My husband and I love to visit Stone Mountain and walk on the trails there. The walk-up trail is very popular and there are signs that tell you to stay on the trail. This week, some teenagers ventured off the trail and had to be rescued. One of them is in critical condition. I hope that this young man will recover from his injuries. For anyone who wishes to visit Stone Mountain, let me just say to you that it is a beautiful spot, and it is called a "mountain" but it is, strictly speaking, a MONADNOCK and although there will be trees and grass and wildflowers growing upon it where soil has collected, it is really made of ROCK. Therefore, when you walk over the rock, water and even sand can make the rock very slippery. At the top of the walk-up trail, there is a fence and a few years ago, a man climbed over the fence and his body was found at the base of the mountain the following morning.
You might think that this could not happen to you, that you would be careful and would know when you might be in trouble. The problem with that kind of thinking is that our vision is not just based on our eyesight but our perception. In other words, you might be on the mountain, and walking on a slope just as you normally would and your eyes will tell you that what you are seeing is safe to walk upon...as the mountain becomes steeper, your eyes will begin to perceive the danger but by this time it is too late.
In England, my in-laws live near an area that is beautiful but also extremely dangerous. It is Beachy Head and there have been many deaths there, one slip off that chalky cliff and the sea is 531 feet below.
So, be careful when you are walking or hiking and stay on the trails! Pay attention to the signs that are posted! They truly are there for a reason.
It is strange how some people feel the need to challenge these signs, as you said, they are there for a reason. Of course, Beachy Head became a favourite suicide spot, but I read the numbers doing this have decreased since a Chaplaincy Team was established there.
ReplyDeleteLast year, I am afraid that I might have given the Chaplaincy Team some concern but when they saw me hook my elbow around a fence post, they knew I was just trying to take a photo before it started raining.
DeleteThey do a great job at Beachy Head, I pray for them.
Are you sponsored by the mountain rescue team?
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to have that exercise each day, in spite of falling of the top occasionally.
A good place to walk.
I can't get to Stone Mountain every day, it is about a 30 minute drive from us and I can't even get to Arabia Mountain every day which is closer but we get to both of them as often as we can!
DeleteAnd we obey the signs!
It makes me so angry when people behave so unreasonably. It is not enough for them to put themselves in danger, but they endanger the lives of those who are sent out to rescue them, too. Inconsiderate, selfish, stupid. Sorry, Kay, I can not muster up any sympathy for that injured teenager.
ReplyDeleteSince they have opened up new trails around Stone Mountain, people might think that it is safe to walk anywhere, not realizing that the people that they see through the trees are on an actual trail.
DeleteIt WAS difficult for those boys to be rescued, it took quite some time from what I heard on the news. If you could see Stone Mountain, you would see why the young man thought it would be safe to stray off the path, that is why I wrote this post!! The same goes for any trail or climb in the world, pay attention to the signs!
Anyone can make a mistake, I know that I can, and I sincerely hope that someone would rescue me.
I always pay attention to signs on trails. Difficult surfaces can be so deceptive.
ReplyDeleteAnd the water levels can change too! I am thinking of the sea tides in England and also, how powerful the river water was when I was at Cloudland Canyon in April after heavy rains!
DeleteYou are preaching to the converted so far as I am concerned. I've seen too much of what you say to be reckless. However so far as the title is concerned I'm never likely to be on Stone Mountain because my days of being able to visiti North America are over.
ReplyDeleteYou might not come to Stone Mountain, but I am telling you that it might be the most visited spot in Georgia! When you climb the mountain, you can hear so many languages around you, it is amazing!
DeleteI hope that someone typing in "Stone Mountain" in a search engine will read this post!
Awesome view... But when you hear all these kind of incidents.... It's scary...
ReplyDeleteThe view from the top is an amazing wonder in my life and one that I most grateful to live close to, being careful to read the signs, of course!
DeleteHorrible way to die!
ReplyDeleteI am thankful that the boys were rescued. It could have been worse.
DeleteGreat advice. Hopefully the boy will be ok.
ReplyDeleteLatest news, it looks as it he will be okay.
DeleteI see that they are claiming that they didn't know they were not allowed there, but I not buying that. I am very familiar with the area, and it is clearly posted to stay on the trails and they are clearly marked.
It looks like it would be very easy indeed to slip off the top of Beachy Head.
ReplyDeleteIt is deceptive how close you are to the edge, I don't get too close myself, it is scary!
DeleteWasn't it just last week that two teenagers had to be resued from the side of stone mountain..I saw it on the news. I visited their often growing up, we always had a season pass. Now that I'm not young anymore I am not able to climb it, but do enjoy the other activities there..love Stone Mountain Village.
ReplyDeleteIt happened two days ago, on Tuesday. Like you, we have enjoyed Stone Mountain for years! I can still climb, although I SWEAR the mountain is getting steeper. Nothing to do with my aging body, I am sure! :-)
DeleteIt's a beautiful spot.
I've found that, Kay. Mountains get steeper as the years go by. I don't know why they don't do some research into it! It must be something to do with Tectonic Plates. Unfortunately, all our mountains have now become vertical - or so it seems.
DeleteThe biggest problem in Britain is people disregarding the weather forecast and going inadequately shod or clad. Most of our mountains don't have trails and you wander where you like but it is always at your own risk and most people have the sense to take due care. Accidents do happen when things like mist come down unexpectedly or a person twists an ankle, etc. The Mountain Rescue don't mind that but the idiots who go up in city shoes without clothing to accomodate a 25 degree (Centigrade) change in weather are not appreciated!
There just was a very sad story of a couple in the desert in Utah, they had gotten lost for a few hours and in the extreme heat of the day, the young wife died.
DeleteA tragic story that could have been prevented.
We need to do some research into these mountains, maybe something to do with global AGING? HA
It's the same with the speed limits people ignore all of the time. They think, "I'm okay, I know what I'm doing, but not being civil engineers or safety experts, they can't "see" why the limits are set as they are.
ReplyDeleteFamous last words, "Hey, guys, watch this!"
A shame that people won't obey limits and signs.
DeleteBeachy Head looks pretty scary, Kay! That's quite high, and easily proves fatal. It's always best to be careful when you're out enjoying nature, and extremely important to follow advice that the authorities post around parks, trails, etc.
ReplyDeleteBeachy Head is an incredibly beautiful spot, but you are right, it is very high and very dangerous if you get too close to the edge. The very same holds true for Stone Mountain. Also, you never know where the stone might end at Stone Mountain or Arabia Mountain for that matter, both were quarried so much you see, the stone cut away, making sheer stone cliffs.
DeleteOne of my big regrets from my truckin' days is failing to actually go and see Stone Mountain. I cannot even start to count how many times I have seen the exits for it, but I just cruised on by. Alas, I have seen the signs for so very many places that I never actually saw.
ReplyDeleteStone Mountain is not going anywhere, you know! Come on down, and we can push each other up the mountain (or take the skylift up!!)
DeleteI am at peace about the places that I have never seen in my life. I might not ever see Paris, but I love it all the same!
We have similar accidents in our state park that has some high hiking areas...people..usually teens, think they can go any place and not get hurt. This is a good life lesson..many times we're tempted to get off the narrow path and end up needing to be rescued! So stay on the straight and narrow Kay and enjoy this weekend!
ReplyDeleteAnd God bless those who are there to rescue those who are in trouble! I have such admiration for first responders!
DeleteRichard and I just got back from a 2 1/2 mile walk and we watched the sun setting over Alexander Lake, a lovely evening!
Hope you have a great weekend too!
We have similar problems here in Hawaii where people go hiking where they shouldn't and have to be rescued. Sometimes, it's too late. People have a false sense of security in Paradise, I guess.
ReplyDeleteYour Stone Mountain sounds so beautiful. I would really love to see it some day.
Maybe they are distracted by the beauty and they forget they need to pay attention!
DeleteYou would LOVE Stone Mountain! The Yellow Daisies will be blooming in about six weeks, I can't wait!!
I really enjoyed your post and the comments that it generated. I fear that some people will never heed instructions - they have to go there just because it is there. When I watch the rescue helicopter from my front windows, doing exercises over Bayble Island - sometimes in the foulest of weather - I feel eternally grateful for those brave men and women who go out in all weathers to rescue the foolhardy as well as the innocent. Living on an Island surrounded by some of the most dangerous waters in the world I am grateful to the lifeboat too.
ReplyDeleteI always try to get to the Lifeboat Station Gift Shop in Eastbourne and buy something there since it is for such a good cause. (I bet you know right where it is!)
DeleteLike you, I am very grateful for those who rescue those who are in peril. It must be such a tough job. My heart goes out to them.
Thanks for your comment, Pat!
I hope to get a song by C's band on here soon! I am having computer problems, I can hardly see on this computer I am using just now, no telling what I have typed here, I can hardly see it! xx