SummitPost.org

Hiker went missing at Vernal Falls yesterday. S&R seeking information:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/stensbysar.htm
hoping for a good outcome...

Missing hiker at the top of a waterfall during peak snowmelt flow?

Heard this story before and it doesn't have a happy ending

I find it odd that the wisdom of the NPS causes it to close the most popular trail in CA in the winter (November-April) when conditions are actually pretty good on it 80% of the time, and then open it in May-June when it is at its most hazardous.

Should just be open the entire time. It conditions folks to ignore signs and closures anyway.

> I find it odd that the wisdom of the NPS causes it to close the most popular trail in CA in the winter (November-April) when conditions are actually pretty good on it 80% of the ti

I assume this mostly has to do with the icicles that overhang the upper stairs portion leading up to the Vernal Falls overlook- that and the sheet of ice that forms on the steps.

IMHO that is legitimately unsafe and warrants closure.

I hiked that trail twice during the closure this winter and during neither outing did I encounter any ice or unsafe conditions. Same as when I hiked it twice during the closure last winter.

The problem is that the rangers aren't going to wander up every morning to check the current conditions.

The mist from the falls *does* create icicles and ice along the stairs on that trail. It might not be there all the time but its there enough to warrant the winter closure. Folks can't seem to properly stay away from the river atop the falls- doubt they'll also be able to properly assess the risk of traversing an ice coated staircase. (A staircase where someone managed to slip and die under merely wet conditions 2 springs ago)

Further into the backcountry I'd have a different opinion- but given the tourist traffic that portion of the trail gets I at least see the reasoning for the closure.

^^^^^^

And this is why all the grannies and kids and adults and even the dogs I saw simply were walking around the closure. Might as well not even have it, as it conditions folks to ignore the signs.

Yeah- I agree with you there. But I suspect that the signs have as much to do with liability as they do with actual public safety.

See also the Grand Canyon's PSAR program which has been viewed as a resounding success in reducing incidents on the BA/Kaibab trails but is ridiculously over the top with the warning propaganda.

That unfortunately ended as expected:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/parknews/stensbysar513b.htm

yet another death via cliff/waterfall. does anyone know how many people total have died in Yosemite?

I saw a book about it in the little Wowona store I think while I was there last. A big hardback called Deaths in Yosemite or something like that, I guess it tells you about all the people that have died there.

kewl, i can imagine A LOT of people have died in Yosemite(like several hundred)

They have these for a number of parks:

Grand Canyon: http://www.amazon.com/Over-Edge-Death-G ... 097009731X
Yellowstone: http://www.amazon.com/Death-Yellowstone ... pd_sim_b_2
Yosemite: http://www.amazon.com/Off-Wall-Yosemite ... pd_sim_b_1

looks interesting to read thx