Horrific Ways To Die

[Square Rob]

So, we had a dear friend die in an absolutely horrible manner yesterday. Obviously tough to process so might as well share and talk where I can.

In France, where people retire earlier and live longer, there are organizations for retired people to do activities. Things like organized hiking trips, bridge clubs, basketball, etc. We have a number of friends that are members of the local one, and some that even are guides for the hikes. Since we are in the mountains the outdoor activity ones are pretty popular.

Yesterday, our friend Nicole was snowshoeing with her husband and a group of eighteen others. She slipped and fell on some snow on top of ice and everyone looked on as she slid over and off the edge of a 700 foot drop. As someone who does lots of extreme hikes, that fear is always in the back of my head so I will definitely have some nightmares about it. But I also can’t stop putting myself in her husband’s shoes and seeing it happen and being absolutely helpless to stop it. The last sound you hear from her and last sight you have of her is a scream and gone. Same with the others in the group. A further mindfuck, my good friend Guy-Michel typically leads this particular group. This week though is their annual trip to Morocco for golf. Personally I’m glad he wasn’t there because I think he would be carrying a ton of guilt about it. But actually I think it might be worse that he wasn’t because he will feel the same.

But then, also, it’s a hell of a way to go. Terrifying I’m sure, but quick. And one people won’t forget. A part of me thinks I would prefer to go gloriously in some similar way than quietly. I don’t know, but it’s a thought that popped in my head.

[Giff]

Holy shit, that's so awful. Kinda reminds me of my experience with my Dad's death. I feel so bad for her husband and the entire group. Sorry for your loss.

[rass]

JFC, sorry man.

[Jerloma]

Sorry about your friend, Nicole. That is horrific indeed. My friend Alex died similarly. No snow but hiking on edge of a cliff in California, and it gave out. Only an 80-foot drop but landed to head to rock unfortunately.

[P.D.X.]

Oof. Good reminder that one wrong step or mindless moment and it's lights out. Whether on a mountain or not. Had an uncle last year who was under his car changing the oil and.... yep. Be mindful out there, ppl.

[sancarlos]

So sorry, Bob.

When my youngest brother was in high school, he and his good friends were drinking beer atop the Colorado National Monument, near Grand Junction. One of his friends was mindlessly kicking rocks off a cliff, accidentally followed through too hard once, and went over the edge, down hundreds of feet to his death. Fucked with my brother’s head for the rest of his life.

[Nonlinear FC]

1) During high school, one of my friends lost his youngest brother to a drowning accident. I've you've ever visited Great Falls (MD or VA) or taken a walk along the C&O Canal, you've seen the signs about the insane currents and undertow in the Potomac River. And yet, tragically, every year a few folks die from drowning. There are places that look perfectly calm and tranquil, but you jump off a rock and plunge down 8 or so feet and the undercurrent grabs you and yeets you down river 200 yards.

2) I was often REALLY surprised by some of the overlooks and paths we saw in the parks we visited in Utah last year. Like... There's nothing between you and a 500-foot drop in a place like, well... All of them, really. Bryce seemed to have the most "normal" walled-off overlooks, but... Canyonlands? I can easily see someone not paying attention and plummeting from many spots in that park.

[A_B]

1) During high school, one of my friends lost his youngest brother to a drowning accident. I've you've ever visited Great Falls (MD or VA) or taken a walk along the C&O Canal, you've seen the signs about the insane currents and undertow in the Potomac River. And yet, tragically, every year a few folks die from drowning. There are places that look perfectly calm and tranquil, but you jump off a rock and plunge down 8 or so feet and the undercurrent grabs you and yeets you down river 200 yards.

2) I was often REALLY surprised by some of the overlooks and paths we saw in the parks we visited in Utah last year. Like... There's nothing between you and a 500-foot drop in a place like, well... All of them, really. Bryce seemed to have the most "normal" walled-off overlooks, but... Canyonlands? I can easily see someone not paying attention and plummeting from many spots in that park.

You may have a problem.

[Nonlinear FC]

I'm working that one in slowly. Stop blowing up my spot.

[The Sybian]

1) During high school, one of my friends lost his youngest brother to a drowning accident. I've you've ever visited Great Falls (MD or VA) or taken a walk along the C&O Canal, you've seen the signs about the insane currents and undertow in the Potomac River. And yet, tragically, every year a few folks die from drowning. There are places that look perfectly calm and tranquil, but you jump off a rock and plunge down 8 or so feet and the undercurrent grabs you and yeets you down river 200 yards.

2) I was often REALLY surprised by some of the overlooks and paths we saw in the parks we visited in Utah last year. Like... There's nothing between you and a 500-foot drop in a place like, well... All of them, really. Bryce seemed to have the most "normal" walled-off overlooks, but... Canyonlands? I can easily see someone not paying attention and plummeting from many spots in that park.

You may have a problem.

NLFC needs a new avatar:

[Nonlinear FC]

rizz, cap/no cap, skibbidy, Ohio.


yeet

[tennbengal]

jfc, I am so sorry for your loss, Bobp.

[Johnnie]

1) During high school, one of my friends lost his youngest brother to a drowning accident. I've you've ever visited Great Falls (MD or VA) or taken a walk along the C&O Canal, you've seen the signs about the insane currents and undertow in the Potomac River. And yet, tragically, every year a few folks die from drowning. There are places that look perfectly calm and tranquil, but you jump off a rock and plunge down 8 or so feet and the undercurrent grabs you and yeets you down river 200 yards.

2) I was often REALLY surprised by some of the overlooks and paths we saw in the parks we visited in Utah last year. Like... There's nothing between you and a 500-foot drop in a place like, well... All of them, really. Bryce seemed to have the most "normal" walled-off overlooks, but... Canyonlands? I can easily see someone not paying attention and plummeting from many spots in that park.

You may have a problem.

NLFC needs a new avatar:

This would work too:

[Johnnie]

I remember in high school my dad came home from work and asked if I heard the news. A dude I went to school with hanged himself. Seemed weird, but like holy crap.

Well, what happened was the younger brother of a dude I went to school with wanted to play a joke on his mom by faking a hanging. I think the older brothers agreed.

So they set it all up, the belt was placed around his neck, and he was released to hang. The safety (or lack thereof) line snapped, and the belt tightened quickly around his neck strangling him.

I don't know the exact circumstances, but yea, that was horrible. The kid was like 8 or 9, I think at the time.

[govmentchedda]

That's awful, fivesides.

[DaveInSeattle]

I remember in high school my dad came home from work and asked if I heard the news. A dude I went to school with hanged himself. Seemed weird, but like holy crap.

Well, what happened was the younger brother of a dude I went to school with wanted to play a joke on his mom by faking a hanging. I think the older brothers agreed.

So they set it all up, the belt was placed around his neck, and he was released to hang. The safety (or lack thereof) line snapped, and the belt tightened quickly around his neck strangling him.

I don't know the exact circumstances, but yea, that was horrible. The kid was like 8 or 9, I think at the time.

Jesus...

[HaulCitgo]

Horrible for hubby. Sorry to hear about your friend

[Shirley]

Yeah, that's terribly Bobby. I'm really sorry for your friend.

[Square Rob]

2) I was often REALLY surprised by some of the overlooks and paths we saw in the parks we visited in Utah last year. Like... There's nothing between you and a 500-foot drop in a place like, well... All of them, really. Bryce seemed to have the most "normal" walled-off overlooks, but... Canyonlands? I can easily see someone not paying attention and plummeting from many spots in that park.

Yeah, first time at Zion I did Angels Landing. There was a woman at the bottom screaming at everyone to not do the hike. Turns out her teenage son had died on it the day before.

[Shirley]

2) I was often REALLY surprised by some of the overlooks and paths we saw in the parks we visited in Utah last year. Like... There's nothing between you and a 500-foot drop in a place like, well... All of them, really. Bryce seemed to have the most "normal" walled-off overlooks, but... Canyonlands? I can easily see someone not paying attention and plummeting from many spots in that park.

Yeah, first time at Zion I did Angels Landing. There was a woman at the bottom screaming at everyone to not do the hike. Turns out her teenage son had died on it the day before.

Damn. That would put quite a damper on a hike. (I'd still do it)

[Square Rob]

2) I was often REALLY surprised by some of the overlooks and paths we saw in the parks we visited in Utah last year. Like... There's nothing between you and a 500-foot drop in a place like, well... All of them, really. Bryce seemed to have the most "normal" walled-off overlooks, but... Canyonlands? I can easily see someone not paying attention and plummeting from many spots in that park.

Yeah, first time at Zion I did Angels Landing. There was a woman at the bottom screaming at everyone to not do the hike. Turns out her teenage son had died on it the day before.

Damn. That would put quite a damper on a hike. (I'd still do it)

Yes, and yes. Probably made me a little more careful though.