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Peculiar Adirondack Beauty Conceals Fatal Danger One of the Adirondack
Mountains' most unique aquatic Story and Photos by Sam Hollingsworth "I remember standing up and feeling my arms, legs, and hands to see if my body was still intact and make sure I was not on my way to the afterlife," Eric LaPlante, reciting his 50-foot-plummet into less than three-feet of water at Split Rock Falls said. The recent college-graduate from Mechanicville, New York, was one of many tourists aiming to enjoy mesmerizing falls before his plans went awry.
The falls, located just outside of Elizabethtown, New York, consist of a large upper waterfall that dumps into a 20-foot round water hole - a gushing flow that guarantees to overcome one's body with ease. Surrounding that deposit, which is the landing for the highest and most common cliff-jump, are walls of overwhelming-sized rocks that have eroded underwater to create a trap when a jumper is overcome by the undertow. That pool then surges into another cascade, which pours into a narrow mouth that eventually becomes shallower as it progresses. The crisp, clear water and submerged rocks of the strip are surreal, creating trails only nature could make and the mind could only imagine. Finally, the water unloads into a series of smaller, separate gushes that splash over rocks. These several falls then drain into the largest pool, which is the actual "swimming hole" in which non-jumpers swim. The stunning cascades generate an imaginative view but also contain a dark side that is often underestimated. "We get at least one call every year for injuries at that spot and sometimes it's a fatality."
Surrounded
by the Adirondack
Mountains' historical 46 high peaks, when the water levels in the
area become excessive, the entire pool that the first waterfall pours
into becomes white and bubbly from the incoming water. This is considered
the most dangerous part of the falls and the spot where many people have
lost their lives. "People just don't judge the falls properly after
a rainfall," said New York State Trooper Captain John Tibbitts. According
to Tibbitts, in July 2006, four men were swimming and jumping at the falls.
One of them fell into the turbulent water and did not surface. His three
friends tried to find him as they despondently stood by awaiting his body
to surface. Hours later, the man's body was discovered downstream, but
it was too late. The victim was a resident of Scotia, New York who was
somewhat familiar with the falls, but like so many others, misjudged nature's
strength. The day after his death, dozens of people occupied the falls
again, regardless of the events that took place just one day earlier.
"Many people have died here over the years," Tibbitts, said.
"We get at least one call every year for injuries at that spot and
sometimes it's a fatality." "People have been coming here for decades; I have met old men up there that tell stories from their childhood," Tibbitts said. Over time, though, the falls have changed due to natural processes. Inside the top pool, where erosion has formed the "underwater trap," the current is strong enough that once a human body gets stuck under it, getting out is virtually impossible. This is how the majority of the deaths take place.
The other more rare cause of deaths at Split Rock is nicknamed the "leap of faith." This jump is the closest to Route 9 highway and is a much higher jump than the rest, nearly tripling them in height. The tricky part of this jump is the landing. The intended landing pool is only about eight feet in diameter and, even though it is rather deep, one slip from the top takeoff rock could be fatal. When preparing to jump from this spot, the jumper cannot see where he or she is actually trying to land; the jumper only knows to run his or her fastest and jump as far as possible to ensure they land in the small opening. Jumpers have one main rock to propel themselves from and all it takes is a little moisture to make the surface slippery and dangerous. "That was a surreal experience." In August of 2002, when LaPlante was in high school, he was enjoying the falls with friends when he was provoked to take the "leap of faith." Reluctant at first, LaPlante took the plunge but after jumping from the small rock, lost his footing and began barreling toward the rocks at full speed. A shriek of "Oh my god!" squealed through the air as a crowd of about 15 people watched in horror. A woman below him was relaxing and when she looked up to see what the commotion was about, she saw LaPlante plunging toward her. She quickly dove into the water, avoiding the young man's body as LaPlante landed in less than three feet of water. His face pale with fear, LaPlante slowly stood up wondering if he was actually dead or alive. "That was a surreal experience," LaPlante said. As said by Captain Tibbitts, risks like that should not be taken for sheer thrill or entertainment. "That can result in the end of someone's life and people are beginning to realize that after they hear about deaths every other summer." he said. "The problem is, only a limited number of people know about these fatal accidents and sometimes fall victim to the same mistakes." New York State troopers believe the best way to know the water is safe is to call the trooper barracks and ask them, considering their job is to protect and serve. What
do you think should be done to make Split Rock Falls a safer
place? |
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