Re: More Deaths than Normal in Yosemite?

Greetings:
I've been amazed at the number of deaths I've heard about in Yosemite this year. Haven't kept record of them all, but a few come to mind: one went over Vernal, another over Yosemite. Another near Lembert Dome, also off Half Dome. And I believe at least two backpackers. Maybe more.
This is the first time I've really kept up on what was happening in Yosemite. Is this a typical year?

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Jon Shannon
www.YosemiteTrailsDVD.com

There are several deaths every year. I haven't looked up the statistics but I don't think this year is unusual.

There have been more deaths this year than usual. I don't believe there has been any recorded year in which deaths were associated with all 3 Falls -- 1 person over Yosemite Falls , 1 over Vernal Falls, and 1 rock-hopping in the river above Nevada Falls. And as you mention there were the other hiking deaths as well. Michael Ficery is still missing.

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bgf
There have been more deaths this year than usual. I don't believe there has been any recorded year in which deaths were associated with all 3 Falls -- 1 person over Yosemite Falls , 1 over Vernal Falls, and 1 rock-hopping in the river above Nevada Falls. And as you mention there were the other hiking deaths as well. Michael Ficery is still missing.

Anybody have some actual data?

Haven't found a year-by-year summary yet. But I did find this: In 1994 there were 17 deaths and 231 searches and rescues. In 1995, 18 visitors died and 188 searches and rescues were performed.

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eeek
Haven't found a year-by-year summary yet. But I did find this: In 1994 there were 17 deaths and 231 searches and rescues. In 1995, 18 visitors died and 188 searches and rescues were performed.

There's a book out called "Death in Yosemite" which has some pretty accurate statistics,. Don't know how up to date it is but it is within the last few years.

I dunno, there's also the guy who fell near tokopah falls in Sequoia, and the gal lost near Wishon Reservoir after walking out of camp... not exclusive to Yosemite.

There have been a horrible number of hurricanes killing people along the gulf coast, too.

It's all random, folks. You just know a little more than you used to (which doesn't change the stats)

There was man who died of a heart attack in the TM campground 7-30-09.

Yosemite Falls: are you referring to the kids taking a shortcut near Columbia Rock this past winter, or was there another?

I didn't hear about the Vernal or Nevada Falls incidents from this year. Any links to these stories?

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Nevermind - just realized this thread was started a few years ago. My bad.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/13/2009 01:50PM by krusovice.

Look at the date the thread was started.

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eeek
Look at the date the thread was started.

Sure. But from the looks of it, your revived this thread from the boneyard.

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y_p_w

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eeek
Look at the date the thread was started.

Sure. But from the looks of it, your revived this thread from the boneyard.

Well...yeah.

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krusovice
I didn't hear about the Vernal or Nevada Falls incidents from this year. Any links to these stories?

Wasn't there a fatality on the Mist Trail this year (2009 since this will be archived)?

http://www.nps.gov/yose/parknews/lehmann.htm
http://www.sierrastar.com/103/story/48778.html
http://www.friendsofyosar.org/rescues/rescues.html

Apparently she was swept off during pretty nasty thunderstorm and was clinging to a boulder before she got swept into the Merced River. She was actually below the Vernal Fall footbridge. The storm must have been pretty violent since that's not an area I'd consider all that difficult to traverse even in the rain. I don't know if there was an autopsy performed to find out if she succumbed from drowning or from blunt force trauma. I suppose the big currents make if difficult to find anyone, since it sounds as if it took about 4 weeks to find her body.

Why are we discussing current events on a four year old thread? (I am wondering if I am missing a connection between 2005 & 2009)

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Bee
(I am wondering if I am missing a connection between 2005 & 2009)

Only if you are missing 2006, 2007, and 2008.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/13/2009 05:45PM by szalkowski.

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Bee
Why are we discussing current events on a four year old thread? (I am wondering if I am missing a connection between 2005 & 2009)

Somebody claimed there were more deaths than usual that year. So far I'm not convinced.

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eeek

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Bee
Why are we discussing current events on a four year old thread? (I am wondering if I am missing a connection between 2005 & 2009)

Somebody claimed there were more deaths than usual that year. So far I'm not convinced.

As far as I know, the best quick check of the death stats are in the above mentioned Death in Yosemite book. At quick glance, I agree that there did not seem to be anything out of the ordinary. I think that each incident get sensationalized to the point of ad nauseum, so it seems worse now that we get instant gratification on the death reports (especially, gawd forbid, if it takes place on Half Dome)

B