Taughannock Falls State Park

[Brenda]

If the video weren't so old, I'd turn it into the authorities. It's a terrible message to send to people. It's idiots like them who end up costing money, using resources and putting other lives at risk to rescue their asses.

[Matt]

haha exactly what I said.

[champy1013]

wow. Can't say I haven't wondered though what it would be like to stand on top of that thing

[Matt]

When in college, I drove down there with a bunch of college friends and one scaled the rock pile to the left of the falls (goes half-way up the gorge), while the other swam in the pool under the falls. Of course I would never do that myself.

[L_G_D]

Interesting, I can't say I haven't done exactly the same thing at Kaaterskill, and many other falls. I can understand the park having to fence off that area, but there are plenty of other falls on public land (aforementioned Kaaterskill) where there are no fences, even trails leading to the top, so one wonders what makes Taughannock any different? Just the sheer volume of people that go there? Again, on a hot summer day at Kaaterskill, you will see crowds of people at the top, even wading in the water above the falls, so again, why is this one any different? The very fact that there are fences and "DO NOT ENTER" signs just makes it more attractive for people to want to go there. If they just gave in and built a stairway to the top, you'd have less problems, I would think. I guess if you have a fence and signs, you can then arrest the people who do go there and get some fine money for the town, so there's that.

[hobkyl]

I concur with LGD on this. While it's obviously not wise to stand at the crest of a falls 215 ft in height, I'm sure most of us waterfall enthusiasts have stood at the edge of a falls, or climbed them, or did some sketchy foot work to get to a hidden away spot. Often in much more wild settings that would require far more of a rescue effort than if something were to occur at Taughannock. I'm not saying I condone the acts of these folks, and surely posting it on youtube isn't too bright but I think a good portion of hikers (myself included) are adventurous spirited people and have all in one shape or another stood in a spot whether for a view or photograph that at any given moment their lives could have been gone in the blink of an eye.

If I were going to go through the effort to get into the upper portion of the creek, it would be to photograph the upper falls from the base. The idea of standing in that location doesn't excite me, it would make me quite nervous.

[Brenda]

If they just gave in and built a stairway to the top, you'd have less problems, I would think. I guess if you have a fence and signs, you can then arrest the people who do go there and get some fine money for the town, so there's that.

Really? I just don't even know how to respond. Do you know how many times idiots have used emergency resources and risked other lives because they've put themselves into dangerous situations in the county parks only to need rescuing? Let's just allow people to swim at the base of the falls as well. After all, chunks the size of cars only slough off once every few years and people only get crushed once in a blue moon...

[Matt]

One spring I was at Taughannock at the observation area (upper area of the gorge). A french couple was chatting at the overlook. It wasn't until I approached the cement barrier near then that I saw their two children, both less then 10 years old for sure, playing in the brush under the observation area, easily a foot or so near the cliff edge. This is an elevation above the gorge higher than the falls itself.
I think think I have ever been so appalled by the behavior of parents in my life. I was speechless. Even pointing out the children's position was without meaning. The parents knew, they just didn't give a shit.
Anyways, barrier or no, people are stupid. So, should we just let Darwin decide? Brenda has a point. Nothing pisses me off more than some dolt bringing their stupid dog on a trail where dogs are not allowed, only to have that clueless animal fall down into letchworth gorge, and 1 helicopter, 2 county rescue teams, and tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars later the dog is rescued. Human lives are definitely worth rescuing, but we all pay for those dunces that fall in. So.. would i rather pay $10k every decade to put up a fence? or would I rather pay $10k every few years when a moron gets trapped or killed?
(Someone please delete this post after I get trapped or killed in a gorge).