It’s a shame we have to write this kind of reminder, but about once a year it happens.
Highlands, Cashiers, and the surrounding areas are among some of the most beautiful natural landscapes anywhere in America and we are all fortunate to live and work here. But with the brilliance of overlooks, waterfalls, and scenic areas comes the responsibility to view and interact with those places responsibly.
On Friday night a motorist driving up US64 from Franklin noticed what appeared to be a small light across the Cullasaja Gorge on the California Mountain side. The motorist alertly called emergency services and firefighters located a man who had slid down the side of the mountain while trying to take photos.
The area where the man slipped is not a typical viewing area and it is certainly not a safe place to try to get a better angle for a photo. Rescue workers with specialized climbing equipment were able to rescue the photographer on Saturday morning and get him to a hospital via helicopter with non-life threatening injuries.
The photographer was incredibly lucky.
One more slip and he could have plunged to a near-certain death, or without the alert motorist, he could have been trapped on the ledge for many more hours, or even days, since the area he was climbing in is so remote.
While its easy to get awestruck by the natural beauty of Western North Carolina, many of the places people seek to see are also potentially dangerous. Waterfalls are not to be taken lightly, as slick rocks and fast currents can lead to accidents in a matter of milliseconds. Overlooks should be taken in at a safe distance, climbing over fences, guardrails, and other impediments is not worth the risk. And lastly, hiking trails are trails for a reason – getting off them is a bad decision, especially for inexperienced or possibly unprepared hikers.
With the weather warming up, it’s the perfect time to get out and see the sights. But lets all be mindful of the proper safety strategies to make sure a breathtaking photograph doesn’t turn into a life-threatening situation.
Lastly, kudos to all the rescue workers who worked through the night Friday and into Saturday morning.