High Lining over Yosemite Falls

In case you hadn’t heard by now, Yosemite National Park has seen an unusually high number of fatalities this summer. With the recent fall of a 23-year-old climber from Yosemite’s Half Dome, the 17 fatalities for the summer season are double the park’s annual average.

While five of the deaths were attributed to natural causes, the remaining 12 were considered to be preventable accidents. Included amongst these were the woman who fell while descending half dome, three hikers who were swept over a waterfall, and a California teenager who died when he slipped and fell on the park’s popular Mist Trail.

So when I see videos such as this one, courtesy of our friends over at the Wend blog, it gets me thinking about how far we are willing to push the limits of safety for an adrenaline rush and a remarkable view.

Granted, there is something to be said for training and professionalism, but with all of the death that seems to be surrounding the park as of late, I would probably think twice before attempting a stunt like this.