208 days ago
208 days ago
Three summer vacationers tragically fell to their death at Vernal Falls in Yosemite National Park. According to the associated press, one of the victims ignored signs not to enter the Merced River- the tributary that leads to the infamous waterfall. After the first victim was swept away by the vicious current, the second one entered and tried to save him. After the second was tackled by the strong waters, the third member of the party jumped in and tried to save the former two.
As of now, the bodies of the victims have not been found, but park authorities have presumed all three to be dead since surviving the massive fall at Yosemite Park’s Vernal Falls is near impossible.
As mentioned, Vernal Falls is very popular amongst tourists, meaning many witnessed the horrifying event. Adding to the terror, one eye witness stated, “I saw the man’s eyes as he went over the falls… It was devastating.”
We travel for pleasure, enlightenment and various other reasons. But sometimes the trips end in heartbreak and/or even death. Many question the “xtreme” traveler’s motives for wanting to explore so-called “dangerous” areas off the beaten track since they’re considered unsafe and hazardous. Nonetheless, as seen with the recent Yosemite National Park tragedy and other similar misfortunes at “non-xtreme” vacationer hot-spots, bad luck can strike anyone, anywhere at any time.
When it’s your time to go it’s your time to go and there’s nothing you can do about it. For this reason, there should be no reason not to explore faraway places because the chance of something bad happening from Yerevan to Yosemite (although both slim) is equal.
Whether a backpacker or tourist or vacationer, it’s always wise to dismiss hubris and obey warning signs because they (believe it or not) are there for a good reason…
