Accident at Kaaterskill Falls
Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2010 6:37 pm
Late Saturday afternoon on September 11, 2010, a hiker fell at Kaaterskill Falls. We witnessed the helicopters come into the Kaaterskill Clove from Kaaterskill High Peak. We could then hear the helicopter hover in the basin. The hiker was then transported to Albany Medical Center in Albany New York. The hiker did survive the fall, but his condition is unknown. The area cleared out fairly quickly after the helicopter left. The accident is believed to have occurred somewhere around 4 PM. The helicopter arrived at 4:45 PM. Listed below is a picture of Kaaterskill Falls at the high water mark:
Hikers fall in a number of common areas:
1. Top of the Falls: Falls off the top of the Falls is almost always fatal. In 2004 a girl did fall off the top of the Falls and survive. But, she is the only person who has survived a fall off the top of Kaaterskill Falls. A dog did fall off the top of Kaaterskill Falls in the 1800's and did live. All other falls have been fatal. The upper part of the Kaaterskill Falls is 167' high. The lower section is 64' high.
2. Fall off the top of the trail: When hikers get almost all the way up the trail to the top, the trail splits into two different trails. The logical route is the lower trail. This lower trail is extremely dangerous since it is very close to the ledge. The upper route is safe. But, most people take the lower route. Many falls have happen here.
3. Slip and Fall on the trail up: Some hikers fall on the very steep trail to the top, and tumble down. Falls in this section usually result in injuries and not death.
4. Fall off the lower falls: Some hikers try to cross the water at the top of the lower falls and are swept over the lower Kaaterskill Falls. This can be fatal. The lower falls are 64' high.
What many people do not realize is that they can get to the top of the Falls by driving up there. This is the best and safest way to get to the top of the Falls. The trail could easily be fixed to prevent many of the fatalities. There are people now attempting to get the DEC to allow a change in the trail to the top.
Updates to Follow:
Hikers fall in a number of common areas:
1. Top of the Falls: Falls off the top of the Falls is almost always fatal. In 2004 a girl did fall off the top of the Falls and survive. But, she is the only person who has survived a fall off the top of Kaaterskill Falls. A dog did fall off the top of Kaaterskill Falls in the 1800's and did live. All other falls have been fatal. The upper part of the Kaaterskill Falls is 167' high. The lower section is 64' high.
2. Fall off the top of the trail: When hikers get almost all the way up the trail to the top, the trail splits into two different trails. The logical route is the lower trail. This lower trail is extremely dangerous since it is very close to the ledge. The upper route is safe. But, most people take the lower route. Many falls have happen here.
3. Slip and Fall on the trail up: Some hikers fall on the very steep trail to the top, and tumble down. Falls in this section usually result in injuries and not death.
4. Fall off the lower falls: Some hikers try to cross the water at the top of the lower falls and are swept over the lower Kaaterskill Falls. This can be fatal. The lower falls are 64' high.
What many people do not realize is that they can get to the top of the Falls by driving up there. This is the best and safest way to get to the top of the Falls. The trail could easily be fixed to prevent many of the fatalities. There are people now attempting to get the DEC to allow a change in the trail to the top.
Updates to Follow: