Amazing grand canyon pictures 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 but 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 wall 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 take that sunset picture on the 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 in his thong sandals…....
The canyon's depth is 900 meters here.
Now you can see that the adjacent rock is higher so he had to land lower, which is quite steep and tried to use his one hand to grab the rock.
We have 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 in his sandals where both his right hand and right foot slip away...
At that moment I (Vorst) take this shot.
He then pushes his body against the rock. He waits for a few seconds, throws his stuff on the rock, climbs, and walks away.
I have a friend who goes out alone to take photos and it worries me. He does carry his cell phone incase there is real trouble but mostly he just bums around, only worried about the shot. Last winter, he was taking photos of a frozen tree in backwoods and managed to step into a hole that he didn’t see because of the snow. It trapped both his feet about up to his waist. After a period of time struggling to get free, he managed to grab a near by tree branch and pull his self out. When he told me the story, I was horrified but he took the attitude of it being just another photo adventure. By the way, the shot of the tree is beautiful.
So how about you? Ever made a silly choice for a good shot?
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Comments: 111
I've never went to such extremes. I have been known to just stop on the road, get a shot and go again. Granted I don't live in a huge area. Always check if someone is behind me but that's about as silly and as risky as I am.
That guy is insane!!!!! Watching him jump (in the photos at least) it looks like there is no way he'll get a foothold. What insanity!! I climbed a roof once with my husband and I sat in a tree stand that was 45 feet up, just to say my fear wasn't going to best me, but I locked up and shook like a leaf. I would never never never never be able to even look over the cliff from 10 back. He is certainly brave.
I've been planning on going out more to get pictures but I won't be a grand canyon jumper, far from it!
Of course, I won't get the shots he did either!
"He does carry his cell phone in case there is real trouble."
Like what?
"Hi, Nan, I'm calling you from 900 feet. No make that 350 feet, no make that ..."
Great article. Thanks Nan!
~~Becka
But....no...I wouldn't take that shot. However, the guy has a passion and perhaps it is worth the risk to him. I'm wondering if what he did was illegal. Aren't there laws and rules about standing on top of possibly unstable rock formations? He could have damaged the formation, not only himself.
It would have been one thing if he had safety gear, and the
proper climbing type of shoes.
It's a great picture...
http://www.snopes.com/photos/natural/canyonleap.asp
:)
The photos in this article circulated the internet last year.
The Grand Canyon is such a treasure. Thanks for this pictorial - it is fascinating.
hes got Kahonees
I love phototgraphy, but it is not worth dieing for.
i've always loved these pictures, because they look so death defying and awesome, while they were relatively safe (he still was wearing sandles, and jumping from one side to the other- there's a risk of injury!).
Bravo!!! Bravo!!!
Heather R.
Blessings
Blessings
I would bet that these pictures are much better than than the ones he took!
I guess He's right with Jesus and his will is already in order!!
.
Second- Oh heck no! no no no with a capital NO.
Luckily I've had a testosteronectomy soon after I get married and my Darling Beloved told me what she would do to me if I was silly enough to get myself killed. So now my photographs are far safer and more mellow...
Its not for me, not now or ever, but apparently he likes taking photos on the edge.