14ers.com

mountaintan wrote:I agree, that looks like a stock photo of how the falls usually look. Positive thoughts and prayers for all those involved. It's been a hard couple of weeks here in Buena Vista...hoping for the best!

Now that I've clicked on the larger version of the photo those are clearly everyday visitors.

BTW, notice in the other link the remark about a sign warning of falling rock.

R

Channel 4 just did a "live shot" from the scene and it doesn't sound good. The reporter said he has been told it is not being actively searched due to too much ongoing instability in the area. He also said that some boulders were 10-30 tons -- I hope he had that wrong. On the good side of the ledger he reported that the 13 year-old girl had been pulled out and transported to Denver medical facilities.

R

This is a picture from last May.

I think all of the pictures from the 7News article are stock. Photo 1 would be someone standing in the yellow square looking down. Photos 2 and 4 are views in the red square. Photo 3 is roughly the view shown in the yellow square, which is why the water flow can't be seen.

The rock is pretty solid below the falls and gets progressively looser higher up. A rock slide could easily occur in the yellow square and affect people below.

This is such a beautiful place and easily accessible to all levels of hikers. Very sad to hear about this accident.

Thanks for that shot. I forgot about that area to the left. I was thinking of the slab further up to the left of that.

This is the place I was thinking of at first.

I’ve been thinking about this all day, and have just been sick to my stomach. It’s hard to imagine a place of such beauty, that attracts the casualest of hikers and their families, as the site of such horrific tragedy. Hoping for any good news at all. My thoughts are with the injured, the friends, the families, and the rescue teams.

Channel 9 (KUSA) just reported that the 5 people buried under the rockslide have been declared deceased. RIP.

My thoughts and feelings going out to their families.

I just heard the same news. How horrible. My thoughts and prayers are with all those involved in this tragedy.

What a horrible tragedy, my prayers go out to the family and friends of the victims.

'Hope they were all laughing & full of big smiles from having just seen the falls moments before ....

R

+1 rarefied. I too hope their last moments were wonder-filled. Prayers for the recovery of the young girl. Sounds like she will endure more than physical pain. so very sad.

My condolences to their family and friends.

How terrible...my parents had taken me on that same hike on many occasions, ever since I was about 4 years old! It is one of my fondest memories as a very young child...I can't believe such a tragedy occurred there! Wishing the best for everyone!