Corona Arch Rope Swing

[Sombeech]

Making a really great video of swinging the arch has had consequences. One of those consequences is that people less prepared and less savvy will do the same thing, but do it poorly, resulting in damage to the arch, and to themselves.

Just as I have responsibility for the rope grooves and trails on the sandpile in Spry Canyon, because I am the original publicist for that specific canyon.

Tom

This is true, but when people see the rope grooves in Spry, will they curse your name in a knee jerk reaction, or will they look for individual parties that were directly responsible for the damage?

In most, if not all of the articles reporting the death, they write about "the video". Although possibly hundreds of people have swung the arch by now, it's always "the video" they are indirectly blaming. It's unfortunate.

[Brian in SLC]

Why didn't they ask to swing on our setup? Why didn't I push it when I half-heartedly offered and he declined? I honestly didn't believe more than two of them would jump. It wouldn't have delayed us more than a couple hours. Most of the time, discussions like this on Bogley seem like "preaching to the choir". We are here because we are skilled and responsible to some degree and want to learn more. But this is what I should have done and maybe we can learn to do this better: push the issue if you have more experience, skills or even just years. Look in the eyes, "do you know what you're doing? You can use my ropes. Hell, you can have my ropes." I'm sorry for the indulgent, selfish nature of posting this. I don't think I've ever felt like I do today. My buddy Jeff is taking it hard. I don't know how he told Ethan. I'm sorry.

That's some tough stuff. I ponder this when I see a less than saavy group out climbing, or, whatever. But, the difference, I get to see them in action and can tell if they're kinda experienced, or, sans clue. Its tough to speak up without coming across like a know-it-all or worse. Unless I think someone is in imminent danger, I might just offer some friendly advice, or, check 'em out a bit more closely then pass on by. Sometimes I get to the parking lot and wonder if they did ok.

Don't know what else you could have done.

Did you get a gander at their ropes? Static or dynamic? Did they see you guys suss out the distance?

Tragic mistake. Ugh. What if what if what if. Crazy stuff to ponder. Not a bad thing to dwell on a bit, but, hope it doesn't consume too much. Good luck! Talk to folks if you need to.

Condolences to the family and friends of the young man.

[Scott P]

So I'm not sure how this works so maybe Tom or anyone else familiar with BLM (rather should I say, Corona arch is managed by the BLM) could they or SITLA close it down or bar access from the top, legally that is

I'm not sure what the process they have to go through is, but yes, they can close it down. I believe SITLA can actually close anything they want, in fact most of their lands aren't open to the public.

[Mountaineer]

I'm sorry for the indulgent, selfish nature of posting this. I don't think I've ever felt like I do today. My buddy Jeff is taking it hard. I don't know how he told Ethan. I'm sorry.

Thanks for sharing and posting. Very tough. I can't imagine what you are going through.

It was not your fault.

[Iceaxe]

Wouldn't surprise me to see STILA blow the arch up. After all, this is the same group that filled Nutty Putty Cave with concrete. I see little difference between the cave and the arch. They are both a beautiful act of nature that has deadly potential when poor judgment is used.

Tap'n on my Galaxy G3

[Eric Holden]

Lots of talk about this out here in Cali, my non-outdoors wife heard about it and brought it to my attention. Very sad to hear and I send all my best wishes to the family.

[UintaSolitude]

You're totally right and this was something that sombeech and I already discussed. While the media, Youtube, and Mountain Project didn't waste any time in flaming us, Bogley was nothing but civil. Most of the responses were positive and even the ones that disagreed with what we did were civil, fair, and logical. Your post was of the same high caliber and I appreciated it.

Trail Master, God bless!....The issue I take with those flaming you, is that life is risky and tragic accidents happen all the time. Somehow as certain activities become more mainstream and popular we no longer questions the hundreds, or thousands of deaths that occur in those activities. One tragedy occurs in an upstart sport and that sport and the individuals that participate in it are villified. I think this is unfortunate. Perhaps we should have forums of debate over every bicycle rider that is killed, and ensure that bicycles can't be sold or used. Those of us that take risks in the lifestyles we choose need to take personal responsibility for our choices and the consequences, and most of us do. Society needs to get off their soap boxes and let us benefit from the rewards and consequences of the lives we live....Corona Arch will be shut down to the public, it's all but inevitable. I think that is a cowardly knee jerk response to one horrible event, considering I can still bike, ski, race dirt bikes, race automobiles, swim, jet ski etc. even after thousands of deaths....Thank you for your patience with contrary opinions to yours. Thank you for the care, precision, and expertise that you put into your hobbies, so that others that participate in them will not be judged on your mistakes and errors....This is simply a very sad tragedy. I don't see the benefit of over analysis into the values of the sport.

[Iceaxe]

I find it silly to blame others for poor judgment, lack of experience, stupid mistakes or just plain old bad luck. People need to step up and take personal responsible for their own actions and the results of those actions.

I find the rope swing videos very entertaining, but only an idiot would fail to see the dangers.

Tap'n on my Galaxy G3

[Brian in SLC]

I find the rope swing videos very entertaining, but only an idiot would fail to see the dangers.

Maybe so, but...

Realize folks outside this community are finding this thread (already seen it cross referenced on another forum). When family and friends of the deceased read your comments, and they will, I guess I'd say to err on the side of a wee bit of compassion.

[Iceaxe]

I do have compassion and feel for the family. I'm also pretty sure Kyle Stocking understood the dangers... my comment was directed more towards those who would advocate shutting the arch down. Most who recreate in the outdoors understand it is not Disneyland and nothing in the wilds of nature is guaranteed to be safe. Sorry if my poorly worded comment was misunderstood.

[kiwi_outdoors]

Y'all know what will eventually happen. Canyoneering will be outlawed because its an easy thing for a bureaucracy to do. Not for any other reason. Its a certainty. So enjoy it while you can. And when an environmentalist whines about rope grooves remind them that on a per ton basis mother nature destroys the parks squadrillions of times faster than we do with natural erosion and weathering. The good news is that there is still a lot to enjoy without ropework.

[spinesnaper]

Unfortunately whether it is in the line of duty making the ultimate sacrifice for country so the rest of us can sleep secure in our homes, or from some tragic accident in the pursuit of a beloved outdoor activity, no one is prepared to loose a 22 year old. I am not even sure if our brains are mature at age 22 ( mine wasn't). I am pretty sure that I am here because I got lucky on more than a couple of occasions when I was that old (I know I am not alone). Thank god my family was not there it watch me crash and burn. But now we live in a world were a Gopro and Youtube give us all access to mass media. The consequences of this are really unfathomable. I have no doubt that locking up all the bicycles in the world will make the world far more safer that turning a stone arch into gravel. But that is little solace if you have just lost your son, brother, husband, or best friend.

Ken

[Bootboy]

Y'all know what will eventually happen. Canyoneering will be outlawed because its an easy thing for a bureaucracy to do. Not for any other reason. Its a certainty. So enjoy it while you can. And when an environmentalist whines about rope grooves remind them that on a per ton basis mother nature destroys the parks squadrillions of times faster than we do with natural erosion and weathering. The good news is that there is still a lot to enjoy without ropework.

And we're going to do it to ourselves.
I'll admit that I'm somewhat selfish when it comes to these types of activities. I don't go around telling everyone I know how great Kolob canyon is. It's bad enough that the subway is a freakng zoo already. We popularize this crap and all the city dwelling sheeple flock to our places of solace. 127 Hours was a disaster for the sport of canyoneering. I've been a back country traveler since I've been able to walk. My dad was a redneck from the blueridge mountains who lived in the woods as a teenager, my grandfather was a forest service ranger. It's great for people to get out appreciate our beautiful world but for the hidden nooks and crannies, those rare and special places, there is definitely a critical mass, that once reached, means diminishing returns for all. I know this sounds seething and misanthropic, but it's the truth. I may have a selfish sense of entitlement to these things, but thats fine with me. I tell people to go to Zion and hike emerald pools, that the rest of the park is not all that exciting. I don't even mention any of the other canyon destinations in Utah i.e. escalante, the swell, etc.. People who publish this stuff (articles about the subway in national publications) for a buck or for readership I think fail to comprehend the consequences or they simply don't give a shit.

The videos produced by devinsupertramp and the like kind of bother me. I know that people are responsible for their own actions, but human nature is so painfully predictable that you can not reasonably refute the fact that someone would eventually get killed emulating your "rad" videos. Youtube is a curse in this regard.

I could go on but I won't. I'm grumpy anyway. I've already said too much.

[Iceaxe]

This article contains some additional information and confirms underestimating the stretch of a dynamic climbing rope was a contributing factor.


Parents of man killed in arch swing accident preach caution
KSL - By Viviane Vo-Duc
March 26th, 2013 @ 7:02pm

WEST JORDAN — Their son attempted to swing from Corona Arch in Moab, but a miscalculation cost him his life.

On Tuesday, Mike and Linda Stocking spoke about their 22-year-old son, Kyle Stocking, and his love for adventure. They knew they couldn’t stop him, and they have advice for thrill-seekers:

"Think about your parents, your family, your friends before you do things like this, because you might lose your life, and it’s going to absolutely devastate your family," Linda Stocking said.

The couple said their son loved life and lived it to the fullest, and they knew that he was planning to go to Moab to do the jump.

“It was something that he wanted to do,” his mother said. “I finally learned a long time ago, you cannot change your children. They are going to do what they’re going to do.”

His parents had seen the YouTube video titled “World’s Largest Rope Swing” and were apprehensive about the trip.

"I didn't think he would do it,” she said. “But when I learned he was going to do it, I almost had to block it out of my mind that he was going to go, because if I sit there and think about everything that he does, I would go crazy. It’s too scary to me. I am not adventurous.”

Their son was an experienced rock climber, but he was overly excited and undertrained for this endeavor. The day he left on his trip, his parents were heading out to California.

“Before he left, I was standing at the bottom of the stairs, and he was standing at the top (waving) and saying, ‘Goodbye, Mom.’ I said, 'OK, please be careful and take care of each other.' ”

Kyle Stocking and five friends set up a rope swing on the natural arch Sunday afternoon. They miscalculated the length of the rope, however, and Stocking hit the ground when he tried to swing, sustaining fatal injuries. His parents got a call that evening.

“I couldn’t believe it was Kyle, just, just in disbelief,” his mother said in tears.

“It was the hardest phone call I ever received,” Mike Stocking said. “It’s a surreal thing. It’s almost like an out-of-body experience. Until a person ever goes through it, they will never understand how devastating that phone call is.”

The loss of his son hasn’t sunk in yet, he said. “I’m still waiting for him to come in (at lunch), waiting for someone to say, ‘Just kidding, this isn’t real.’ ”

He said he and his family are going through the grieving process.

“I pray that the young men and women who do things like this stop to think for a moment of the risks involved and those people left behind that are going to be broken-hearted,” he said.

His wife said if someone has the desire to do something and it’s their passion, they should do it. “But just be really safe,” she said. “Go with someone who has done it before. Learn. Be taught. Don’t just dive into it, because you may lose your life.”

They don’t believe his friends had ever done the jump or any kind of test on the rope beforehand. “(The rope) stretched too far,” Linda Stocking said. “They just miscalculated quite a ways, from what we understand.”

They met with Kyle’s friends Tuesday and shared the pain from the experience. “Our hearts are broken for the horrible thing they had to witness and the long, hard drive that they had coming back, knowing that their friend was gone,” Mike Stocking said.

The Stockings say they are also grateful to the nurse who helped their son and for members of their LDS faith who gave Kyle a blessing before he passed away.

His mother wants to go visit Corona Arch. “I want to hike where it is,” she said getting very emotional. “I want to see it, I want to be where he was the last time.”

An account* has been set up in Kyle Stocking's name at Granite Credit Union to help cover funeral costs. The funds will also go toward a memorial plaque that friends and family are hoping to place at the base of Corona Arch.

The Utah Trust Lands Administration will review the request.

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=24555020&nid...s_cid=queue-11

[accadacca]

Man, that is rough. Be careful out there.

[Sombeech]

I'm heading to Moab today, I'll bet corona arch will be a madhouse. Not even gonna think about it.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[Iceaxe]

We all knew this was coming..... BLM officials in the Canyon Country District, are currently reviewing extreme sport activities such as rope-swinging and high-lining with an eye towards how best to balance uses and visitor experiences in the backcountry.

According to BLM Utah spokesperson Megan Crandall:

“The BLM Canyon Country District Office has been reviewing activities like rope swinging and high-lining, as well as the conflicts that can arise between high energy, high adrenaline pursuits and the more quiet experiences often sought by other public land users at scenic attractions like Corona Arch,”

“Looking ahead, the Moab Field Office will be taking a closer look at appropriate ways to balance and manage these activities on public lands.”

[mr. incognito]

[QUOTE=Iceaxe;531158]We all knew this was coming..... BLM officials in the Canyon Country District, are currently reviewing extreme sport activities such as rope-swinging and high-lining with an eye towards how best to balance uses and visitor experiences in the backcountry.

According to BLM Utah spokesperson Megan Crandall:

[I]

[blamkin86]

I feel that reckless behavior should be talked about and analysed by the sport community not avoided due to some misguided wish to not offend the family.

With all due respect, I think you should go back and read the BLM statement again. They are discussing whether innocent people out for a nice day at Corona Arch, should have to be endangered by people swinging off the arch. If you also go back and read the incident report, you'll see that a young girl bystander was almost hit by the test pack.

Again, not trying to be preachy here, but I really feel you're missing the BLM's point. While this was a terrible tragedy, can you imaging the backlash had that little girl been injured or worse?

[Iceaxe]

And in the Johnny-come-lately department.... Outside Magazine throws their 2 cents into the mix.

http://www.outsideonline.com/adventu...blic-Land.html