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52 of 53 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Yosemite and Young Males: Not a Good Combination, May 6, 2007
When I was last in Yosemite, April of 2007, I hiked to the top of the Yosemite Falls Trail and, after taking a quick break, decided to head for Eagle Peak. Alas it started to snow and after about 1/2 mile I turned back. A trail maintenance ranger at the bottom of the trail, who knew of my plans, asked when he saw me if I had made it. "No," I replied. "I turned around." He then mentioned that someone else, facing the same conditions that day, had not made the same choice. On the broad shoulder of Half Dome, with snow flying, this person had decided to go for the top, even in the bad conditions and even though the cables were not properly strung. He slipped and fell. I never found out if he lived, but the description offered by the ranger fits a pattern found repeatedly in this fabulous book. Young men taking foolish chances end up hurt and/or killed.
This book is a sequel to the immensely popular Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon and like the first volume it is somewhat morbid. The authors, one of whom was a Search and Rescue (SAR) ranger in Yosemite for many years, catalogue all the ways one could conceivably die in Yosemite and then devote a chapter to each. Murder, suicide, and motor vehicle deaths are all covered, but so too is a variety of deadly accidents experienced by climbers high on cliffs, hikers lost or off route from established trails, drowning victims, people falling over the edge of waterfalls, and even people who jump off cliffs hoping to parachute safely to the valley floor (BASE jumping). Although the authors admit they probably have not found every single death in the park's history (records for the early years in the 19th century are incomplete) they are reasonably convinced they have found 95% of all deaths, many of which are discussed in considerable detail within the pages of this book. Readers will also learn a lot of park history and folklore, including the story of the downed plane loaded with high grade marijuana. The Sylvester Stallone movie Cliffhanger was loosely based on this incident.
What in general do the authors conclude from all this? Mostly that young men, the predominant victims in the Park, seem to feel that they are invulnerable. They will leave the trail for a "shorter" route even if the trail they are on is the highly dangerous ledge trail (closed years ago, but still popular with some thrill seekers). This same population ignores signs about rushing currents above waterfalls, or climbs too far, too fast, without taking sufficient safety precautions. They might even unhook from their lines while on precarious ledges. Of course, there are a few daring (foolish?) women who join their ranks. Jan M. Davis, a Hollywood stunt specialist, died on a BASE jump. Ironically, she was protesting the park's policy banning such jumps. But for every story like hers, there are dozens of young men who make similar mistakes. Indeed, the main thing I got from this book was a sense of relief that I am now middle aged.
In all, this is an excellent, fascinating read. It is well worth the price and if you want to experience parklands anywhere; the advice these authors give may save your life. Be forewarned, however, that this book is very graphic. Full of gory detail, it is definitely not for the squeamish.
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22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Off the Wall: Death in Yosemite, April 20, 2007
Dr. Ghiglieri nails his subject - complex personalities, surrounded by natural beauty, dealing with danger and threat. Dr.Ghiglieri brings a wealth of experience as a naturalist, historian and river guide to weave a spellbinding tale. Dr. Ghiglieri was a lead guide on a OARS trip I took in the early 90's from Lee's Ferry to Phantom Ranch. We vived to be in his boat - to learn history, geology, river skills, and people skills. Deep in the wilderness, the experts such as Ghiglieri learn only only to read rivers and nature, but also to read people. The naturalists observe individuals and couples thrust into a new enviromnent stripped of accoutraments, family/friend networks, and electronic diversions. After his viewing many couples for many summers, I took to heart Dr. Ghiglieri's observation that a relationship tested and happy after 11 days of wilderness, camping, rowing on the Colorado was sturdy for the long run.
Off the Wall: Death In Yosemite and well as the companion Grand Canyon book superbly combine the oh so human qualities with sublimb natural situations. Dr. Ghiglieri's books are gripping and memorable. I was at Yosemite yesterday strolling through the valley cemetary for Effie Crippen - age 14 - dead in the 1880's after wading in lovely Mirror Lake and stepping on a glass bottle. I was alone and wanted to hike - but didn't. Caution. The story of Ms. Crippen humanized the grand monoliths of stone, enriched my understanding of the valley. I highly recommend Dr. Ghiglieri's books Death In Yosemite, Death In the Grand Canyon, and Canyon for "bringing to life" and telling the stories of our national parks. Laurie Kassir, San Andreas, CA. and Houston, TX
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Just Don't Have This Book In Your Pack If Near Deep Water, October 5, 2007
I returned from my first trip to Yosemite five days ago. I bought this book during the last two days I was there and began reading it. Oddly enough I bought it the day after I had managed to scale down the infamous, "Four Mile Trail" that begins at Glacier summit and basically ends at the foot of Sentinel rock.
As I scaled down that well-worn-and-established trail, I started to become wrapped in the sense that the valley-floor was not emerging fast enough, and merely wondered whether or not a more "direct route" was attainable. Fortunately for me, this was only a passing thought.
I also noticed that the switchbacks, thought mostly broad and even, did contain waiting peril for those not circumspect. It occurred to me also, that my initial impulse to try and beat the bus carrying my family back down the mountain was fraught with the fatal potential to cause me to run right off a sheer cliff.
The next day I'm reading accounts of people who'd managed to make both decisions on that very trail. Talk about one's blood running cold in the stream of familiarity. . .
Very well written. I won't go so far as to say the details are endlessly morbid, but they are offered occasionally to underscore the power of mistakes that are--when removed from an unparalleled place like Yosemite--merely capers laced with the occasional bone-break or contusion.
I do not undersell the fact that anyone considering climbing Half-Dome--especially those who want to use the "cable route," should first read this. The same goes for any erstwhile hiker and rock climber that assumes their cat-like reflexes are insurmountable. They might be the very things that kill you.
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by Rick Deutsch
