@@Trackmindlikeme I didn’t realize this before and I was planning on going to Yosemite and I’m sure as hell not going in that water anymore so he may just have saved my life who knows
A wise man told me years ago: "Water is a greater risk than fire, because you don't think it's dangerous and it doesn't immediately burn when you touch it..."
My cousin died here. His name was Omar. His foot barely touched the river and before we knew it, he was in the water trying to get out. He fell down the waterfall and died as soon as he hit the rocks below. They couldn’t find his body until the next evening when it resurfaced in the water. None of his immediate family came to identify his body, except my dad, who was called out to Yosemite at 3 in the morning to identify him. His body was so disfigured and so bloated with water, that he was hardly recognizable. The poor kid died when he was 14. I hope he’s at peace wherever he is now.
When I was about 5 I fell in the Kings river and got pinned under a log that was lodged in some boulders. No one was around my brother was not watching me. My hand was sticking out of the water waving. Suddenly a hand grabbed mine and pulled me out gasping. They were the only people around they said all they saw was this little hand.
I cannot imagine what those Rangers there must go through - I was a Park Ranger in Illinois and always had my hands full with everything from lost children, lost parents, medical emergencies, accidents, suicides, bush fires, etc that I'd usually go home exhausted. At Yosemite it must be 1000x as busy and as crazy!
@@taylorc2542thats not a good strategy for the rangers. when people do break legs someone has to clean them up, and it usually isn't their mother. There are basically zero medical services within a 50 mile radius of yosemite, and rangers can end up in equally dangerous positions trying to save someone. Since this video was made, Yosemite now has a Preventative SAR team to do exactly that- prevent accidents before they happen. It's better to prevent an accident than to respond to one, It's unreal how stupid people act when they are in an unfamiliar environment, but it shouldnt be a death sentence. Rangers are the last thing from bureaucrats, they are public servants
@@connordaniel3263 That's a great strategy for rangers, SAR and helping people get out of trouble is the fun stuff. Parks have become zoos, and the only species in a cage are humans. A little danger is all in good fun. How wild is wilderness if there are more rules than anyplace on earth?
Reminds me of a time when I was leaving Yosemite village. Looking out the window I saw a bear in a meadow. About 20 yards in front of it was a tourist, with a camera approaching it. The things people do to get a good picture blow my mind.
I live in Pasadena California. We have beautiful trials in our local mountains. I often take my dogs to play in the streams. One day some people told me there was a black bear in a tree at the first bridge which is just about 1/4 of a mile from the entrance. It’s a narrow canyon trail with no escape if a bear decides to come after you. I turned around immediately and decided to come back another time. I had heard there were people taking selfie’s below the tree it was in. People are just ignorant to the fact it’s a wild animal. Nothing happened to anyone, but you never know.
I camped on kodiak island AK while working at a cannery. The natives told me it was a bad idea. A month later I had a big kodiak bear in my campground. I never had food at camp. Was told that saved me. I was so freaking scared!
@@glasshalffull8625 You don't understand if there had been food it would have triggered the bear. Tell me of your experience with bears. When one camps food you keep far from you and the cloths you wore while cooking you don't sleep with. At trinidad in northern california my buddy and I forget about bears and left food on the table while we slept nearby. A bear and it's cubs woke us up while they ate the food. A bear with cubs is even more dangerous. We did not move. Your from the city and have no experience.
@@montiliusbeatty9831 I understand completely: You were an idiot to not heed the warning of the natives and were lucky to escape with your life. What ‘YOU’ didn’t understand was my original post was a joke at your expense 😉
My Labrador fell/ jumped into a stream near Yosemite. Labs love water- and have webbed feet. But he couldn't climb back out on the slippery rocks and began to panic. I ran downstream a few feet to a shallower rock and got the dog to swim to me. With my GF sitting on the bank holding my hand for some stability, I waded into the ice cold water and grabbed my dog by the scruff of his neck when he coasted near to help him up to land. It wasn't even whitewater. Just a feeder stream of small falls and pools. If a Labrador can't handle it, neither can you.
There is a theater in Yosemite and they do like a night show of dangers of Yosemite and man...they show the worst of the worst. People falling into the waterfall and your body staying there until summer when it dries up. It’s crazy
@@noonesperfect I looked but didn’t see anything. I visit Yosemite once a year so I got to see it a few times. Yosemite feels like an adult Disneyland but it’s super dangerous.
@@noonesperfectHere's a book. I got lot's of Yosemite stories... www.google.com/search?q=book,+death+in+yosemite&sxsrf=ALeKk00glA1WCLT0Gw_7g3U5JFNComAn7Q:1607155133184&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=pbfN2Rs0cOICuM%252CHXI6tCRpANMCfM%252C%252Fg%252F1jcfs3q4q&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kQXo84iYig4WYRO3zrHHDH6KhjDcg&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwinsr-2r7btAhWmHjQIHbSnAc4Q_B16BAgzEAI&biw=1707&bih=869#imgrc=pbfN2Rs0cOICuM
I often remind people near the edge of a cliff that the edge wasn't always where it is now. At some point in time it was further out, and the rock face broke off, creating a new edge. Ask yourself, is this when a new edge is going to be created?
When I was in high school our science class took a field trip to Letchworth State park in New York, where the Genessee River has carved a 400+plus foot deep gorge, seceral of us talked our previous teacher into letting us tag along with his next class on the Letchworth trip. while hiking a cliffside trail, we encountered a place where some 15-20 feet of rim had fallen into the gorge, and a new piece of trail had been established around the site of the collapse.
Anyone who's not familiar with it should Google granite exfoliation, but the chance of natural rockfall or collapse while you're in the wrong spot is extremely small. The chance of losing your balance, tripping, or slipping, OTOH, is a really good reason to be very careful near the edge of a cliff.
@@NYpaddler Very true. On the other hand we were driving south on the coast highway from far northern California once, where the dropoffs measure in 1,000-plus feet, and encountered a highway crew replacing a chunk of the road that had fallen into the Pacific. I prompted two questions: 1) How often does this happen? and 2) how often does a drunk or a bad driver end up in the ocean? There are no guardrails, and the speed limit is 40-45 mph.
@@salamanca1954 Actual rockfalls are pretty common. It's somebody being in the wrong place when it happens that's uncommon. Kind of like lightning. It happens many millions of times a year in the US, but only about 4 or 500 people actually get hit.
4:42 this woman and man were the most dangerous thing I saw casually walking right next to the edge, beneath their feet the mist covered rock is slanting sharply downward toward the stone-trough river, the current is angry and impossible to swim out of fall = guaranteed death
Certain death indeed...if they were on top of a skyscraper with no protective fence etc. they would probably not even dream of going this close to the edge. This is as deadly!
I was married to the guy whose friend died by slipping off a boulder into moderate rapids there in Yosemite..but his foot became lodged so firmly between boulders under the water and he had to fight to keep his head up..that although the rescue team worked for hours trying to release him he succumbed to the coldness of the water and died. They were 3 teenagers who thought they could handle it..one didn't. Very serious..believe it.
Karen Dixon I'm so sorry! I grew up going to Yosemite and so much of it is dangerous because we are not raised in outdoor settings. Most people aren't mountain men and don't have the experience or knowledge of potential hazards. My sister had a classmate that was killed by a falling rock off half dome.
christine paris .. Oh no..so very sorry. Yes..there are more dangers than realized. Another thing.. you MUST hoist the food coolers up on the pulleys between trees..the rangers provide. A person in our camp group didn't believe it and it brought a bear into the tent next to ours after most were asleep.. No one was in it at the time thankfully but it could have been bad. Someone sent the bear running doing his loud whistling.
There is a reason the sea is used as a symbol of death. In the case you mentioned, depending on latitude if the water is cold but not too cold, hypothermia can happen in hours. During that time even a hose could be given to the person to breathe so it would not have to fight to keep his head above water and panick. And if they had a facemask to give him, he could see the bottom and dislodge himself from the boulders using his hands and upper body strenght to counter the current while he disloges his foot. He could exale air to loose buoyancy momentarily while he works underwater holding to the hose to get a gulp once he runs out of air and continue. If they have a weight belt or a bag of rocks that he could tie to himself, that would work better. The way the foot went in it can go out in the opposite direction specially when the buoyancy is reduced. With a rope across the stream held at each end, he can grab that rope once he is freed. It is just a physics problem.
@@mauriciochiessi7138 very easy to say all that. Put yourself in the actual situation and I imagine it's quite a different story, especially if your head is just barely able to get above water. All but the most experienced would panic and face the same outcome. You also don't know how long he has to wait for expert rescuers to get there, try to help, get the proper equipment in HOPES something will work. I'm just saying, it's easy sitting behind your desk or phone and figure out strategies. It's another to be in the water, freezing, panicking, barely able to breath, and then having the wherewithal to free your foot.
@@WayPastCrazy2525 I have already been in a situation like that in Eklutna Lake, Alaska. My only flotation was the air trapped in the drysuit as I yelled for help from the middle of the lake because I was losing strength to stay afloat with my arms; the water was already reaching my nose as the air left the seal on my neck when I yelled and it was night and no one but one person stayed in that campsite, fortunately. I also survived another near-death situation in the tributary of the Knik river west of Anchorage, AK in a Walgreens raft. I ran out of strength from 8 hours of trying to get to the shore because the current was taking me to the ocean to sure death, I did not have a drysuit on. I was trapped in an Eddy when I woke up. Anyways, these ideas are for the rescuers not for the one drowning, the one drowning obviously cannot do much. If you train your reflexes, then they will be set for life. I seldom slip because my reflexes were trained on ice and stay all my life with me. My feet find their way in milliseconds.
I was lucky enough to visit Yosemite 30 years ago, I went from Massachusetts, I was in awe, I had never seen anything like that, it was spectacularly beautiful, we visited the Redwoods too which was equally stunning, to walk around among the redwoods makes you feel very young, it makes you feel new, it makes you feel like your in the Dinosaur age, honestly. I advise everybody now to visit both if you possibly can, you don't have to leave the united States, we have incredible wonders right here.
@xxx yyy Oh okay I did reread though some of the comments but didn't notice, fortunately you weren't one of the statistics! I must say a few of the comments on here are horrifying.
Been many times, and still am amazed by the shear size of everything. The first time, and the next time you see El Capitan in the valley is like you've landed on another planet. A planet where everything thing is greater than us. Yosemite really makes you feel insignificant, and my best advice is for everyone to respect its power.
One thing to keep in mind is when you make a bad decision you not only put your life at risk, you also put others lives at risk when they come to rescue you.
When I was in high school a very well loved and popular kid went to Yosemite and never came back. Drowned while trying to cross a river. So sad. I’ll never forget that and I’ll always respect the power of Yosemite’s water ways.
I actually saved a fellow PCT hiker who was stuck in rushing waist high current, carrying a 70 LB. pack. He was stuck, the water was freezing. Other hikers on the shore were just watching, even laughing at his demise. I acted quickly, went back in and helped him cross safely. The waters in Yosemite cannot be taken lightly, you can get sucked in and be gone in a second.
Trust me it's dangerous. I accidentally fell into a little fall when I was 18 years old. Man, I can tell you that everyone acts hero until they get sucked into the stream/flowing water of a fall. It's strong as s**t. Be careful. Many of my friends together pulled me out of the stream, so that I am still alive and be a testimony.
I do a lot of fly fishing, and this is what I’ve learned: It’s very hard to judge depth in crystal clear water. The deeper you go, the more buoyant you become. That buoyancy makes it almost impossible to maintain your footing in gently flowing water above your waist. Underwater rocks are ALWAYS slippery, no matter how they look. As stated in this video, help can take too long to arrive. My wife slipped while we were fishing, and broke her ankle. We were in 1 foot of water, and the rescue squad took 45 minutes to arrive. Once they had arrived, it took them forever to navigate the slippery rocks just a few inches below the surface. They ALL fell at least once. We were very familiar with this stream, but things change throughout the year.
I don't know why ANYONE would give this video a "thumbs down." Anyone who gets out of a vehicle in Yosemite should have to watch this before doing so. Thank you NPS YNP for making this, and I will be sharing it.
1969hwrq there's an absence of video of people being killed or injured in this video. Some people expected to see these things and are disappointed like I was.
James Pitts oh shut up. Fucking libtard, this is a place for education and not underestimating nature. Bring politics out. And what you said about trump isn’t true...Hillary laughed at a sexually assaulted victim and accused her of fantasizing with older ppl, which isn’t true.
Giacomo Ferrario That just proves how bad millions of Americans didn't want Hillary and Bill in the White House again! And why I changed my mind to not vote for either one.
We went to a park that had a major river next to it, Sacramento River, it looked so calm on the surface, all dressed in bathing suits and swim trunks, my girlfriend went in and immediately was rushed down, I couldn’t believe how far she was so fast, I ran as fast as I could and used every bit of strength to get to her, when I got to her she was going under I took her and used every bit of strength to get her back to shore, I thought I was going to die, I was 23 and was in peak shape, I had graduated from the L.A. sheriff’s academy and had conditioned myself even several months before I knew I was going to be in the academy,, and ran and worked out for the 2 years before that very regularly, I took it seriously and was never so healthy, I could literally compete with elite athletes and could run at a speed of 11mph for an entire half hour and beyond. when I saved her and got us to shore I felt like I was going to die, dizzy, couldn’t breath or Catch my breath for a good while, I couldn’t stress enough to her how close we were to being killed, my arms and legs were jelly and just gave out as we hit the shore, she explained she had never swimmed before and didn’t even know how(something I didn’t know) that just pissed me off more, if I tried that at my age (20 years later) with carpel tunnel and a bad knee, there is no way I could do that again. We would both be dead or I would have to watch her drown, I’m great full for the experience, and preach it, when I go out I warn people, would be a horrible scary way to go.
I remember about a year ago I was at Yosemite in that exact spot in the thumbnail. I slipped and was clinging on otherwise I’d be thrown into the rocks below. Funny that I came across this video about the dangers of the rivers and the exact spot where I almost got seriously injured or maybe even killed was the main thumbnail for the video.
This is no joke. I almost died at Yosemite trying to cross knee deep water about 2 feet wide. It did not look like it was moving fast, and was not white in the least. It looked completely safe
Even intelligent people sometimes fail to realize that water at 8.3 pounds a (US) gallon x millions of moving gallons is an irresistible force. In AZ we lose stupid people every year who think their vehicles are heavy enough to not wash away in shallow but fast moving flash floods.
I was there in 2013 during a tragic event. On June 1 Aleh Kalman, 19 was swimming above Nevada Falls got sucked into the under tow and pulled him over which is a 700 foot drop. I hiked the Panoramic and Mist Trail the next day and when I got over by Nevada Falls near the bottom is when I found out about it. There were lots of people still searching for him. It was believed that he was stuck under the fall which was keeping him there due to the force of the water. Please heed the warning signs and enjoy the beauty from the trail. It was really sad seeing all the people searching and all the on lookers.
My wife and I spent a week in Yellowstone July of 2020. It is a Martian version of Disney World as the majority of visitors are ill-prepared, out of shape, poorly dressed, and believe its attractions are there for their own enjoyment. Trail markers, warning signs, and common sense were routinely ignored. Yellowstone is a dangerous place for experienced hikers and campers, and yet the dopiest of the dopes wander across its land mine landscape like it's Disney World.
K elitist dipshit, now get down your high horse, Some of those dopes you call, just come there for sight seeing famous spots and Geysers. Yellowstone is not reserved only for elitists like you but for casuals too
How did you spend a week in Yellowstone in 2020 unless you lived in the area. Most of the park attractions were shut down and i am pretty sure overnight camping was prohibited?
I've been to Yosemite five times and without fail, every time I see people on the freaking rocks, on the edges of the water. This last time there was a poster of a boy who had died by getting too close to the water and people still dont care.
Hiked to Upper Yosemite Falls in August, and the water was so dried up that it was merely small pools of water at the top, but no flowing, no falls. Trying to dip his feet, my husband slipped/fell into one of those stagnant pools, because the rocks were so slick, even when dry. It was like watching someone go down a slide. Was hilarious rather than terrifying, but that taught me to keep my distance. It’s no joke how easy it is to fall in if you get too close
I had the privilege of working and living in Yosemite for the concessionaire for 4 years in the mid 1980s. Had wonderful times and made nice friends. Part of my orientation was listening to an older ranger telling us the dangers he had seen.He mentioned body bag and having had to use it. He said follow the warnings, stay on the trail,. Also informed us any laws we broke were in federsl lands--federal law. As for missing 411, i came back to Mississippi ok. I took rock climbing classes, snowshoed, skiied, rode horses and mules and up in Tuolomne. I did swim in the Merced -- bone chilling. There are safe, calm places around the valley and Housekeeping Camp. Yes, there were missing people and accidents. I hated hearing the helicopter go over searching for people. They were found injured or as a fatality. All were accounted for that i know of. If i went hiking or anywhere, i was with someone. I look back fondly of those years. If you do go check Ranger led talks during the day and evenings. I did that sometimes on off days when i could.
Interesting perspective. For someone interested in doing the hike and climbing half dome, would you recommend harnessing oneself to the cables? Is the hike itself and sub dome dangerous as well? I’ve read varying things
You'll understand how sketchy rivers are once you flyfish. I've been swept in slow moving water only waist high. Luckily no whitewater / rapids where I was
@@maxkrutchkoff6711 Totally. Happened to me once in Yellowstone in summer 2019. The flow was not even that fast from the look of it. Taught me a first hand lesson - Never underestimate the power of a water flow.
Man I watched so many of these videos before I hiked Yosemite in 2010, I was so scared that I didn't even touch the water with my toes!!! I was 16 lol but man was so afraid of getting sucked in
The Ranger has very good points. It does not take much water to float, also look downstream. I always naturally stay out of the foaming waters but I learned something today, you cannot float in aerated water. If you were paying attention in your physics classes you would know that any water that reaches your waist will carry you and even if it is shallower than your waist, it can still carry you if you slip which is very likely if you cannot see the bottom. Once you slip even if you stand up you will be swept because of less weight applied to the bottom due to buoyancy and you have momentum and the horizontal component of velocity will exceed the coefficient of kinetic friction with the rocks or gravel at the bottom. Plain physics!
I used to run from Yosemite Valley Mountaineering Club in Curry Village up to the visor on Half Dome Saturday Mornings. About 18.5 miles round trip. I was running to beat my best time. So I did not like stopping. But you see these people walk right out on these wet rocks that are so slippery you're almost guaranteed to fall into the water. Add a little heat and everybody thinks the calm looking water that's two seconds from plummeting over the waterfall, is some sort of resort pool. I screamed at so many people. I would always be at the whim of what the weather at the top of the Sierra's was going to dish out that day. Getting to the very top of Half Dome requires scrambling up some steel cables and 2 x 4 wooden stops. Lightening loves Half Dome. It's got to have the highest mortality rate for death by lightening in the world. Or close to it. I've been just yards from the top and see a thunderhead threatening in the distance. I stop, turn around and move down the mountain as fast as I can. No need tempting fate here. I shout at everybody to get the hell down. Almost no one listens. If you are up on the cables and the rain starts, you might as well be on ice, trying to hold onto a cold wet 1 1/2" steel cable you can not stop from falling from if you let go. The last time I turned around just as I got to the top, and was denied the visor, I missed the following weekend and sure enough, some guy slid off the mountain, couldn't hold on in the cold rain. And then I think there was another lightening death. And then some more people over the waterfalls. Now, because so many people cannot differentiate between a theme park and the wilderness where safety measures have not been incorporated into the design, they started a lottery type system to get permits to go up the mountain passed the waterfalls. This is to limit the amount of people. Supposedly to reduce deaths. It ended my weekend running. I've never been to the top since. I don't believe it's good thing, deaths still happen. People feel pressured to "Get to the Top," even when the weather is dangerous because they can't just try again tomorrow or next week. They have to go through the process of getting another permit.
Interesting points. Sounds like people who are local and have business being there ought to be able to get a separate type of pass. Happy running buddy!
Ty for sharing your story’s and spot on wisdom here, I hope someone reads this and it saves their life! The last time we visited was a real eye opener to the people that were there and how very little they knew about where they exactly were, a Nationally set aside piece of wilderness. After being handed numerous flier’s and an actual paper w/pages describing why camper’s should use the provided bear boxes, and what those that don’t, have the shared responsibility in that possible bear demise that becomes used to humans leaving food out for them to steal day & night. Long story, but a bear grazed me in a definite beeline to get a cooler left out on a campsite next to us, and I’ll never forget the noise in the darkness, that bear made pounding that cooler open in the stream bed! Our neighbors on the other side, upon sharing what happened, and I swear, said- Why don’t they feed the poor animals here?!!! I feel ya regarding your hiking place being taken away. We don’t want to even visit, and my heart lives in that park and surrounding area! And, our story happened in 1995! I’m third generation (& our son was forth), that loves our Nation Park treasures, especially spending many family hours in Yosemite upper and lower campgrounds. I don’t have a solution, and apologize for the length of my comment, I don’t want the wilderness tamed, it’s a treasure for all bc it’s not. But there’s a palm to forehead video on here, of a group that attempted your favorite hike up the Dome, that I recommend everyone watch for what not to do. Total cringe as they say lol. Again, thank you for sharing and long may you run (no pun intended 🙏💜✨
It happened to me in Colorado. I felt it when I got in a creek knee deep. it was waaay smaller than this one. I was able to get out but almost got swept away at the knees. My buddy did not believ me . He went in to see for himself and got swept at knee height. luckily there was a bridge with a wire going across about a foot over the water. My buddy saw it while sucked under water at a depth of about 8 ft. so his head was afew feet below. He said he pushed off from the bottom came up and grabbed the wire. His body immediately straightend out like he was being pulled by a motor boat. he was able to go hand over hand and get close to shore where I grabbed his hand and pulled him ashore.. Beware !
Me and my family have been camping in Yosemite for years and years, so I'm used to the rivers and what parts are okay to swim in and such. Several years ago there was this big family who were in a tiny beach area next to the river. The spot they were next to was right at a bend in he river, where the current suddenly turns. And so this one guy in the family, who might have not been able to swim, gets pulled underwater by the current. I didn't see him go under, but I saw others pull him out of the water. But by then it had been too late and he had drowned. It's really a sad thing to see. You go to places like Yosemite to enjoy the beauty and wildlife, but sometimes forget how dangerous it can be.
I took a dip in one of the rivers down by the camp sites. It was the coldest water I ever been in, not even refreshing really, it hurt like needles and even though looked calm it had a current with it too. Too beautiful I couldn't resist.
I have always had big respect for water, one of nature's most powerful forces. Did not know foamy water was that dangerous. More knowledge. Thank you for teaching us.
The stupidest thing I've ever done as an adult was, after hiking up Multnomah falls, in Portland, Oregon, then stepping to the edge of where the water drops, just to look at the pool way below. I could have slipped as those rocks were moss-covered and moist. I love the outdoors and being in it, but looking back it was a very stupid thing to do.
Those were very good tips, thank you! I never realized it was so dangerous. I know from diving and swimming in the ocean, you can never predict what can go wrong, even just a few yards out from the beach. Water is 1000 times denser than air, so has tremendous force. Imagine the force of the wind in a hurricane. Its only air. Now imagine that same force x 1000 = tsunami. Buildings crumble. Nature is formidable. This was a good video.
Great video! Thanks for sharing, it might save some lives. I work as a canyon guide in the north of Spain and many of the accidents are because of ignorance. This video shows the power of nature and human capacity to deal with it..... So helpful, thanks for sharing! 🙏💚
When i was around the age of 8-10 i hit my foot on a metal staircase underwater in the child section of an indoor pool. That shallow water was, from the outside, the least threatening sight you could imagine. But as the metal spiked in my foot i lost grip went under water and screamed sucking in water. Had my father not paid extrem attention for no reason i would have drowned in a pool that doesnt even cover my belly button now. When my brother was around the same age a bit younger he got flipped over with his swimring(dont know if you call it that the things kids use before they learn to swim) 5 meters off the shore of hungary he would have died had my father again not been extremly cautious. So since my father saved both his sons from drowning my respect for the all surrounding liquid is fortified and i will raise my kids accordingly as soon as the day comes. My condolences to all who didnt have their guardian angel like me to save them.
Once the snowmelt is over, the river has little if any whitewater. But that valley is awesome! I favor wandering along the river and take some awesome valley pictures! Beware of long and steep trails like hiking up to HALF DOME summit or the hike up to top of Yosemite Falls, which are 2 trails for serious adult hikers. Don't go unless you're ready, and have mountain hiking experience.Enjoy and be safe!! It's one of the most beautiful valleys in North America!! The video is excellent!!
this reminds me of me of a few years back when i went white water rafting a few years back in colorado. it was an extremely hot day, but the water was runoff from the mountains, so it was easily in the 90s and the water was just over 30 degrees. since it was such a hot summer, the water levels were much higher than usual. a group of 3 rafts worth of us started off strong, but after the 2nd rapid, it was obvious that the instructors were a bit concerned. they got increasingly distressed as they told us what to do, yelling at points. i was on the 2nd raft set off, and we ended up loosing the first one since it was so fast. i wasn’t worried, they said flipping is highly unusual and unlikely, especially on the intermediate course we were on. then we hit another rapid that had 2 large dips. the first went fine, but on the second, we capsized. i immediately dash my foot on a rock, and just get swept by the water. it was freezing cold, i was practically in shock from getting submerged. it was easily the scariest minutes of my life, getting tossed like a ragdoll in freezing water. i somehow ended up near the raft, and one of the people on board grabbed my arm, only to realize i wasn’t their sister and let go. i pulled myself in, and 2 other rafters were still not in, and i somehow found the strength to pull them in. the adrenaline kicked in and i started paddling with the instructor, who informed us that the first raft had also flipped, and they were missing 2 rafters. the one ended up being taken away in an ambulance, and the other required rescuing from some rangers who were called to the scene. i was fine, some bad bruises and a bone bruise, but one of the rafters i helped in ended up having secondary drowning and got pneumonia. honestly, one of the scariest moments in my life.
Wowza!! This is a great share. So happy to know you were able to get in the raft and help others. I can imagine the glare you gave the a** that let you go. Hope you and you’re family are safe and well. God bless
I was walking those paths 3 years ago & was terrified of the families that allowed the kids to run ahead on the wet slippery rock trail, I kept saying 'hold the children's hands' but I guess I appeared like a whacky old lady, even to me, but I was aware of those crashing white waves and so easily how a child can slip. I had to pray since they didn't listen to me and all was safe that day.
@grogdizzy strange sounds like you have no idea about the power of prayer trust me, pray to Jesus & your life will never be the same when you connect. I mean like never the same once you walk thru that door. its easy just talk to Him
@grogdizzy I see your point when you include all gods. My God, my Savior, His name is the only God that is today a common swear word. No other god has the power & so is not worth even cursing it''s own worthless name. I am sure you are intelligent & you know of whom I speak & of Whom I rely on on.
Happened to me. Slipped on a rock, fell into the fast rapids on a small waterfall in the river feeding Florence Lake ( 37°14'32.84"N, 118°56'35.93"W for image in google earth) in the High Sierra. Within seconds I was swept under a bridge and over 200 feet downstream. If I hadn't been young, a very good swimmer, life guard trained, I probably wouldn't be writing this. Stay safe.
If you're gonna be getting high, you may as well bring a body bag. Well... Unless you stay on the trail. Then by all means, smoke 'em if you got 'em. And stay on the effing trail.
Went tubing on the river with friends all the time in the summer. We always went on the big rapids parts until one summer when we unexpectedly came across a giant tree that must’ve fallen across the river during the winter. There was a little section that you could get around going down the rapids if you hit it just right! My friends successfully did so but not me, I was on the other side of the water and I slammed into the tree and got sucked underneath backwoods by the the force of the water. The white, blue and brown water and bubbles all round with the thunder sound of the water above still give nightmares thinking of it. I held my breath for as long as I could until I could fight to the surface but got sucked under again from another tree that fell over during winter. “Way too slippery to hang onto” Once again I fought for my life to get to the top and when I did I swam to a rock on the side of river when the water started to calm after rapids. It took me 20 minutes until I could get my strength to even pull myself up and get back on the inner tube and finish out the run because we were a mile away or more away from our car and no way to walk back because we were so in the middle of nowhere🤦 I’ve never been on the river since, way too dangerous! I just got lucky, someone else the next day on the same part of the river didn’t:( P.S Stick with swimming pools!
When I visited Yosemite in 2017 and went to Vernal Falls, hiking along the precarious trail from the base of the waterfall to the crest, I had no idea that someone had gotten killed by slipping and falling into the river just a few hours earlier. When I found out a day or so later it was rather haunting. The poor fellow was a bartender named Kevin Nelson. It’s an amazing experience but extremely dangerous. Stay safe if you visit!
Vernal Fall is my favorite waterfall. I visit Yosemite multiple times a year on day trips. I always see some people being careless. I so happened to be in the park, on Sentinel Dome, the day three young people in their 20’s were swept over Vernal Fall 10 years ago. They entered Merced River 25 feet from the edge of the Fall. They were swept over. I didn’t know it at the time, I just wondered why an emergency vehicle came charging up Glacier Point Road with sirens blaring. When I came home I found out what had happened. It took one month for the river to give up its final victim. There’s a book, written by a park ranger, Off the Wall, death in Yosemite” (Micheal P Ghiglieri) that should be required reading for anybody visiting any National Park. You will be shocked how little it may take to end your life. Just being at water’s edge filling one’s water bottle has proven to be some people’s final task in life. It took me months to get over the awfulness of that situation. I have posters of Vernal Fall in my home. I am still thinking of the 3 unfortunate young people every time I look at my posters. Please everybody, heed the warnings!
It doesn’t even take fast moving water or wearing waders to get in trouble, anyone who spends much time fishing knows that. Wet clothes alone can be the end of you.
I worked as a Rescue Helicopter Pilot in Canada’s National Parks we got called out numerous times for people in the rivers or lakes most times it was just a retrieval not a rescue. We called these operations “Looking for Bob” referring to a body bobbing up and down in the river..it was gallows humor, a coping mechanism - it was always grim . Most victims were oblivious to or worse yet ignored the danger. No matter how strong a swimmer you might be the river will always defeat you..
i learned a massive lesson on the power of water vs 'the fool' in the north johnstone river... calm flowing rapids water is tremendously deceiving.... i went down and was held down helpless by the massive water flow passing thru rock poolfloor's dumped broken boulder sieve for two minutes.... i crawled over the porous rocks holdin my breath up to the dim light above... nearly passing out but i was in the australian military at the time and fit so... huge impression on my survival instinct from that....
I remember when my friend went into the water, his head hit the bottom in under a second and got knocked out; It’s like going under free fall, you don’t float at all. He died later due to internal bleeding and due to his head being smashed to half the size it was beforehand.
Lost my family in this dam merced river years ago rest up Mario and Lance Thomas 5 and 6 yrs old you are missed Auntie Elaine💝 of Compton Ca.We had a family reunion my aunt was a nurse tried to make the drive after a shift with my grandmother and two young cousins .Most of family was already at camp site.A ranger came an told us my aunt fell to sleep at wheel and plunged in the Merced River my aunt was able to get everybody on the hood of the car.My young cousin fell or jumped off the hood his brother followed suit behind him and my aunt went after both of them all killed by the treachous tides of the river my 90 year old grandmother was rescued off the hood but succumb later to death grieved this tragedy the rest of her life..
And plus the water is freezing cold, even during the summertime. A couple of friends and I took a quick dip on top of upper Yosemite on calmer parts of the river; it took us less than 10 seconds to get out and chill by the rocks. Those 10 seconds felt like a million needles stabbing our whole body.
For all the people pretending they are thrilled at all the deaths, thinking it "thins the herd", the mistake is simply inexperience and lack of knowledge in most cases. As a kid you're taught to look before crossing the street. You know where parts of your city has gangs, what night of the week the drunks are driving, hundreds of variables that keep you alive in the cement jungle. Early explorers were adept at reading sign. They could check weather, judge rapids, track animals, smell the breeze and hear sounds on the wind, giving them information to keep safe. Most people don't have that. It's easy to judge other people when it's not your little brother, your cousin or friend. No one deserves to die painfully because of an accident or mistaken judgement. Lacking empathy just makes you sociopathic, not edgy.
@@martinruddell2682 Covid is killing daughters, sons, mothers and fathers, friends and relatives. It is not "thinning the herd" . I really hope you get it, the world would be a better place without an insensitive asshole who thinks disease is edgy and cool to joke about. I had it, and my best friend. I got through it without damage, but she didn't. I don't want to lose someone who is the last family I have. You're an awful person.
Great video and wise words of caution. I’m familiar with all those locations and countless others in the sierras, slick granite and sheer volume of water should not be underestimated at any site. Thank u for making it.
Unfortunately D. J. A. the 19 yr old inexperienced in life and zero common sense guy would laugh at this with some comment about people are chicken ; then try to cross the stream. Nothing like learning the hard way. In these cases it's the last lesson he'll ever learn. Sad
Many times I have seen people getting in the water very close to the edge of both Vernal and Nevada Falls. Each is over 400 feet high. Often, it seems like they have been foreign visitors who regard Yosemite like it's a trip to Disneyland. They seem to think it's without danger whether it's getting in the water in a dangerous area, approaching wildlife, not understanding the risks of certain hikes, or simply not having the right equipment or supplies. They never seem to realize this place can hurt you, the high altitude and dry air dehydrate you quickly, slick spots on the granite will make you fall, you can drown, animals will hurt you if you invade their space, lightening strikes, and falling rocks all occur. I think Yosemite is our most beautiful park, my favorite (and I have been to almost all of them), but it is unforgiving. I think only Yellowstone and Glacier back country pose more risk in the lower 48. A friend and I were hiking to Half dome from Happy Isle, up the Mist Trail when we came across some other hikers at the top of Vernal in the water within 30 yards of the edge. We yelled at them trying to get them to come back. They just laughed it off. The site of it was so upsetting we had to move on because I didn't want to see them go over. We saw a similar thing a the top of Nevada that same day. What pisses me off, is some Ranger or SAR team is going to have to risk their safety to recover the body(ies) because of someone's mindless stupidity. Someone is going to have to call that parent or spouse. We never heard the helicopter that day, so I assume they got out safely. My wife and I were in the park when a 15 YO kid went over Yosemite Falls. When you hear a helicopter fly into the valley, someone has gotten hurt or worse. That same trip, I had a young lady ask, seriously, if I would catch her if she slipped. I was going up the cable stairs on Half Dome and she was going down. She was over her head and had only a poor quality pair of shoes on. It's hard to appreciate that leg of the hike unless you have been on it. The pictures don't do it justice. It really is steep (45 degrees), slick, drops off on both sides, and has exfoliations to go over. It's dangerous to the unexperienced or ill-equipped. Half Dome is permit only now, which cuts down of how many go up. Similar to Yosemite (it's in the same area of the Sierra Nevada), I've seen the same things in Mammoth and June. We often go up there for Thanksgiving, and on two occasions I've seen people walk out on the ice over Twin Lakes. We were yelling to the guy to come back but he just waved us off. He, at one point began jumping on the ice he was standing on. The level of stupidity boggles the mind. This isn't like midwest ice that you can drive on. There are too many warm days for the ice to get thick enough to walk on and there are many stories of people drowning after going through. His buddy was taking picture of him while all of this was happening. I told him how dangerous this was and all he could say was "It's okay...it's okay" I don't think he really understood. You could see water within 100 feet of where this guy was. He was part of a group of folks who got off a tour bus. He had on what I would describe as business casual plus a jacket. No one was going to be able to save this guy if he went in, but someone was sure as hell going to have to risk their safety to get his body. I guess I can be "that guy", but really, how stupid are people?
@@katiejo1095 Me too! Sobering and horrifying. My wife read Off The wall to me as we drove back to the Bay area from Yosemite. We bought it in a store in the valley as we were leaving. One of the most terrifying books I've ever read. Later we bought the Grand Canyon book. Also horrific.
I've been to Yosemite 4 times and have always followed park rules. You're in one of God's greatest creations, why ruin your chance of fully enjoying it!
There are no park rules. Only recommendations. You can climb el capitan with no rope, so Im pretty sure you can stand next to the edge of any cliff you damn well want.
I hiked a section of the PCT in 2019 and went through Yosemite when it was near peak snow-melt and flooding. The water crossings were by far most dangerous and nerve-racking part of it all!
Water crossings seem so scary! I watched a few on Dixie's channel and always had my heart in my throat. Have only ever had to do a few, and had one go poorly, but those few experiences with the power of rivers were more than enough; watching other people cross is so stressful. Did you have any moments on water crossings where you regretted the attempt?
@@quailypoes I can't say I regret any of the crossings we (I was with friends) made, because everyone in the group made it through all of them, we NEEDED to cross them, and we looked for the best possible point to cross for at least 30 minutes every time. There were some that got scary for the shorter or less balanced people in the group, but teamwork is a big help in those instances. If I were to come to terms with regretting anything about it, it would just be the timing of getting to the Sierra with so much snowpack remaining. We started March 24th that year. I have a friend on the trail right now who started March 20th and he just got to the Sierra earlier in the year than we did, but with a fraction of the snow that we had. That's just how the trail changes every year. Thanks for the response and question!
Yea went up at springtime during a heavy snow melt with a dumbass boyfriend encouraging my teenage son to be a daredevil on the wet rocks. I thought I was having a heart attack. Dumped the dumbass boyfriend!!
Visiting Yosemite last week's August 92 was not surprised by the water temp. As we to have similar dangerous waterways in Australia.. of note The most dangerous is The Boulders near Babinda Nth QLD, these days selfies are the most dangerous combined with ego. Nature has some amazing spots to share with us..all is good whilst we admire with total respect. Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Golden Gate Bridge,Death Valley for ever lovingly in my thoughts..along with many other area's and experiences..so loved my U.S trip.
I was almost a statistic. I was following my older sisters hiking around one of the falls, I stepped on some algae, slipped and went down towards the basin, and the waterfall. I don't remember which fall it was. But somehow I flipped flopped my way off the algae with help of guardian angel no doubt. I just barely missed falling into the basin where I surely would have gone over the falls. My sisters were oblivious. Some years later, a dear friend from church and two others got swept into one of the rivers and drowned, the two others clung to rocks and were saved. Yosemite is a beautiful, but very, very dangerous place. I climbed half dome without knowing what I was getting into. I was with a church group, 16 years old. I had no idea how difficult it was. I had tennis shoes on, it was extremely dangerous, steep, slippery. I can't believe I'm still alive, all the crazy things I did when I was a kid.
Hawaii is also very beautiful but also very deadly. A lot of the dangerous places in Hawaii don't have guardrails and signs like the National Parks do on the mainland.
I was there visiting for the day around 2005 in spring time right after a heavy snow melt and walked up along the river to the waterfall and told my son and my boyfriend that I had never seen the water that wild in all the trips I've taken there. As we were leaving the park we heard that the valley was starting to flood and they were telling people to evacuate the park. And then later we heard that several people perished that day...one from slipping from the waterfall.
When you enter Yosemite, it's a spooky feeling. It's a untamed, raw, Mother Nature at her finest. Just remember that mother is all about survival of the fittest. She will humble you.
And what's interesting about that is that the valley is hardly untamed. I'm in the wilderness (and Sierra) a lot, and live up high in the mountains. I've been to the valley once and won't go back. Personally, I think guardrails and asphalt contribute to accidents.
Wow, I had no clue about the water being deceiving in calm areas or the foam waters making it almost impossible to swim or breath. I knew about it being swift, slamming you into the rocks or slippery rocks. Thank you.
Good info in this video. I've been there many times as a kid in each of the seasons, Spring, Summer, Fall, & Winter. A beautiful and fun place for sure.
You know they have no idea what they're doing when you see them with their hands in the pockets casually strolling on the trails. Then you see those in sandals
There are similar books about the dangers at Yellowstone as well as Grand Canyon. Sadly, these beautiful places truly bring out the moron in some people.
In 1975, my fiancé and I had hiked to the top of Vernal Falls. We had gone a little ways upstream and I waded into, as I tell myself now, the water that becomes Vernal Falls. It was about two feet deep and enjoyable. One step backward, and a drop off I had not seen of about two MORE feet had me almost fall backward into that water. I felt a definite twinge of fear. I looked into her eyes, which were instantly red with tears. She is begging me to get out, and I let myself get grouchy thinking it wasn’t that big of a deal. We wed three months later in a marriage that lasted 26 years. Now we are at divorce plus 20 years. Last year, I started Googling some satellite pictures of Yosemite including the area at the top of Vernal Falls. I have realized how close to danger I really was in 1975, and I knew how wrong I was in the way I reacted to her fear. I sent her the most sincere apology (45 years late). Although they say that some things are never late. Then I shudder to think how close I was that day to never get the chance to apologize.
The trail up to half dome by the waterfall (misty trail iirc) seemed like it could stand having railing put in at least at certain points. The rocks were very uneven and wet, I slipped and nearly fell. Don't think I've felt more fear for my life than in that moment.
Thank you to the two guys who gave permission to use their story- I’m sure it helps save lives.
Wrong. Even with stories like these ppl still gonna risk it no matter what.
@@Trackmindlikeme Yeah people are still gonna do it, but with this video a ton less. 😂😬🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
If only the dozens of signs, warnings and common sense was enough.....
@@Trackmindlikeme I didn’t realize this before and I was planning on going to Yosemite and I’m sure as hell not going in that water anymore so he may just have saved my life who knows
A wise man told me years ago: "Water is a greater risk than fire, because you don't think it's dangerous and it doesn't immediately burn when you touch it..."
That is very wise indeed.
It aint what you dont know that gets you into trouble, its what you know for sure that just ain't so
“you can stop a fire but can't stop a flood”
@@YMTYMY True! Very true!
It is very deadly especially during spring run off. It doesn't matter if you are an elite swimmer.
My cousin died here. His name was Omar. His foot barely touched the river and before we knew it, he was in the water trying to get out. He fell down the waterfall and died as soon as he hit the rocks below. They couldn’t find his body until the next evening when it resurfaced in the water. None of his immediate family came to identify his body, except my dad, who was called out to Yosemite at 3 in the morning to identify him. His body was so disfigured and so bloated with water, that he was hardly recognizable. The poor kid died when he was 14. I hope he’s at peace wherever he is now.
God dam
Sorry for your loss.
Heartbreaking :( I'm so sorry.
Damn Rest in Peace🙏
Damn I just read this again, nature is such a deadly but beautiful force
When I was about 5 I fell in the Kings river and got pinned under a log that was lodged in some boulders. No one was around my brother was not watching me. My hand was sticking out of the water waving. Suddenly a hand grabbed mine and pulled me out gasping. They were the only people around they said all they saw was this little hand.
God
Holy shit you cant thank those people enough
Holy hell dude, I'd make sure they sat well after I work my second chance self's butt off to make it happen.
@@Petri_Pennala Glory to God
That makes my heart break
I cannot imagine what those Rangers there must go through - I was a Park Ranger in Illinois and always had my hands full with everything from lost children, lost parents, medical emergencies, accidents, suicides, bush fires, etc that I'd usually go home exhausted. At Yosemite it must be 1000x as busy and as crazy!
Where in Illinois? Shawnee or Starved Rock?
Rangers need to stop being bureaucrats and let people break a leg.
@@taylorc2542thats not a good strategy for the rangers. when people do break legs someone has to clean them up, and it usually isn't their mother. There are basically zero medical services within a 50 mile radius of yosemite, and rangers can end up in equally dangerous positions trying to save someone. Since this video was made, Yosemite now has a Preventative SAR team to do exactly that- prevent accidents before they happen. It's better to prevent an accident than to respond to one, It's unreal how stupid people act when they are in an unfamiliar environment, but it shouldnt be a death sentence. Rangers are the last thing from bureaucrats, they are public servants
@@connordaniel3263 That's a great strategy for rangers, SAR and helping people get out of trouble is the fun stuff. Parks have become zoos, and the only species in a cage are humans. A little danger is all in good fun. How wild is wilderness if there are more rules than anyplace on earth?
@@taylorc2542 That's like saying firemen should just let houses burn. Taking care of one another is what makes us human. (Most of us, anyway.)
Reminds me of a time when I was leaving Yosemite village. Looking out the window I saw a bear in a meadow. About 20 yards in front of it was a tourist, with a camera approaching it. The things people do to get a good picture blow my mind.
I live in Pasadena California. We have beautiful trials in our local mountains. I often take my dogs to play in the streams. One day some people told me there was a black bear in a tree at the first bridge which is just about 1/4 of a mile from the entrance. It’s a narrow canyon trail with no escape if a bear decides to come after you. I turned around immediately and decided to come back another time. I had heard there were people taking selfie’s below the tree it was in. People are just ignorant to the fact it’s a wild animal. Nothing happened to anyone, but you never know.
I camped on kodiak island AK while working at a cannery. The natives told me it was a bad idea. A month later I had a big kodiak bear in my campground. I never had food at camp. Was told that saved me. I was so freaking scared!
@@montiliusbeatty9831 Dude, ‘YOU, were the food!!!’
@@glasshalffull8625 You don't understand if there had been food it would have triggered the bear. Tell me of your experience with bears. When one camps food you keep far from you and the cloths you wore while cooking you don't sleep with. At trinidad in northern california my buddy and I forget about bears and left food on the table while we slept nearby. A bear and it's cubs woke us up while they ate the food. A bear with cubs is even more dangerous. We did not move. Your from the city and have no experience.
@@montiliusbeatty9831 I understand completely: You were an idiot to not heed the warning of the natives and were lucky to escape with your life. What ‘YOU’ didn’t understand was my original post was a joke at your expense 😉
My Labrador fell/ jumped into a stream near Yosemite. Labs love water- and have webbed feet. But he couldn't climb back out on the slippery rocks and began to panic. I ran downstream a few feet to a shallower rock and got the dog to swim to me. With my GF sitting on the bank holding my hand for some stability, I waded into the ice cold water and grabbed my dog by the scruff of his neck when he coasted near to help him up to land. It wasn't even whitewater. Just a feeder stream of small falls and pools.
If a Labrador can't handle it, neither can you.
Good story but there are a lot of situations in water a human could handle that no dog could.
Imma be honest bro I think I can handle most water if not all water better than a Labrador
@@boytastic8879 ahah no you can't, don't fool yourself
@@Miguel-qf3zm are you being fr right now?
Labs are fast swimmers. I've raced him many times and I have no chance. It sucks. Lol! I'm glad you saved your lab!
Glad I watched this. I'm that guy who would be like "Oh hey this looks like a cool spot right out _____" slip, gone.
There is a theater in Yosemite and they do like a night show of dangers of Yosemite and man...they show the worst of the worst. People falling into the waterfall and your body staying there until summer when it dries up. It’s crazy
@@DuckShampoo is there documentary in specific , probably it will be available free to watch online? but that's crazy, thx
@@noonesperfect I looked but didn’t see anything. I visit Yosemite once a year so I got to see it a few times. Yosemite feels like an adult Disneyland but it’s super dangerous.
@@DuckShampoo ohk, no worries. Lucky you, definitely great adrenaline, solo traveler/ soothing place..... thx for search
@@noonesperfectHere's a book. I got lot's of Yosemite stories... www.google.com/search?q=book,+death+in+yosemite&sxsrf=ALeKk00glA1WCLT0Gw_7g3U5JFNComAn7Q:1607155133184&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=pbfN2Rs0cOICuM%252CHXI6tCRpANMCfM%252C%252Fg%252F1jcfs3q4q&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kQXo84iYig4WYRO3zrHHDH6KhjDcg&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwinsr-2r7btAhWmHjQIHbSnAc4Q_B16BAgzEAI&biw=1707&bih=869#imgrc=pbfN2Rs0cOICuM
I often remind people near the edge of a cliff that the edge wasn't always where it is now. At some point in time it was further out, and the rock face broke off, creating a new edge. Ask yourself, is this when a new edge is going to be created?
When I was in high school our science class took a field trip to Letchworth State park in New York, where the Genessee River has carved a 400+plus foot deep gorge, seceral of us talked our previous teacher into letting us tag along with his next class on the Letchworth trip. while hiking a cliffside trail, we encountered a place where some 15-20 feet of rim had fallen into the gorge, and a new piece of trail had been established around the site of the collapse.
Anyone who's not familiar with it should Google granite exfoliation, but the chance of natural rockfall or collapse while you're in the wrong spot is extremely small. The chance of losing your balance, tripping, or slipping, OTOH, is a really good reason to be very careful near the edge of a cliff.
@@NYpaddler Very true. On the other hand we were driving south on the coast highway from far northern California once, where the dropoffs measure in 1,000-plus feet, and encountered a highway crew replacing a chunk of the road that had fallen into the Pacific. I prompted two questions: 1) How often does this happen? and 2) how often does a drunk or a bad driver end up in the ocean? There are no guardrails, and the speed limit is 40-45 mph.
@@salamanca1954 Actual rockfalls are pretty common. It's somebody being in the wrong place when it happens that's uncommon. Kind of like lightning. It happens many millions of times a year in the US, but only about 4 or 500 people actually get hit.
"Geological time includes now"
4:42 this woman and man were the most dangerous thing I saw
casually walking right next to the edge, beneath their feet the mist covered rock is slanting sharply downward toward the stone-trough river, the current is angry and impossible to swim out of
fall = guaranteed death
Seriously! I just saw than and was like....those 2 are just ASKING for trouble!
Ialready oanicked just watching this
I especially thought he was going to slip.
They just do not seem to get it. I guess that is why there are deaths every year. Yosemite does not give second chances.
Certain death indeed...if they were on top of a skyscraper with no protective fence etc. they would probably not even dream of going this close to the edge. This is as deadly!
I was married to the guy whose friend died by slipping off a boulder into moderate rapids there in Yosemite..but his foot became lodged so firmly between boulders under the water and he had to fight to keep his head up..that although the rescue team worked for hours trying to release him he succumbed to the coldness of the water and died. They were 3 teenagers who thought they could handle it..one didn't. Very serious..believe it.
Karen Dixon
I'm so sorry! I grew up going to Yosemite and so much of it is dangerous because we are not raised in outdoor settings. Most people aren't mountain men and don't have the experience or knowledge of potential hazards. My sister had a classmate that was killed by a falling rock off half dome.
christine paris .. Oh no..so very sorry. Yes..there are more dangers than realized. Another thing.. you MUST hoist the food coolers up on the pulleys between trees..the rangers provide. A person in our camp group didn't believe it and it brought a bear into the tent next to ours after most were asleep.. No one was in it at the time thankfully but it could have been bad. Someone sent the bear running doing his loud whistling.
There is a reason the sea is used as a symbol of death. In the case you mentioned, depending on latitude if the water is cold but not too cold, hypothermia can happen in hours. During that time even a hose could be given to the person to breathe so it would not have to fight to keep his head above water and panick. And if they had a facemask to give him, he could see the bottom and dislodge himself from the boulders using his hands and upper body strenght to counter the current while he disloges his foot. He could exale air to loose buoyancy momentarily while he works underwater holding to the hose to get a gulp once he runs out of air and continue. If they have a weight belt or a bag of rocks that he could tie to himself, that would work better. The way the foot went in it can go out in the opposite direction specially when the buoyancy is reduced. With a rope across the stream held at each end, he can grab that rope once he is freed. It is just a physics problem.
@@mauriciochiessi7138 very easy to say all that. Put yourself in the actual situation and I imagine it's quite a different story, especially if your head is just barely able to get above water. All but the most experienced would panic and face the same outcome.
You also don't know how long he has to wait for expert rescuers to get there, try to help, get the proper equipment in HOPES something will work.
I'm just saying, it's easy sitting behind your desk or phone and figure out strategies. It's another to be in the water, freezing, panicking, barely able to breath, and then having the wherewithal to free your foot.
@@WayPastCrazy2525 I have already been in a situation like that in Eklutna Lake, Alaska. My only flotation was the air trapped in the drysuit as I yelled for help from the middle of the lake because I was losing strength to stay afloat with my arms; the water was already reaching my nose as the air left the seal on my neck when I yelled and it was night and no one but one person stayed in that campsite, fortunately. I also survived another near-death situation in the tributary of the Knik river west of Anchorage, AK in a Walgreens raft. I ran out of strength from 8 hours of trying to get to the shore because the current was taking me to the ocean to sure death, I did not have a drysuit on. I was trapped in an Eddy when I woke up. Anyways, these ideas are for the rescuers not for the one drowning, the one drowning obviously cannot do much. If you train your reflexes, then they will be set for life. I seldom slip because my reflexes were trained on ice and stay all my life with me. My feet find their way in milliseconds.
I had no idea you can’t swim in whitewater... it makes sense, though, since it’s only partially water
would need a wetsuit for the cold alone.
You have to be pretty dumb to not know that
@@smackdownhotel8830 it's not common knowledge, but those rapid tides should be warning enough.
, you can but you have know how to read it, always a challenge though!...one ton per cubic yard.
I’ve swam in whitewater many time
I was lucky enough to visit Yosemite 30 years ago, I went from Massachusetts, I was in awe, I had never seen anything like that, it was spectacularly beautiful, we visited the Redwoods too which was equally stunning, to walk around among the redwoods makes you feel very young, it makes you feel new, it makes you feel like your in the Dinosaur age, honestly. I advise everybody now to visit both if you possibly can, you don't have to leave the united States, we have incredible wonders right here.
@xxx yyy True! And I definitely plan to soon, question, have you been to Yosemite?
@xxx yyy Oh okay I did reread though some of the comments but didn't notice, fortunately you weren't one of the statistics! I must say a few of the comments on here are horrifying.
Being from So. Cal., I've been several times. It is my favorite place; so beautiful and majestic.
Hopefully, YOU DID SEE THE WARNING SIGNS, that others ignore?
Been many times, and still am amazed by the shear size of everything. The first time, and the next time you see El Capitan in the valley is like you've landed on another planet. A planet where everything thing is greater than us. Yosemite really makes you feel insignificant, and my best advice is for everyone to respect its power.
One thing to keep in mind is when you make a bad decision you not only put your life at risk, you also put others lives at risk when they come to rescue you.
When I was in high school a very well loved and popular kid went to Yosemite and never came back. Drowned while trying to cross a river. So sad. I’ll never forget that and I’ll always respect the power of Yosemite’s water ways.
Whenever you're about to do something stupid or questionable in nature, always think to yourself, WWBPD! What Would Black People Do???
@@tima.478 what? Why?
@@Priscila98245 Black people don't typically get too crazy in nature, usually erring on the side of caution!!!
I actually saved a fellow PCT hiker who was stuck in rushing waist high current, carrying a 70 LB. pack. He was stuck, the water was freezing. Other hikers on the shore were just watching, even laughing at his demise. I acted quickly, went back in and helped him cross safely. The waters in Yosemite cannot be taken lightly, you can get sucked in and be gone in a second.
Good on you for taking action!! Am glad you both made it out of there!
Thank you for saving him! You probably saved his life.
Trust me it's dangerous. I accidentally fell into a little fall when I was 18 years old. Man, I can tell you that everyone acts hero until they get sucked into the stream/flowing water of a fall. It's strong as s**t. Be careful. Many of my friends together pulled me out of the stream, so that I am still alive and be a testimony.
I had to pull my dog out of one and I nearly died myself lol
@@felixdunkelmut9624 "lol"
@@wail2774 let the person be
@@tantanryuryo5716 wdym? i was pointing out the kinda of misplaced "lol" at the end of his statement. *let me be*
@@wail2774 What if it wasn't misplaced?
I do a lot of fly fishing, and this is what I’ve learned: It’s very hard to judge depth in crystal clear water. The deeper you go, the more buoyant you become. That buoyancy makes it almost impossible to maintain your footing in gently flowing water above your waist. Underwater rocks are ALWAYS slippery, no matter how they look. As stated in this video, help can take too long to arrive. My wife slipped while we were fishing, and broke her ankle. We were in 1 foot of water, and the rescue squad took 45 minutes to arrive. Once they had arrived, it took them forever to navigate the slippery rocks just a few inches below the surface. They ALL fell at least once. We were very familiar with this stream, but things change throughout the year.
That is a very good point about buoyancy!
Is you're wife ok?
@@Pikuninpizza She’s fine now. Thanks for Asking. 👍👍👍👍
I don't know why ANYONE would give this video a "thumbs down." Anyone who gets out of a vehicle in Yosemite should have to watch this before doing so. Thank you NPS YNP for making this, and I will be sharing it.
1969hwrq there's an absence of video of people being killed or injured in this video. Some people expected to see these things and are disappointed like I was.
James Pitts oh shut up. Fucking libtard, this is a place for education and not underestimating nature. Bring politics out. And what you said about trump isn’t true...Hillary laughed at a sexually assaulted victim and accused her of fantasizing with older ppl, which isn’t true.
Giacomo Ferrario That just proves how bad millions of Americans didn't want Hillary and Bill in the White House again! And why I changed my mind to not vote for either one.
Why do Americans have to turn everything into a political issue? What does dangerous water have to do with politics?
@@nemome5837 oO
I just learned something important in the 1st 2 minutes that I've not known before. Thank you
We went to a park that had a major river next to it, Sacramento River, it looked so calm on the surface, all dressed in bathing suits and swim trunks, my girlfriend went in and immediately was rushed down, I couldn’t believe how far she was so fast, I ran as fast as I could and used every bit of strength to get to her, when I got to her she was going under I took her and used every bit of strength to get her back to shore, I thought I was going to die, I was 23 and was in peak shape, I had graduated from the L.A. sheriff’s academy and had conditioned myself even several months before I knew I was going to be in the academy,, and ran and worked out for the 2 years before that very regularly, I took it seriously and was never so healthy, I could literally compete with elite athletes and could run at a speed of 11mph for an entire half hour and beyond. when I saved her and got us to shore I felt like I was going to die, dizzy, couldn’t breath or Catch my breath for a good while, I couldn’t stress enough to her how close we were to being killed, my arms and legs were jelly and just gave out as we hit the shore, she explained she had never swimmed before and didn’t even know how(something I didn’t know) that just pissed me off more, if I tried that at my age (20 years later) with carpel tunnel and a bad knee, there is no way I could do that again. We would both be dead or I would have to watch her drown, I’m great full for the experience, and preach it, when I go out I warn people, would be a horrible scary way to go.
I remember about a year ago I was at Yosemite in that exact spot in the thumbnail. I slipped and was clinging on otherwise I’d be thrown into the rocks below. Funny that I came across this video about the dangers of the rivers and the exact spot where I almost got seriously injured or maybe even killed was the main thumbnail for the video.
Similar thing happend to me how crazy lol
This is no joke. I almost died at Yosemite trying to cross knee deep water about 2 feet wide. It did not look like it was moving fast, and was not white in the least. It looked completely safe
city folk
@@addisoncox2557
Not necessarily. Just no experience with waterfalls and boulders.
Even intelligent people sometimes fail to realize that water at 8.3 pounds a (US) gallon x millions of moving gallons is an irresistible force. In AZ we lose stupid people every year who think their vehicles are heavy enough to not wash away in shallow but fast moving flash floods.
@@AB-vc7ox
Indeed. I will never underestimate the force of shallow moving water again.
I was there in 2013 during a tragic event. On June 1 Aleh Kalman, 19 was swimming above Nevada Falls got sucked into the under tow and pulled him over which is a 700 foot drop. I hiked the Panoramic and Mist Trail the next day and when I got over by Nevada Falls near the bottom is when I found out about it. There were lots of people still searching for him. It was believed that he was stuck under the fall which was keeping him there due to the force of the water. Please heed the warning signs and enjoy the beauty from the trail. It was really sad seeing all the people searching and all the on lookers.
My wife and I spent a week in Yellowstone July of 2020. It is a Martian version of Disney World as the majority of visitors are ill-prepared, out of shape, poorly dressed, and believe its attractions are there for their own enjoyment. Trail markers, warning signs, and common sense were routinely ignored. Yellowstone is a dangerous place for experienced hikers and campers, and yet the dopiest of the dopes wander across its land mine landscape like it's Disney World.
K elitist dipshit, now get down your high horse, Some of those dopes you call, just come there for sight seeing famous spots and Geysers. Yellowstone is not reserved only for elitists like you but for casuals too
@@prasan7th
He said "dope"
And I took that personally
@@Ixions he was being a condescending jerk and I took that personally 😆
How did you spend a week in Yellowstone in 2020 unless you lived in the area. Most of the park attractions were shut down and i am pretty sure overnight camping was prohibited?
@@michaelstevenson8272 Most parks all over the country were a free-for-all during the pandemic. All prohibitions but no enforcement.
I've been to Yosemite five times and without fail, every time I see people on the freaking rocks, on the edges of the water. This last time there was a poster of a boy who had died by getting too close to the water and people still dont care.
this place looks magnificent from my sofa
🤣🤣🤣🤣
it is. make sure you get there
get outta your sofa dude
@@ancestrosdelsol9494 if i could get there i would
Nah the sofa is great.
Hiked to Upper Yosemite Falls in August, and the water was so dried up that it was merely small pools of water at the top, but no flowing, no falls. Trying to dip his feet, my husband slipped/fell into one of those stagnant pools, because the rocks were so slick, even when dry. It was like watching someone go down a slide. Was hilarious rather than terrifying, but that taught me to keep my distance. It’s no joke how easy it is to fall in if you get too close
I had the privilege of working and living in Yosemite for the concessionaire for 4 years in the mid 1980s. Had wonderful times and made nice friends.
Part of my orientation was listening to an older ranger telling us the dangers he had seen.He mentioned body bag and having had to use it. He said follow the warnings, stay on the trail,. Also informed us any laws we broke were in federsl lands--federal law. As for missing 411, i came back to Mississippi ok.
I took rock climbing classes, snowshoed, skiied, rode horses and mules and up in Tuolomne.
I did swim in the Merced -- bone chilling. There are safe, calm places around the valley and Housekeeping Camp.
Yes, there were missing people and accidents. I hated hearing the helicopter go over searching for people. They were found injured or as a fatality. All were accounted for that i know of.
If i went hiking or anywhere, i was with someone.
I look back fondly of those years.
If you do go check Ranger led talks during the day and evenings. I did that sometimes on off days when i could.
I worked for the Curry Company summer of 86 and lived in the park. It was a fantastic summer job!
The one that terrified me was when no body bag was required - the guy who fell into 250 degree PH3.5 water when he was looking for a place to hotpot.
Interesting perspective. For someone interested in doing the hike and climbing half dome, would you recommend harnessing oneself to the cables? Is the hike itself and sub dome dangerous as well? I’ve read varying things
You'll understand how sketchy rivers are once you flyfish. I've been swept in slow moving water only waist high. Luckily no whitewater / rapids where I was
And then your waiters fill up with water... drown ya go.
I’ve gotten swept in some water like just above my knees
Yep. Same.
@@maxkrutchkoff6711 Totally. Happened to me once in Yellowstone in summer 2019. The flow was not even that fast from the look of it. Taught me a first hand lesson - Never underestimate the power of a water flow.
@@NoSuffix Not a fisher, but laminar flow can be very fast while being deceptively calm on the surface.
Man I watched so many of these videos before I hiked Yosemite in 2010, I was so scared that I didn't even touch the water with my toes!!! I was 16 lol but man was so afraid of getting sucked in
The Ranger has very good points. It does not take much water to float, also look downstream. I always naturally stay out of the foaming waters but I learned something today, you cannot float in aerated water. If you were paying attention in your physics classes you would know that any water that reaches your waist will carry you and even if it is shallower than your waist, it can still carry you if you slip which is very likely if you cannot see the bottom. Once you slip even if you stand up you will be swept because of less weight applied to the bottom due to buoyancy and you have momentum and the horizontal component of velocity will exceed the coefficient of kinetic friction with the rocks or gravel at the bottom. Plain physics!
The couple standing close to the edge of the water fall makes me cringe.
@John Sickler how stupid can they be? I guess the answer is beyond stupid
@John Sickler lmaoo or the word narcissist lol
It's called a suicide pact!
That rock is polished granite. It’s very smooth. No one ever explained Murphy’s Law to them.
I saw that!!!!
I used to run from Yosemite Valley Mountaineering Club in Curry Village up to the visor on Half Dome Saturday Mornings. About 18.5 miles round trip. I was running to beat my best time. So I did not like stopping. But you see these people walk right out on these wet rocks that are so slippery you're almost guaranteed to fall into the water. Add a little heat and everybody thinks the calm looking water that's two seconds from plummeting over the waterfall, is some sort of resort pool. I screamed at so many people.
I would always be at the whim of what the weather at the top of the Sierra's was going to dish out that day. Getting to the very top of Half Dome requires scrambling up some steel cables and 2 x 4 wooden stops. Lightening loves Half Dome. It's got to have the highest mortality rate for death by lightening in the world. Or close to it. I've been just yards from the top and see a thunderhead threatening in the distance. I stop, turn around and move down the mountain as fast as I can. No need tempting fate here. I shout at everybody to get the hell down. Almost no one listens. If you are up on the cables and the rain starts, you might as well be on ice, trying to hold onto a cold wet 1 1/2" steel cable you can not stop from falling from if you let go. The last time I turned around just as I got to the top, and was denied the visor, I missed the following weekend and sure enough, some guy slid off the mountain, couldn't hold on in the cold rain. And then I think there was another lightening death. And then some more people over the waterfalls.
Now, because so many people cannot differentiate between a theme park and the wilderness where safety measures have not been incorporated into the design, they started a lottery type system to get permits to go up the mountain passed the waterfalls. This is to limit the amount of people. Supposedly to reduce deaths. It ended my weekend running. I've never been to the top since. I don't believe it's good thing, deaths still happen. People feel pressured to "Get to the Top," even when the weather is dangerous because they can't just try again tomorrow or next week. They have to go through the process of getting another permit.
Great share!! Thank you 🙏🏽
Interesting points. Sounds like people who are local and have business being there ought to be able to get a separate type of pass. Happy running buddy!
Ty for sharing your story’s and spot on wisdom here, I hope someone reads this and it saves their life! The last time we visited was a real eye opener to the people that were there and how very little they knew about where they exactly were, a Nationally set aside piece of wilderness.
After being handed numerous flier’s and an actual paper w/pages describing why camper’s should use the provided bear boxes, and what those that don’t, have the shared responsibility in that possible bear demise that becomes used to humans leaving food out for them to steal day & night.
Long story, but a bear grazed me in a definite beeline to get a cooler left out on a campsite next to us, and I’ll never forget the noise in the darkness, that bear made pounding that cooler open in the stream bed! Our neighbors on the other side, upon sharing what happened, and I swear, said- Why don’t they feed the poor animals here?!!!
I feel ya regarding your hiking place being taken away. We don’t want to even visit, and my heart lives in that park and surrounding area! And, our story happened in 1995! I’m third generation (& our son was forth), that loves our Nation Park treasures, especially spending many family hours in Yosemite upper and lower campgrounds. I don’t have a solution, and apologize for the length of my comment, I don’t want the wilderness tamed, it’s a treasure for all bc it’s not. But there’s a palm to forehead video on here, of a group that attempted your favorite hike up the Dome, that I recommend everyone watch for what not to do. Total cringe as they say lol. Again, thank you for sharing and long may you run (no pun intended 🙏💜✨
Trails made over hundreds of years by experienced locals... Tourist... I'll make my own path!
It happened to me in Colorado. I felt it when I got in a creek knee deep. it was waaay smaller than this one. I was able to get out but almost got swept away at the knees. My buddy did not believ me . He went in to see for himself and got swept at knee height. luckily there was a bridge with a wire going across about a foot over the water. My buddy saw it while sucked under water at a depth of about 8 ft. so his head was afew feet below. He said he pushed off from the bottom came up and grabbed the wire. His body immediately straightend out like he was being pulled by a motor boat. he was able to go hand over hand and get close to shore where I grabbed his hand and pulled him ashore.. Beware !
Me and my family have been camping in Yosemite for years and years, so I'm used to the rivers and what parts are okay to swim in and such.
Several years ago there was this big family who were in a tiny beach area next to the river. The spot they were next to was right at a bend in he river, where the current suddenly turns.
And so this one guy in the family, who might have not been able to swim, gets pulled underwater by the current. I didn't see him go under, but I saw others pull him out of the water. But by then it had been too late and he had drowned.
It's really a sad thing to see. You go to places like Yosemite to enjoy the beauty and wildlife, but sometimes forget how dangerous it can be.
"Half way across.. So though we were out of the dangerous part"
🤔
I took a dip in one of the rivers down by the camp sites. It was the coldest water I ever been in, not even refreshing really, it hurt like needles and even though looked calm it had a current with it too. Too beautiful I couldn't resist.
I have always had big respect for water, one of nature's most powerful forces. Did not know foamy water was that dangerous. More knowledge. Thank you for teaching us.
Good video. Covers very important safety guidelines. Stay on the trail and be mindful of your surroundings. :)
The stupidest thing I've ever done as an adult was, after hiking up Multnomah falls, in Portland, Oregon, then stepping to the edge of where the water drops, just to look at the pool way below. I could have slipped as those rocks were moss-covered and moist. I love the outdoors and being in it, but looking back it was a very stupid thing to do.
I know the place. I stood there too but, not as close as you. I get it though.
Those two on that rock could be the design for some kind of jackass trophy
@Carlos G hahaha that's a brilliant Idea 😂🤣🙌😂🤣 🏆🌊🏆
It's called, "The Darwin Award(s)". Not sure the history, or if there is a trophy (they usually die), but it is really well known now.
there should have been a Riddler trophy
Those were very good tips, thank you! I never realized it was so dangerous. I know from diving and swimming in the ocean, you can never predict what can go wrong, even just a few yards out from the beach. Water is 1000 times denser than air, so has tremendous force. Imagine the force of the wind in a hurricane. Its only air. Now imagine that same force x 1000 = tsunami. Buildings crumble. Nature is formidable. This was a good video.
Were they billed for being rescued? You can be sure the brochures caution against crossing streams or going beyond the borders.
Great video! Thanks for sharing, it might save some lives. I work as a canyon guide in the north of Spain and many of the accidents are because of ignorance. This video shows the power of nature and human capacity to deal with it..... So helpful, thanks for sharing! 🙏💚
When i was around the age of 8-10 i hit my foot on a metal staircase underwater in the child section of an indoor pool.
That shallow water was, from the outside, the least threatening sight you could imagine.
But as the metal spiked in my foot i lost grip went under water and screamed sucking in water.
Had my father not paid extrem attention for no reason i would have drowned in a pool that doesnt even cover my belly button now.
When my brother was around the same age a bit younger he got flipped over with his swimring(dont know if you call it that the things kids use before they learn to swim)
5 meters off the shore of hungary he would have died had my father again not been extremly cautious.
So since my father saved both his sons from drowning my respect for the all surrounding liquid is fortified and i will raise my kids accordingly as soon as the day comes.
My condolences to all who didnt have their guardian angel like me to save them.
Thank you UA-cam, I need this right now in my life.
Man oh man, stay on the trail!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
that's not very interesting though
Once the snowmelt is over, the river has little if any whitewater. But that valley is awesome! I favor wandering along the river and take some awesome valley pictures! Beware of long and steep trails like hiking up to HALF DOME summit or the hike up to top of Yosemite Falls, which are 2 trails for serious adult hikers. Don't go unless you're ready, and have mountain hiking experience.Enjoy and be safe!! It's one of the most beautiful valleys in North America!! The video is excellent!!
this reminds me of me of a few years back when i went white water rafting a few years back in colorado. it was an extremely hot day, but the water was runoff from the mountains, so it was easily in the 90s and the water was just over 30 degrees. since it was such a hot summer, the water levels were much higher than usual. a group of 3 rafts worth of us started off strong, but after the 2nd rapid, it was obvious that the instructors were a bit concerned. they got increasingly distressed as they told us what to do, yelling at points. i was on the 2nd raft set off, and we ended up loosing the first one since it was so fast. i wasn’t worried, they said flipping is highly unusual and unlikely, especially on the intermediate course we were on. then we hit another rapid that had 2 large dips. the first went fine, but on the second, we capsized. i immediately dash my foot on a rock, and just get swept by the water. it was freezing cold, i was practically in shock from getting submerged. it was easily the scariest minutes of my life, getting tossed like a ragdoll in freezing water. i somehow ended up near the raft, and one of the people on board grabbed my arm, only to realize i wasn’t their sister and let go. i pulled myself in, and 2 other rafters were still not in, and i somehow found the strength to pull them in. the adrenaline kicked in and i started paddling with the instructor, who informed us that the first raft had also flipped, and they were missing 2 rafters. the one ended up being taken away in an ambulance, and the other required rescuing from some rangers who were called to the scene. i was fine, some bad bruises and a bone bruise, but one of the rafters i helped in ended up having secondary drowning and got pneumonia. honestly, one of the scariest moments in my life.
itty-bitty ghost God loves you sis ❤️
They let go?? WTF!?
Wowza!! This is a great share. So happy to know you were able to get in the raft and help others. I can imagine the glare you gave the a** that let you go. Hope you and you’re family are safe and well. God bless
My jaw actually dropped at them letting go!!! That's horrible. Am glad you survived. What a terrifying experience! ❤
Never thought about water temperature .
I was walking those paths 3 years ago & was terrified of the families that allowed the kids to run ahead on the wet slippery rock trail, I kept saying 'hold the children's hands' but I guess I appeared like a whacky old lady, even to me, but I was aware of those crashing white waves and so easily how a child can slip. I had to pray since they didn't listen to me and all was safe that day.
@grogdizzy strange sounds like you have no idea about the power of prayer
trust me, pray to Jesus & your life will never be the same when you connect. I mean like never the same once you walk thru that door. its easy just talk to Him
@grogdizzy I see your point when you include all gods. My God, my Savior, His name is the only God that is today a common swear word. No other god has the power & so is not worth even cursing it''s own worthless name.
I am sure you are intelligent & you know of whom I speak & of Whom I rely on on.
Happened to me. Slipped on a rock, fell into the fast rapids on a small waterfall in the river feeding Florence Lake ( 37°14'32.84"N, 118°56'35.93"W for image in google earth) in the High Sierra. Within seconds I was swept under a bridge and over 200 feet downstream. If I hadn't been young, a very good swimmer, life guard trained, I probably wouldn't be writing this. Stay safe.
"Don't forget to bring a towel."
- Towelleee
Wana get high!!
"Dont forget to bring a trowel"
-back country ranger
Yes towel, do not forget....IF you survive...
If you're gonna be getting high, you may as well bring a body bag.
Well... Unless you stay on the trail. Then by all means, smoke 'em if you got 'em.
And stay on the effing trail.
Thank you so much for this video. It really helped me when I go on my first trip to Yosemite.
Went tubing on the river with friends all the time in the summer. We always went on the big rapids parts until one summer when we unexpectedly came across a giant tree that must’ve fallen across the river during the winter.
There was a little section that you could get around going down the rapids if you hit it just right! My friends successfully did so but not me, I was on the other side of the water and I slammed into the tree and got sucked underneath backwoods by the the force of the water.
The white, blue and brown water and bubbles all round with the thunder sound of the water above still give nightmares thinking of it.
I held my breath for as long as I could until I could fight to the surface but got sucked under again from another tree that fell over during winter.
“Way too slippery to hang onto”
Once again I fought for my life to get to the top and when I did I swam to a rock on the side of river when the water started to calm after rapids.
It took me 20 minutes until I could get my strength to even pull myself up and get back on the inner tube and finish out the run because we were a mile away or more away from our car and no way to walk back because we were so in the middle of nowhere🤦
I’ve never been on the river since,
way too dangerous!
I just got lucky, someone else the next day on the same part of the river didn’t:(
P.S
Stick with swimming pools!
When I visited Yosemite in 2017 and went to Vernal Falls, hiking along the precarious trail from the base of the waterfall to the crest, I had no idea that someone had gotten killed by slipping and falling into the river just a few hours earlier. When I found out a day or so later it was rather haunting. The poor fellow was a bartender named Kevin Nelson. It’s an amazing experience but extremely dangerous. Stay safe if you visit!
Vernal Fall is my favorite waterfall. I visit Yosemite multiple times a year on day trips. I always see some people being careless.
I so happened to be in the park, on Sentinel Dome, the day three young people in their 20’s were swept over Vernal Fall 10 years ago. They entered Merced River 25 feet from the edge of the Fall. They were swept over. I didn’t know it at the time, I just wondered why an emergency vehicle came charging up Glacier Point Road with sirens blaring.
When I came home I found out what had happened. It took one month for the river to give up its final victim. There’s a book, written by a park ranger, Off the Wall, death in Yosemite” (Micheal P Ghiglieri) that should be required reading for anybody visiting any National Park. You will be shocked how little it may take to end your life. Just being at water’s edge filling one’s water bottle has proven to be some people’s final task in life. It took me months to get over the awfulness of that situation. I have posters of Vernal Fall in my home. I am still thinking of the 3 unfortunate young people every time I look at my posters. Please everybody, heed the warnings!
I'm a fly fisherman and this has to be one of my biggest fears
Aaron: don't let the water fill your fishing pants. You will drown. Don't go when the water is angry. Stay in a boat.
What’s a fly fisherman?
@@alejandromoreno5056 it's a type of fishing
It doesn’t even take fast moving water or wearing waders to get in trouble, anyone who spends much time fishing knows that. Wet clothes alone can be the end of you.
@@AB-vc7ox what’s so dangerous about wet clothes?
I worked as a Rescue Helicopter Pilot in Canada’s National Parks we got called out numerous times for people in the rivers or lakes most times it was just a retrieval not a rescue. We called these operations “Looking for Bob” referring to a body bobbing up and down in the river..it was gallows humor, a coping mechanism - it was always grim . Most victims were oblivious to or worse yet ignored the danger. No matter how strong a swimmer you might be the river will always defeat you..
i learned a massive lesson on the power of water vs 'the fool' in the north johnstone river...
calm flowing rapids water is tremendously deceiving....
i went down and was held down helpless by the massive water flow passing thru rock poolfloor's dumped broken boulder sieve for two minutes....
i crawled over the porous rocks holdin my breath up to the dim light above... nearly passing out but i was in the australian military at the time and fit so... huge impression on my survival instinct from that....
I remember when my friend went into the water, his head hit the bottom in under a second and got knocked out; It’s like going under free fall, you don’t float at all. He died later due to internal bleeding and due to his head being smashed to half the size it was beforehand.
Lost my family in this dam merced river years ago rest up Mario and Lance Thomas 5 and 6 yrs old you are missed Auntie Elaine💝 of Compton Ca.We had a family reunion my aunt was a nurse tried to make the drive after a shift with my grandmother and two young cousins .Most of family was already at camp site.A ranger came an told us my aunt fell to sleep at wheel and plunged in the Merced River my aunt was able to get everybody on the hood of the car.My young cousin fell or jumped off the hood his brother followed suit behind him and my aunt went after both of them all killed by the treachous tides of the river my 90 year old grandmother was rescued off the hood but succumb later to death grieved this tragedy the rest of her life..
I'm so sorry. My sincere condolences. How heart-wrenchingly tragic.
@@dlbstl thank you
And plus the water is freezing cold, even during the summertime. A couple of friends and I took a quick dip on top of upper Yosemite on calmer parts of the river; it took us less than 10 seconds to get out and chill by the rocks. Those 10 seconds felt like a million needles stabbing our whole body.
For all the people pretending they are thrilled at all the deaths, thinking it "thins the herd", the mistake is simply inexperience and lack of knowledge in most cases. As a kid you're taught to look before crossing the street. You know where parts of your city has gangs, what night of the week the drunks are driving, hundreds of variables that keep you alive in the cement jungle. Early explorers were adept at reading sign. They could check weather, judge rapids, track animals, smell the breeze and hear sounds on the wind, giving them information to keep safe. Most people don't have that.
It's easy to judge other people when it's not your little brother, your cousin or friend. No one deserves to die painfully because of an accident or mistaken judgement. Lacking empathy just makes you sociopathic, not edgy.
Covid is thinning the herd.
@@martinruddell2682
Covid is killing daughters, sons, mothers and fathers, friends and relatives. It is not "thinning the herd" . I really hope you get it, the world would be a better place without an insensitive asshole who thinks disease is edgy and cool to joke about. I had it, and my best friend. I got through it without damage, but she didn't. I don't want to lose someone who is the last family I have. You're an awful person.
i don't think any one thinks that
Chill bro you're drunk
Excellent out door skills lesson. Living in a heavy watered BC Canada, I take for granted “knowing” how to maneuver in rivers.
"We're probably all right." That statement oozes confidence.
Great video and wise words of caution. I’m familiar with all those locations and countless others in the sierras, slick granite and sheer volume of water should not be underestimated at any site.
Thank u for making it.
Thank you! Almost one million views. I wonder how many lives this video has and will save.
Unfortunately D. J. A. the 19 yr old inexperienced in life and zero common sense guy would laugh at this with some comment about people are chicken ; then try to cross the stream. Nothing like learning the hard way. In these cases it's the last lesson he'll ever learn. Sad
Many times I have seen people getting in the water very close to the edge of both Vernal and Nevada Falls. Each is over 400 feet high. Often, it seems like they have been foreign visitors who regard Yosemite like it's a trip to Disneyland. They seem to think it's without danger whether it's getting in the water in a dangerous area, approaching wildlife, not understanding the risks of certain hikes, or simply not having the right equipment or supplies. They never seem to realize this place can hurt you, the high altitude and dry air dehydrate you quickly, slick spots on the granite will make you fall, you can drown, animals will hurt you if you invade their space, lightening strikes, and falling rocks all occur. I think Yosemite is our most beautiful park, my favorite (and I have been to almost all of them), but it is unforgiving. I think only Yellowstone and Glacier back country pose more risk in the lower 48.
A friend and I were hiking to Half dome from Happy Isle, up the Mist Trail when we came across some other hikers at the top of Vernal in the water within 30 yards of the edge. We yelled at them trying to get them to come back. They just laughed it off. The site of it was so upsetting we had to move on because I didn't want to see them go over. We saw a similar thing a the top of Nevada that same day. What pisses me off, is some Ranger or SAR team is going to have to risk their safety to recover the body(ies) because of someone's mindless stupidity. Someone is going to have to call that parent or spouse. We never heard the helicopter that day, so I assume they got out safely.
My wife and I were in the park when a 15 YO kid went over Yosemite Falls. When you hear a helicopter fly into the valley, someone has gotten hurt or worse. That same trip, I had a young lady ask, seriously, if I would catch her if she slipped. I was going up the cable stairs on Half Dome and she was going down. She was over her head and had only a poor quality pair of shoes on. It's hard to appreciate that leg of the hike unless you have been on it. The pictures don't do it justice. It really is steep (45 degrees), slick, drops off on both sides, and has exfoliations to go over. It's dangerous to the unexperienced or ill-equipped. Half Dome is permit only now, which cuts down of how many go up.
Similar to Yosemite (it's in the same area of the Sierra Nevada), I've seen the same things in Mammoth and June. We often go up there for Thanksgiving, and on two occasions I've seen people walk out on the ice over Twin Lakes. We were yelling to the guy to come back but he just waved us off. He, at one point began jumping on the ice he was standing on. The level of stupidity boggles the mind. This isn't like midwest ice that you can drive on. There are too many warm days for the ice to get thick enough to walk on and there are many stories of people drowning after going through. His buddy was taking picture of him while all of this was happening. I told him how dangerous this was and all he could say was "It's okay...it's okay" I don't think he really understood. You could see water within 100 feet of where this guy was. He was part of a group of folks who got off a tour bus. He had on what I would describe as business casual plus a jacket.
No one was going to be able to save this guy if he went in, but someone was sure as hell going to have to risk their safety to get his body. I guess I can be "that guy", but really, how stupid are people?
Just read “Off the Wall: Death in Yosemite” most people die because they underestimate nature and a few seemed to have a death wish.
Death in the Grand Canyon too! After I bought it in the bookstore, I read it on my way home..... I would have behaved differently if I read it before!
@@katiejo1095
Me too! Sobering and horrifying. My wife read Off The wall to me as we drove back to the Bay area from Yosemite. We bought it in a store in the valley as we were leaving. One of the most terrifying books I've ever read. Later we bought the Grand Canyon book. Also horrific.
@@BeatlesCentricUniverse Good tips though when you read it. I've never hiked in the Grand Canyon but now i know more now than i did before.
Exactly. Thank you so much for posting this. Sadly, this message needs to be repeated daily. Again, thanks you.
I've been to Yosemite 4 times and have always followed park rules. You're in one of God's greatest creations, why ruin your chance of fully enjoying it!
There are no park rules. Only recommendations. You can climb el capitan with no rope, so Im pretty sure you can stand next to the edge of any cliff you damn well want.
Janet Hawkes go in the fall
Gent Bar I've been 3 times in the Fall, my favorite season, and once in the summer. I really want to go in winter, it looks so beautiful
Janet Hawkes sometime go in spring. May or early June. The waterfalls at at their largest.
Christy Stewart that's what my husband says, guess we'll have to do both, I need to try out my new lens anyway 😉
Never had thought about super foamy water being impossible to swim thru, but it would partly be like swimming thru air.
I hiked a section of the PCT in 2019 and went through Yosemite when it was near peak snow-melt and flooding.
The water crossings were by far most dangerous and nerve-racking part of it all!
Water crossings seem so scary! I watched a few on Dixie's channel and always had my heart in my throat. Have only ever had to do a few, and had one go poorly, but those few experiences with the power of rivers were more than enough; watching other people cross is so stressful.
Did you have any moments on water crossings where you regretted the attempt?
@@quailypoes I can't say I regret any of the crossings we (I was with friends) made, because everyone in the group made it through all of them, we NEEDED to cross them, and we looked for the best possible point to cross for at least 30 minutes every time. There were some that got scary for the shorter or less balanced people in the group, but teamwork is a big help in those instances. If I were to come to terms with regretting anything about it, it would just be the timing of getting to the Sierra with so much snowpack remaining. We started March 24th that year. I have a friend on the trail right now who started March 20th and he just got to the Sierra earlier in the year than we did, but with a fraction of the snow that we had. That's just how the trail changes every year. Thanks for the response and question!
@@tannerannichiarico7255 thank you for that response! The sierras in a high snow year sound beautiful and daunting!
@@tannerannichiarico7255 I think that's the year my niece did the PCT. She goes by the name Phoenix Rising.
The Mist Trail is friggin' dangerous. Don't underestimate this national park.
I did it a few weeks ago up to Vernal, down from Nevada. Terrifying. John Muir for me every day please for that segment.
(And that’s when it was DRY)
Yea went up at springtime during a heavy snow melt with a dumbass boyfriend encouraging my teenage son to be a daredevil on the wet rocks. I thought I was having a heart attack. Dumped the dumbass boyfriend!!
@@celticfreckles1635 smart move getting rid of that one!!
4:45 Was about to have an anxiety attack
#Excellent #Education, #Videography, & #Wilderness #Awareness! #Welldone @YosemiteNPS #Media #Team! #KeepItGoing & #Stay_Safe!
Dude can you stop reminding me of my mortality every second sentence I'm just a precious wee lad
We want you to get to grumpy old fart.
O Danny boy
Visiting Yosemite last week's August 92 was not surprised by the water temp.
As we to have similar dangerous waterways in Australia.. of note The most dangerous is The Boulders near Babinda Nth QLD, these days selfies are the most dangerous combined with ego.
Nature has some amazing spots to share with us..all is good whilst we admire with total respect.
Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Golden Gate Bridge,Death Valley for ever lovingly in my thoughts..along with many other area's and experiences..so loved my U.S trip.
I was almost a statistic. I was following my older sisters hiking around one of the falls, I stepped on some algae, slipped and went down towards the basin, and the waterfall. I don't remember which fall it was. But somehow I flipped flopped my way off the algae with help of guardian angel no doubt. I just barely missed falling into the basin where I surely would have gone over the falls. My sisters were oblivious. Some years later, a dear friend from church and two others got swept into one of the rivers and drowned, the two others clung to rocks and were saved. Yosemite is a beautiful, but very, very dangerous place. I climbed half dome without knowing what I was getting into. I was with a church group, 16 years old. I had no idea how difficult it was. I had tennis shoes on, it was extremely dangerous, steep, slippery. I can't believe I'm still alive, all the crazy things I did when I was a kid.
This was both extremely insightful and terrifying.
All it takes is one rolled ankle. These people gave me sweaty palms.
Hawaii is also very beautiful but also very deadly. A lot of the dangerous places in Hawaii don't have guardrails and signs like the National Parks do on the mainland.
Pat Lysobey - No signs clearly posting "No Haole's!" You need a rule book just to walk down the street.
i live in Canada & we have mighty rivers over here that freak me out...very powerful, very scary
I was there visiting for the day around 2005 in spring time right after a heavy snow melt and walked up along the river to the waterfall and told my son and my boyfriend that I had never seen the water that wild in all the trips I've taken there. As we were leaving the park we heard that the valley was starting to flood and they were telling people to evacuate the park. And then later we heard that several people perished that day...one from slipping from the waterfall.
When you enter Yosemite, it's a spooky feeling. It's a untamed, raw, Mother Nature at her finest. Just remember that mother is all about survival of the fittest. She will humble you.
I was lucky enough to obtain a cable permit for half dome. I made it to sub dome, but I was very humbled when I got to the cables.
I visited Yosemite and it was a stroll in the park, we didn't get anywhere near rapids or waterfall and didn't camp.
And what's interesting about that is that the valley is hardly untamed. I'm in the wilderness (and Sierra) a lot, and live up high in the mountains. I've been to the valley once and won't go back. Personally, I think guardrails and asphalt contribute to accidents.
water always scared me before....thanks for video, now I'm terrified.
There is always an idiot that will ruin it for everyone...
Yes, you are right, there is always a Mr. My Balls Are Bigger and Smarter, that ruin everything for everyone.
Wow, I had no clue about the water being deceiving in calm areas or the foam waters making it almost impossible to swim or breath. I knew about it being swift, slamming you into the rocks or slippery rocks. Thank you.
You should have to watch this before being let in.
Good info in this video. I've been there many times as a kid in each of the seasons, Spring, Summer, Fall, & Winter. A beautiful and fun place for sure.
You know they have no idea what they're doing when you see them with their hands in the pockets casually strolling on the trails.
Then you see those in sandals
This should be in 4k. Beautiful!
It's a safety video not a tourism ad.
Everyone should read Off the Wall: Death In Yosemite by Ghiglieri and Farabee.
There are similar books about the dangers at Yellowstone as well as Grand Canyon. Sadly, these beautiful places truly bring out the moron in some people.
"We tied our shoes around our necks"
Well i can already tell where this is headed.
4:45 good example of carelessness.
In 1975, my fiancé and I had hiked to the top of Vernal Falls. We had gone a little ways upstream and I waded into, as I tell myself now, the water that becomes Vernal Falls. It was about two feet deep and enjoyable. One step backward, and a drop off I had not seen of about two MORE feet had me almost fall backward into that water. I felt a definite twinge of fear. I looked into her eyes, which were instantly red with tears. She is begging me to get out, and I let myself get grouchy thinking it wasn’t that big of a deal.
We wed three months later in a marriage that lasted 26 years. Now we are at divorce plus 20 years.
Last year, I started Googling some satellite pictures of Yosemite including the area at the top of Vernal Falls. I have realized how close to danger I really was in 1975, and I knew how wrong I was in the way I reacted to her fear. I sent her the most sincere apology (45 years late). Although they say that some things are never late. Then I shudder to think how close I was that day to never get the chance to apologize.
The trail up to half dome by the waterfall (misty trail iirc) seemed like it could stand having railing put in at least at certain points. The rocks were very uneven and wet, I slipped and nearly fell. Don't think I've felt more fear for my life than in that moment.
Nope. Nature shouldn't have guardrails.
@@teejay3272 Then they shouldnt have that as a regular trail. The rocks are so smooth from all the use, they offer no grip. And they are wet.
Would you prefer they put an escalator for IGNORANT hikers. DON'T MESS with Mother Nature.
You know what's more dangerous? The stairs in your home. Look it up. Numbers don't like. Stay on one floor to stay alive!