Teen Killed at Yosemite Proves Park Is More Dangerous Than Ever

on August 12, 2011 at 2:56 PM

Maybe it's just me, but between all the bear attacks and the record high number of deaths at Yosemite National Park, I'm starting to feel like nature is turning on us. Seventeen-year-old hiker Kao Kue became Yosemite's 15th fatality this year when he died Wednesday night from head injuries after falling and slipping on Mist Trail. So he was just walking along one of the park's most popular hiking trails?!

Some of the other Yosemite deaths this year, while still tragic, were at least easier to explain. The three hikers swept to their death over Vernal Falls on July 19, for example, had crossed a guard railing to take pictures. As park officials have pointed out, Yosemite does have hazards; it's the responsibility of visitors to follow safety guidelines (there's certainly no lack of signs posted around the park).

But the park isn't as safe as it used to be, either. Shifting environmental factors are contributing to the deadly atmosphere as well ...

Apparently, Yosemite's waterways are flowing at a higher rate than they normally would be thanks to this winter's record snowfall. And granite rocks are extremely slippery when wet, much more so than most people realize.

So it would seem the problem is that because the park is more dangerous right now, visitors need to be, correspondingly, more cautious ... except they're not. Being more cautious, that is. Why? Are they unaware of the treacherous conditions, or are they just choosing to ignore warnings?

Perhaps a lack of appropriate caution, combined with a rise in park visitors, is to blame for the spike in bear attacks, too. More people venturing out into the wilderness without knowing the proper protocol to follow in case of a bear sighting = more people getting mauled and killed by bears.

As I said before, these accidental deaths were tragic and I don't mean in any way to imply that because these hikers were, possibly, careless that they simply got what was coming to them.

But hopefully, going forward, what happened to these people will inspire others to be more careful.

Do you think Yosemite is getting more dangerous?

Image via Rennett Stowe/Flickr

About the author Jacqueline Burt

has written for numerous magazines, newspapers, and websites. She is easily bored and often tired, so she requires constant entertainment to keep her awake. Dance, Monkey! Dance!

Filed Under: accidents, environment, in the news

Comments (6)

Nonmember comment from me

on Aug 12, 2011 at 2:59 PM

um, the kid was sleeping on a rock and fell, not walking.

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Nonmember comment from Norm

on Aug 12, 2011 at 3:27 PM

Why do you mention instances of bear attacks that take place in Yellowstone NP or in Alaska when you're writing a story about deaths in Yosemite? The stories have absolutely nothing in common other than they happened in a national park. If I were someone who didn't know anything about Yosemite I would read your story and think there were bear attacks there this year.

Facebook comment from Rachel Schiller

on Aug 12, 2011 at 4:18 PM

Life is dangerous, exercise caution.

Nonmember comment from Floyd Smoot

on Aug 12, 2011 at 4:21 PM

Another example of the media encouraging the public to hyperventilate over a none issue. Last year 4 million people of all ages visited Yosemite. That is about half a million fewer than LIVE in my state. If 15 people died in one year in Louisiana we would think it was Shangri-La and studies would be done to determine the cause of the low death rate. On average, 13 people a year die from vending machines falling on them(not just in Louisiana). The real story here is that so many visit Yosemite with so few deaths.

Nonmember comment from venicementor

on Aug 12, 2011 at 7:58 PM

In a sense, it is just natural selection and taking people out of the gene pool before they can procreate. It is like shooting the polar bear at the zoo, because some numb nut has lowered themselves into the bear pit and them mauled by the bear. I have been to Yosemite many times over and surprise, surprise you have TO BE CARFUL AND USE YOU SKULL!!!!