmm...

http://www.hikehalfdome.com/Accidents.html

[Cobra]

http://www.hikehalfdome.com/images/idiot_off_cables_ps.jpg
http://www.hikehalfdome.com/images/Boy_Scouts_Troop_948-998_HAT_1a.jpg

[Go Cat Go!!]

Wow! Thanks for those pics Cobra. That really puts a better perspective on it. Wow doesn't really seem to cover it.

[IGuitUpIGuitDown]

I like the roller coasters that pull me up to the top, instead.

[smilefan]

I had to look up more photo's of the half dome as that picture doesn't look that bad.

Holy sweet Moses!!! I'm scared of heights and this pic gives me vertigo.

http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/14/5d/ed/top-of-half-dome.jpg

Full story towards the bottom- http://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserReviews-g61000-r22652094-Yosemite_National_Park_California.html

Glacier Point! I was 20 feet from that spot in June. Yup, the
overlook view gave me vertigo, the only spot ever to do so.
It dangerous in multiple ways. After we left Glacier Point, not
5 minutes up the access road we ran right into a bear (looked like
a Grizzly to me) ripping the guts out of a deer it just ambushed
not 20 feet from the road. All it would have taken is some fool
to stop and take a leak at that spot and the meal might have been
two-legged. The bear didn't even look up at us. Not scarred of
people at all. Nature rules in the Sierras.

[jollygreen]

Montana is looking better and better....

Hey, I see you're in CO. I'm thinking about moving to Durango. Mebbe Cortez.

[ski_fast]

Shoes are extremely important. A couple fourth of July's ago I was walking in the dark on a gravel road at a party when we were leaving. The road suddenly got steep and I had a hard sole on my shoes. My shoes went flying up in front of my face and I landed on my back. Got a partial collapsed lung and I couldn't sleep on my left side for 3 months. That was from a standing position. Gravity is more powerful than you think.

That poor lady probably had a hard sole on instead of something soft with grip. A terrifying thought falling down 600 feet.

Hopefully this will be a lesson to someone and might save their life.

[nofearfactor]

The park is in the northern part of the county I live in, Ive been going there practically my whole life. Not a bad place to visit as long as you follow the rules. The climb up Half Dome is not for the weak at all IMO. If you want some nice pics of the park without going there just find some cool Ansel Adams prints. Hell the drive from Jamestown to Mariposa is enough to give ya the willys if you dont do heights well. Nice place to visit tho.

[Killcrop]

Glacier Point! I was 20 feet from that spot in June. Yup, the
overlook view gave me vertigo, the only spot ever to do so.
It dangerous in multiple ways. After we left Glacier Point, not
5 minutes up the access road we ran right into a bear (looked like
a Grizzly to me) ripping the guts out of a deer it just ambushed
not 20 feet from the road. All it would have taken is some fool
to stop and take a leak at that spot and the meal might have been
two-legged. The bear didn't even look up at us. Not scarred of
people at all. Nature rules in the Sierras.

That is not Glacier Point. May look like it but that is the top of Halfdome.

[Killcrop]

I have been on Halfdome a couple times. The granite is slippery even when dry. I had a pair of hiking boots and I lost my footing multiple times coming down the mountian. I mos def wouldn't do it without gloves. You want to have a pretty good grip on the cables. I can see being on the summit and having a little rain pop up and run into trouble on the way down.

Respect nature and proceed with caution.

Check out this link. There is a pic of a guy who fell while climbing Halfdome but somehow stopped before tumbling off the edge. He was laying flat on his back waiting to be rescued. Talk about feeling woozy!

http://www.ssqq.com/archive/vinlin27f.htm

[Bob Maximus]

Check out this link. There is a pic of a guy who fell while climbing Halfdome but somehow stopped before tumbling off the edge. He was laying flat on his back waiting to be rescued. Talk about feeling woozy!

http://www.ssqq.com/archive/vinlin27f.htm

He died. Woozy might underestimate his feeling at the moment :eeks
Correction...the other guy died. This one didn't.

[Go Cat Go!!]

This is the scariest thread since the cotton mouth/water moccasin thread. I couldn't imagine being stuck out there for a second never mind 8 hours. If I survived I don't think I could even ride an elevator afterwards.

[Peteyvee]

This is the scariest thread since the cotton mouth/water moccasin thread. I couldn't imagine being stuck out there for a second never mind 8 hours. If I survived I don't think I could even ride an elevator afterwards.

Cotton mouths and water moccasins scare me much more than Halfdome. You can see Halfdome miles and miles away. You can't say that about a water moccasin in a swamp or lake...

[Scott Miller]

The Sierras can be very treacherous and I've seen people do incredibly stupid things up there. Even Yosemite is not Disneyland.

No kidding. I go backpacking there every year, usually in late August, early September, and I always prepare to get snowed in at any time. The tent gets put up every night, even if the sky is perfectly clear. Of course, when I was 20, I was stupid and used to go up there totally unprepared. A blizzard would have turned me into a statistic.

[Peteyvee]

No kidding. I go backpacking there every year, usually in late August, early September, and I always prepare to get snowed in at any time. The tent gets put up every night, even if the sky is perfectly clear. Of course, when I was 20, I was stupid and used to go up there totally unprepared. A blizzard would have turned me into a statistic.

We went for a week last October (in a cabin). 4 days of glorious 75 degree sunshine, then 1 day of blizzard and two days of cold and clear. The lake froze so quick, there was a trout frozen on the surface. Here's some before and after pics taken from the exact same spot...

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz18/peteyvee/BeforetheStorm.jpg

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz18/peteyvee/AftertheStorm.jpg

[Scott Miller]

Here's some before and after pics taken from the exact same spot...

Yeah man!! We got six inches of snow one year, while we were two days out. It was awesome, but not something I would have done intentionally. Makes it hard to find the trail.

[Peteyvee]

Yeah man!! We got six inches of snow one year, while we were two days out. It was awesome, but not something I would have done intentionally. Makes it hard to find the trail.

Sure does. Been there for sure, but I'm done with backpacking in the fall. Maybe even the summer too, given the crowds. These days, I'd rather KB by a nice lake or stream, take some day hikes, catch some trout and sleep in a nice warm bed.

Disclaimer: I've hiked the entire length of the Muir trail, been on top of Mt Whitney in June, July, August and September and am 54. So I deserve some relaxation and peace and quiet, right? ;)

[Bobby D]

It's all I can do to climb up into my recliner.


:rotflmao:rotflmao:rotflmao:rotflmao:agree

[Cobra]

http://www.ssqq.com/archive/images/huashan%20accident.jpg

[Polynitro]

that would make a good FAIL pic



http://www.ssqq.com/archive/images/huashan%20accident.jpg

[Zimi]

that would make a good FAIL pic

I like this one.

http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af256/highwaychile2010/failed-audio101.jpg

[Polynitro]

thats a classic!


I like this one.

http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af256/highwaychile2010/failed-audio101.jpg

[Killcrop]

http://www.ssqq.com/archive/images/huashan%20accident.jpg

I remember reading about this guy. What you don't see in the pic is the drop off below. I think I would have tried to scoot my butt over to the safe area...unless I was seriously injured. He's pretty lucky to be alive.

[IGuitUpIGuitDown]

I wonder if anyone ever encountered a sudden gust of wind while showing off for their (last) pic, on that "diving board?"

[chandlerman]

I wonder if anyone ever encountered a sudden gust of wind while showing off for their (last) pic, on that "diving board?"

When I was up there three years ago I crawled over on my belly and took a look down at that spot. Then I crawled back a safe distance and watched as an 11 or 12 year boy walked out there, hung his toes over the edge, looked down, and then nonchalantly turned around and walked away. A slight gust of wind, a slip, or a little dizziness would have sent him over the edge. It freaked me out, man.

[ow my eyes]

ihNpkUp5JdM

[guitrr]

We spent a great vacation in Yellowstone this May, and the amount of stupid tourist tricks we saw was mind boggling. The human folly in national parks is amazing.

[Chris Scott]

Haven't been back to Yosemite because of all the people....it just ruins it.
We would go late winter/early spring backpacking just to not deal with the knuckleheads.

Last time was 1973.

That pic of the line up crowd to climb just makes me cringe.

Just the other side of the Valley is just as beautiful without all the crowds.

Rainbow Falls
Devils Post Piles...

Same here, and, well - same here.:mad:

[Captain Midnite]

Regarding the above photo, from what I read the guy was laying spread eagle like that to keep from sliding away.

I'll be back at camp, stirring the beans, you kids have a good time and be safe!

[jaycee]

After watching the above video i've come to a conclusion: you can have it. You'd never get me up there. And seeing the people reaching the top and sitting on those rocks that look like they've been stacked on the edge and could fall at any time....no way. And also, the steepness of the summit and seeing people clutch the cables taking little baby steps...again....no, not for me.

[zekmoe]

I'm probably lazy by nature, but it surprises me the risk people take for the sake of fun. Life must be boring to some.

[Peteyvee]

I'll be back at camp, stirring the beans, you kids have a good time and be safe!

I'll pass on the beans, thanks. ;)

R6dm9rN6oTs

[stratzrus]

After watching the above video i've come to a conclusion: you can have it. You'd never get me up there.:agree

My grandfather used to say "Most people learn from their own mistakes, smart people learn from other people's mistakes, but a fool never learns.

You couldn't get me up there with promises of big money and naked women.

[Killcrop]

After visiting Yosemite probably 10 times for backpacking trips a couple years ago I finally decided to climb halfdome. I got there from the North and made my way up Clouds Rest first, which btw is a much better view.
The next day I got over the hump and the cables were in view. We were among a handful of people at the climb that early. It was probably 7am. I told my buddy that I was 51% sure I wasn't going to do it. We decided to climb until we felt uncomfortable. Half way up I hear a loud roar. Looking down into the Valley I could see two fighter jets flying in formation BELOW US. I was literally looking down and could see the pilots from above. At this part of the climb it was getting pretty steep. I will admit I was pretty scarred. If you fall outside of the cables you are done. No getting around that. I finally got to the top and it was/is spectacular. I set up my tripod and camera and took a shot of myself out on the diving board. (See Below).
I had run out of water at the top and was ridiculously thirsty by this point. I asked a guy who had a camelbak if he had any water to spare. He gave me about 15 oz. That was a life saver. Going down halfdome is twice as terrifying as going up. Its slippery going down even in totally dry conditions. Without leather gloves it would be trouble IMO. I got down in probably less than 7 minutes. My buddy said it had to be a record. I wanted off that damn mountain in a bad way once I started down.
Once safely off the mountain I had a euphoric feeling that lasted for about an hour. I had my ipod and was listening to some Dark Side of The Moon. I swear I floated down. Once we got back to the trail junction/Water source I loaded up on water and ate something. I felt sick. I was dehydrated at this point and it took several hours before I felt OK. It was a long hike but we went all the way to the Tenaya Lake trailhead. It took about 12 hours all up hill that day. Had a 12 pack of Sierra Nevada waiting at the bear box. Serious motivation.
The climb up Halfdome was one of the many hilights of my 12 backpacking trips to Yosemite. But, not for everyone.
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll60/killcrop/Divingboard2.jpg

[dmw319]

this thread makes my palms sweaty

[IGuitUpIGuitDown]

I still think it's completely fu**ing insane to go out on that thing. If you wanna climb on top of Half Dome, fine. But one day that diving board is gonna fall and someone's gonna be on top of it. And TMZ will probably buy the footage (and armage, and legage, and chestage, and headage).

Ugh.

Being a National Park Ranger in Yosemite must be akin to watching a Miike splatter-fest. Ichi The Ranger.

[Killcrop]

I still think it's completely fu**ing insane to go out on that thing. If you wanna climb on top of Half Dome, fine. But one day that diving board is gonna fall and someone's gonna be on top of it. And TMZ will probably buy the footage (and armage, and legage, and chestage, and headage).

Ugh.

Being a National Park Ranger in Yosemite must be akin to watching a Miike splatter-fest. Ichi The Ranger.

The diving board isn't nearly as precarious as the pic would lead you to believe. Its probably a good 12 feet wide up there. Those rocks weigh tons so little ol me aint going to even budge them. Besides, I can't think of a better way to go than free fall 4000 feet in Yosemite. :rotflmao

[IGuitUpIGuitDown]

At the very least, you'd have plenty of time to rethink that opinion.

[Cody]

The diving board isn't nearly as precarious as the pic would lead you to believe. Its probably a good 12 feet wide up there. Those rocks weigh tons so little ol me aint going to even budge them. Besides, I can't think of a better way to go than free fall 4000 feet in Yosemite. :rotflmao
I can - I've bungee-jumped. :omg

My idea of better: very, very suddenly, in your sleep, in the middle of a pleasant dream.

[Peteyvee]

At the very least, you'd have plenty of time to rethink that opinion.

Yeah, he could be going "hmm, is it 125 feet per second or 185 feet per second and what's 4000 divided by 125 equal? Hmm, I wonder if I paid the accidental death part of my life insurance bill? Hmm, who gets my guitars?
Hmm," splat!

Doesn't sound like a fun dive to me. I'll take a 10 meter board in a deep pool anyday...

[jamess]

Killcrop - Nice pic.

But what in the world were two fighter jets doing in Yosemite Valley?? I've seen them many times buzzing low around the Eastern Sierra side, but in the Valley itself? You'd think the park would have a problem with that.

[Peteyvee]

Killcrop - Nice pic.

But what in the world were two fighter jets doing in Yosemite Valley?? I've seen them many times buzzing low around the Eastern Sierra side, but in the Valley itself? You'd think the park would have a problem with that.

Who's going to tell the guys from Edwards AFB, Nellis AFB or Groom Lake (area 51) where they can fly? Especially the Groom Lake guys...:omg

[jamess]

^^^ True, but to have looked down on fighter jets from the top of Half Dome they would have to have been flying below 4800' (relative to the ground) AND through a narrow canyon over a lot of people. I'm not saying it didn't happen, but I'd hope that those pilots were reprimanded for their actions.

[Cobra]

^^^ True, but to have looked down on fighter jets from the top of Half Dome they would have to have been flying below 4800' (relative to the ground) AND through a narrow canyon over a lot of people. I'm not saying it didn't happen, but I'd hope that those pilots were reprimanded for their actions. Probably weren't though.
http://cdn.okcimg.com/php/load_okc_image.php/images/0x0/0x0/0/6800606999911499335.jpeg___1_500_1_500_cb94de6a_.p ng

[Killcrop]

^^^ True, but to have looked down on fighter jets from the top of Half Dome they would have to have been flying below 4800' (relative to the ground) AND through a narrow canyon over a lot of people. I'm not saying it didn't happen, but I'd hope that those pilots were reprimanded for their actions.

That wasn't the first time I've seen jets in Yosemite. Back in '98 I was camping up near Mt Coness to observe the stars. The moon was too bright to see any stars. We were laying on a big rock just about to climb in the tents for the night when we heard jets coming. For about 30 minutes fighter jets zipped by in the dark doing some sort of night time maneuvers. The sound was deafening as it bounced of the sheer 2000ft walls of North Peak. A short while after two very big dark planes flew over very low. No lights. It freaked us out.

A couple years later I was at the Grosse Ile Air show and they had a low altitude flyover by a B2 stealth. As I watched the spaceship fly over I was convinced that was the same plane that flew over us that night in the high country.

[IGuitUpIGuitDown]

h-hIVjv_Tik

Old thread, but thought you might want to see this!

Just discovered it on YouTube, but it's the Visor, not the diving board. That's 4,800 feet down, I believe. Would YOU actually film this?

:crazy

This freaks me out.

[IGuitUpIGuitDown]

You must be joking
Take a running jump