The Kolob Tragedy (book)

[ratagonia]

Just out...

The Kolob Tragedy
The Lost Tale of a Canyoneering Calamity

by Noel DeNevers

In July 1993, five teenage boys and three men on an LDS youth group attempted a canyoneering trip in Kolob Creek of Zion National Park. The upstream Kolob Reservoir was releasing a ton per second of water through the canyon. Though this flow surprised them at the canyon's entrance, the leader believed that the park's rangers had assured them that their trip was safe, so they continued. Two of the adult leaders quickly drowned; the remaining man and five boys were trapped in the canyon for five days until the Park Service rescued them.

This book tells the story of the group's tragic adventure and explores its damage suit against the National Park Service and the Washington County Water Conservancy District (owner of the reservoir). The reader is invited to consider who was to blame for this tragedy: was it an "Act of God"; or negligence on the part of the Park Service and the Water District; or poor judgment on the part of the trip's leaders? The case settled out of court for $2.24 million, raising another question: was the amount of money that changed hands appropriate?

128 pages including maps and photos.
ISBN 978-0-9789614-4-2
Published by CanyoneeringUSA Press June 18, 2016

http://www.store.canyoneeringusa.co...The-Kolob-Tragedy/p/67744064/category=2490806

[Brian in SLC]

Same Noel de Nevers as the ChE professor at the U of U? Did he work some fluid mechanics into the story?

[Scott P]

I already ordered the book, but I am curious. What is the object that the jumper is holding?

[jman]

I already ordered the book, but I am curious. What is the object that the jumper is holding?

Maybe a bag of some sort, like a first-aid kit for the kid he is jumping to?


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[Scott P]

It's a cooking pot set. Apparently it wouldn't fit in the backpack.

[ratagonia]

Same Noel de Nevers as the ChE professor at the U of U? Did he work some fluid mechanics into the story?

He is an expert expert-witness. And a canyoneer, so he was retained as an expert witness by the defense for a few weeks.

No turbulent flow analysis in this version.

Tom

[Taylor]

I already ordered the book, but I am curious. What is the object that the jumper is holding?

Im sure it's a Dutch oven. Handy to have around on a canyon bivy.

[Brian in SLC]

He is an expert expert-witness. And a canyoneer, so he was retained as an expert witness by the defense for a few weeks.

No turbulent flow analysis in this version.

Fun...many moons ago...ate dinner with he and Clancy at their house. Good times.

Whens the book signing?

[ratagonia]

Fun...many moons ago...ate dinner with he and Clancy at their house. Good times.

Whens the book signing?

Only one scheduled so far: Jun 30th at Out N Back in Orem.

T

[dakotabelliston]

I'm interested if anyone has input on exactly how they died in the canyon? I've heard a couple rumors but have never really looked more into it. Seams the consensus was they rappelled into water that had a undercurrent from the high flow of the water, resulting in them being pulled under and drowining? Any response appreciated.

Obviously I will have to read this book to find out more in depth details. Thanks for sharing this !!!

[ratagonia]

I'm interested if anyone has input on exactly how they died in the canyon? I've heard a couple rumors but have never really looked more into it. Seams the consensus was they rappelled into water that had a undercurrent from the high flow of the water, resulting in them being pulled under and drowining? Any response appreciated.

Obviously I will have to read this book to find out more in depth details. Thanks for sharing this !!!

The more immediate cause of death was that they rappelled into a resurgence, and hit their heads, which results in drowning. Two separate incidents at separate places; same result.

One reason helmets are a really good idea when doing technical stuff around water.

Tom

[Iceaxe]

I'm interested if anyone has input on exactly how they died in the canyon? I've heard a couple rumors but have never really looked more into it.

I have spoken with all the scouts involved, several of the SAR team members and the helicopter crew that pulled the scouts out. Bottom line they died by drowning caused by jumping into a swirling pool of water they could not escape.



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[ratagonia]

First Book Reading: Out N Back in Orem, 7 pm

http://www.meetup.com/Out-N-Back-Eve...nts/232071887/

[dakotabelliston]

Thank you for the response !!!