900 meters down...real or fake?

Skiptown · 01-09-2007

We saw this and the text states that this man is taking a picture and then jumping back onto solid ground out over the rim of the Grand Canyon. We aren't sure if this is real or a photoshopped mind-blower. Whatever the case...WOW!
So...is it a photoshop or is it real?? And if it's real...is this the end-all and be-all of stupidity??
Any comments????
*************************************************
This is a case of "photographer, photographs, photographer." The following photographs were taken by photographer Hans van de Vorst at the Grand Canyon, Arizona. The descriptions are his own. The identity of the photographer IN the photos is unknown.

I was simply stunned seeing this guy standing on this solitary rock IN the Grand Canyon.
The canyon's depth is 900 meters here. The rock on the right is next to the canyon and safe.

Watching this guy on his thong sandals, with a camera and a tripod I asked myself 3 questions:

1. How did he climb that rock?
2. Why not taking that sunset picture on that rock to the right, which is perfectly safe?
3. How will he get back?

This is the point of no return.

After the sun set behind the canyon's horizon he packed his things (having only one hand available)
and prepared himself for the jump. This took about 2 minutes. At that point he had the full attention of the crowd.

After that, he jumped on his thong sandals... The canyon's depth is 900 meters here.

Now you can see that the adjacent rock is higher so he tried to land lower, which is quite steep
and tried to use his one hand to grab the rock.

We've come to the end of this little story. Look carefully at the photographer. He has a camera, a tripod and also a plastic bag, all on his shoulder or in his left hand. Only his right hand is available to grab the rock and the weight of his stuff is a problem.

He lands low on this flip flops both his right hand and right foot slips away... At that moment I take this shot.

He pushes his body against the rock. He waits for a few seconds, throws his stuff on the rock, climbs and walks away.

Seakony · 01-09-2007

I wonder what is in his plastic bag?

Babaloo · 01-09-2007

not fake pictures
but not true description

Here's Snopes' explanation

**Jesus** · 01-09-2007

Looks real to me.
Stupid people are all over the world, that is the only explanation.

Weird people examples: ladies in high heels climbing mountains, guys walking inside tunnels with no sidewalks in the middle of the night, etc.

Addition after checking the Snopes page:

Anyway, wearing thongs is not the safest footwear while hiking or jumping around. So still stupid to do it.

Tommygurl · 01-09-2007

OHMIGD I am afraid of heights...

never never never

Opatije · 01-10-2007

Clearly photoshop - fairly poor though. If you magnify the shots (especially the last one) you'll notice layers.

Opatije

Babaloo · 01-10-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Opatije

Clearly photoshop - fairly poor though. If you magnify the shots (especially the last one) you'll notice layers.

Opatije

read snopes

Skiptown · 01-10-2007

Even with the snopes expaination it just seems crazy to me.If he falls just the few feet , he could still very easily not hit the ledge.

Babaloo · 01-10-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skiptown

Even with the snopes expaination it just seems crazy to me.If he falls just the few feet , he could still very easily not hit the ledge.

yeah
even snopes says that a missed jump could result in broken bones...

...but not a 900 meter splat

himynameisjan · 01-10-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seakony

I wonder what is in his plastic bag?

If it had been me doing that jump it would be

Cause you are supposed to pack all that stuff out with ya

You know, take only pictures, leave only footprints!

itsmysecondtime · 01-10-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babaloo

not fake pictures
but not true description

Here's Snopes' explanation

Wow, impressive indeed. And you are getting really good at this myth busting thing.
Suggestion, could you unveil how GW pulled off the Iraqi invasion scene?

MWC · 01-10-2007

Another good source is a book, Death in the Grand Canyon. It is a fairly exhaustive study of all the different ways people have met their end at Grand Canyon National Park.

Yes, the "show off" adults are one of the major life-loss categories. Especially when it involves crossing the protective rails to get a better view of the precipitous heights.

01-09-2007	#1 (permalink)
Skiptown reposado Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Where the Columbia and Snake Meet Posts: 1,440	900 meters down...real or fake? We saw this and the text states that this man is taking a picture and then jumping back onto solid ground out over the rim of the Grand Canyon. We aren't sure if this is real or a photoshopped mind-blower. Whatever the case...WOW! So...is it a photoshop or is it real?? And if it's real...is this the end-all and be-all of stupidity?? Any comments???? *********************************************** This is a case of "photographer, photographs, photographer." The following photographs were taken by photographer Hans van de Vorst at the Grand Canyon, Arizona. The descriptions are his own. The identity of the photographer IN the photos is unknown. I was simply stunned seeing this guy standing on this solitary rock IN the Grand Canyon. The canyon's depth is 900 meters here. The rock on the right is next to the canyon and safe. Watching this guy on his thong sandals, with a camera and a tripod I asked myself 3 questions: 1. How did he climb that rock? 2. Why not taking that sunset picture on that rock to the right, which is perfectly safe? 3. How will he get back? This is the point of no return. After the sun set behind the canyon's horizon he packed his things (having only one hand available) and prepared himself for the jump. This took about 2 minutes. At that point he had the full attention of the crowd. After that, he jumped on his thong sandals... The canyon's depth is 900 meters** here. Now you can see that the adjacent rock is higher so he tried to land lower, which is quite steep and tried to use his one hand to grab the rock. We've come to the end of this little story. Look carefully at the photographer. He has a camera, a tripod and also a plastic bag, all on his shoulder or in his left hand. Only his right hand is available to grab the rock and the weight of his stuff is a problem. He lands low on this flip flops both his right hand and right foot slips away... At that moment I take this shot. He pushes his body against the rock. He waits for a few seconds, throws his stuff on the rock, climbs and walks away. __________________ Yesterdays history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift. How did you use your gift today?

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01-09-2007	#2 (permalink)
Seakony añejo Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: no longer in Mesquite with nothing to do Posts: 10,147	I wonder what is in his plastic bag?

01-09-2007	#3 (permalink)
Babaloo añejo Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Paamul, Q Roo Mexico Posts: 10,366	not fake pictures but not true description Here's Snopes' explanation

01-09-2007	#4 (permalink)
Jesus Nutty Peep Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Mexico City, Mexico Posts: 4,625	Looks real to me. Stupid people are all over the world, that is the only explanation. Weird people examples: ladies in high heels climbing mountains, guys walking inside tunnels with no sidewalks in the middle of the night, etc. Addition after checking the Snopes page: Anyway, wearing thongs is not the safest footwear while hiking or jumping around. So still stupid to do it.

01-09-2007	#5 (permalink)
Tommygurl crab killer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: I am Canadian!! Posts: 14,195	OHMIGD I am afraid of heights... never never never

01-10-2007	#6 (permalink)
Opatije life=playa Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: baño perfumado... Posts: 635	Clearly photoshop - fairly poor though. If you magnify the shots (especially the last one) you'll notice layers. Opatije

01-10-2007	#8 (permalink)
Skiptown reposado Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Where the Columbia and Snake Meet Posts: 1,440	Even with the snopes expaination it just seems crazy to me.If he falls just the few feet , he could still very easily not hit the ledge.

01-10-2007	#12 (permalink)
MWC añejo Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,841	Another good source is a book, Death in the Grand Canyon. It is a fairly exhaustive study of all the different ways people have met their end at Grand Canyon National Park. Yes, the "show off" adults are one of the major life-loss categories. Especially when it involves crossing the protective rails to get a better view of the precipitous heights.

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