[pct-l] Hikers over Yosemite falls

[Stewart Johns]

Sue Kettles wrote: How many of us have done something totally stupid that should 
have cost us
greatly but we sigh a huge relief for the grace or the luck that kept us out
of trouble.  Yes is was totally stupid - as I'm sure they were thinking as
they plunged over the falls.  

I would hope that we'd instead be thinking of the shock and sadness that
those left behind are experiencing right now, and sending our thoughts and
prayers that way instead of such a harsh response.  "He who is without sin
may cast the first stone".  
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I was a young 20 something back in 1974, just out of the service, hitching my 
way back home when I decided to stop at Yellowstone Park for some impromptu 
hiking in the backcountry.
I didn’t have a lot of gear, but it didn’t matter, because I was only day 
hiking, and wanted to experience some of the wildlife.  

My theory was that I was a nature boy, and therefore the animals would pick up 
on that and would allow me to get closer to them then they would allow the 
regular park visitors.  I felt that at that time I had a special ability to 
commune with nature.  After all, I rationalized, up to this point I had spent 
countless hours and miles hiking the back country and learned all I could about 
nature and its ways, and was very confident in my abilities.  

I came upon a herd of Bison grazing on the prairie.   There were probably 20 or 
30 of them.  They seemed very docile.  I crept up closer to watch them in their 
natural habitat, and they really didn’t mind me being there.
I inched my way closer and closer until I was right in their midst.  They didn’t 
bolt or stampede or really do anything.  They just continued to graze, ignoring 
me.  I took this as an affirmation that I was indeed tuned in to nature, and was 
able to commune with the wildest of animals.  I was the ultimate nature boy.  

I walked right up to one of the Bison to see if he would mind, and again, 
nothing happened.  He just stood there.  I slowly began to pet him as one would 
pet a favorite pet.  It didn’t even faze him.  He just kept on grazing.  By now 
I was convinced I had special powers.  Remember I was only in my early 20s and 
pretty dumb.  

Well, I started to give this Bison a hug, when suddenly he reared up his head, 
and head butted me right in the nose.  I was shocked at the sudden movement and 
the resulting pain.  My nose was broken and I was bleeding all over the place.  

The Bison just walked off.
It could have been much worse.  He could have gored me, trampled me, or killed 
me I guess.  I was such a touron.  

As I think back on this event, I am amazed at my stupidity.  I am also still 
somewhat embarrassed, even though 40 years have passed.  

When we are young, we think we are invincible, and will take risks that others 
with more years under their belt would not think of doing.  I certainly would 
never even think of doing something like that again.  

I wanted to respond to this thread, because I think that everyone does stupid 
things from time to time, and sometimes it costs us dearly.  For some it is 
their lives, others it is some debilitating injury that lasts a life time.  For 
me it was just a bloody nose and the realization that animals in the wild are 
just that,  Wild. No matter how much time you spend in the wilderness, they will 
not recognize you as a kindred spirit.
 
Doc Holiday