Close to the Edge - Would You Dare?

[Dan T.]

At Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe is a location is known as "The Devil's Swimming Pool". During the months of September and December when the water flow is lower than normal, people can swim as close as possible to the edge of the 300 foot falls without getting washed over.

Would you?

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p30/DanTompkins/Falls2.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p30/DanTompkins/Falls3.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p30/DanTompkins/Falls4.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p30/DanTompkins/Falls1.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p30/DanTompkins/Falls6.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p30/DanTompkins/Falls5.jpg

[KAOSkins]

Gives me the willies just looking at it.

[ZoEd]

Dude my stomach started churning just looking at the pictures, there's no way in hell.

[Maxito]

If I had a parachute than I would, but there is no way in hell I will do that.

[SUSkinsFan]

put a couple drinks in me there is a good chance I would do it

[CandaceM23]

Am I the only one that noticed the men are wearing nut hugging speedos?

And no. I wouldn't. I'm not that daring or stupid.

[Dan T.]

Am I the only one that noticed the men are wearing nut hugging speedos?

Yes you're the only one. :laugh:

And no. I wouldn't. I'm not that daring or stupid.

Wouldn't what? Wear nut hugging speedos? :silly:

[bschurm]

I have been battling between going to Tanzania or South Africa for my graduation present to myself. Tanzania would entail a Safari, climbing Kilimanjaro and hanging out on the white beaches of Zanzibar. South Africa would entail a safari and going to Victoria Falls.

Thanks for the thread! I This has helped me decide to go to the Falls. I will definitely hang over the edge if I am there at the right time!

[Henry]

Am I the only one that noticed the men are wearing nut hugging speedos?

And no. I wouldn't. I'm not that daring or stupid.

Actually, most of them aren't.

Not that I noticed. :)

[zoony]

Dude my stomach started churning just looking at the pictures, there's no way in hell.


Gives me the willies just looking at it.

what they said. No way in hell.

I have an intense fear of heights.. I get dizzy just looking at the pictures

I still have nachtmares about the grand canyon

[mjah]

Sure, I'd do that. Looks like fun.

[HOF44]

I'd do that in a heartbeat.

[MintHillSkinsFan]

I would do it but no way would I take my young children out there. That's just neglect.

[Henry]

Oh, and for the record. No thanks. I'm not that adventurous or cool.

[Bang]

I'd have to. I have this thing called "lure of the depths".. I've only ever heard it described in an article or two, but it's something I've had all my life.
If I am up high I HAVE to get as close to the edge as I can and look over. I am compelled. I can't help it. I have to go as close to the edge as I can possibly get and look over. It scares the living hell out of me, and I have nearly fallen on more than one occasion. (I used to work construction.. I nearly fell a lot.) The last time it happened I nearly fell from the roof of the Ranstadt building onto Connecticut Ave right downtown. We were turing it into what you see it as now, and I was up there wiring up some air handlers and went over to the edge to do my look, and damn near fell on to a crowd of people walking down the street.

When I was a kid (maybe 13) I went to NYC and went on the roof of the WTC. There was a tour and it took you up to the observation deck. I remember looking over the rail and imagining how to get over to the edge. I determined it was impossible... the roof was dimpled like a golf ball so if you jumped from the deck you'd likely break your ankles, then there was at least three other barriers before you could get to the edge. But I clearly recall tuning out the tour guide and that was pretty much all I thought about when I was up there. (9/11 F-d with me hard. Seeing the people fall is bad. it still Fs with me hard.)

When I was a small kid, like 5, I used to climb a cedar tree that was at least 3 stories tall, I'd get to the absolute tippy top, I'd stand on the highest branch and hold the top like a rope and whip that tree around in circles and ride it like a carnival ride. I only was made to stop because our neighbor on the fourth floor saw the top of my head whipping by just below her window and called my mom.

It messes with me now. At least once a week, often more, I'll have the dream of falling, often just at the edge of sleep. I have gotten two senses of vertigo just writing this.

I'd hate that lace in the photos, but I'd absolutely have to go look.
I try not to go up high anymore.

~Bang

[#98QBKiller]

I don't like heights but I think I'd do it

[wysknz1]

I don't even like looking out of a window of a tall building. NO WAY would I do what they're doing.

[China]

I'd have to. I have this thing called "lure of the depths".. I've only ever heard it described in an article or two, but it's something I've had all my life.
If I am up high I HAVE to get as close to the edge as I can and look over. I am compelled. I can't help it. I have to go as close to the edge as I can possibly get and look over. It scares the living hell out of me, and I have nearly fallen on more than one occasion.

~Bang

You should visit the Cliffs of Mohr.

http://www.scatteredlight.com/Cliffs_of_Mohr_9.JPG

[Dan T.]

Bang, I wonder if the guys in the 1st, 3rd, and 4th picture share your compulsion. . .

[Koolblue13]

Not a chance in hell would I even want to watch somebody even watch somebody do that.

It's not surprising that all the pictures of people on the falls are not very "native" looking.

[Tastes Like Chicken]

When I was about 7, I was playing at a construction site, and decided to climb down a cliff, about 50 feet deep. I lost my footing and clawed at the dirt and snagged some roots. I was able to pull myself up and climb out of there. That's the only reason I'm alive today.

There's no way in hell I'd do that, especially with my kids.

[sacase]

my chest got tight looking at that.

[Mark The Homer]

I'm there. Let's go. :)

[Corcaigh]

I'm up for that. I love going to the edge of mountain cliffs. I loved the viewpoint in the Grand Canyon from Plateau Point.

[BigMike619]

I am on the exact same page as Bang. I went skydiving not too long ago and I was sitting so close to the edge and I wanted to just "go go go" and the guy had to literally yell at me to stop because he was trying to adjust me.

I love being high up in the air and as close to the edge as I can.

[Corcaigh]

You should visit the Cliffs of Mohr.



They are spectacular, but further up the coast the cliffs in Donegal at Slieve Liag are higher - the highest in Europe at close to 2000 feet.

(http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2412534510061585662RJdFhL)

[USS Redskins]

Those people with the kids should be freaking locked up... thats what scares the hell out of me. Grown people acting like idiots is fine but why the hell would you put your kid at risk?

[jthor99]

Wow as someone who is scared of heights there is not enough money in the world that would get me that close to that thing!

[dchogs]

i'd be up for it. no problem.

[Dan T.]

Here's a video clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVN9KnWy-H8

The water looks more rapid here, and the distance to the right where the water is pouring over the edge, with no apparent protective rocky lip, seems real short.

:yikes:

[ECU-ALUM]

I wear glasses so my ability to judge distances really sucks without them...so to put it simply...I'd do it the day after my parents get back together.

[BigMike619]

I wear glasses so my ability to judge distances really sucks without them...so to put it simply...I'd do it the day after my parents get back together.

what if we could tie a rope around your waist that would stop you at least 6 inches from the edge guaranteed?

[Zguy28]

I probably would. If you can lay back horizontally off a 110ft ladder with nothing more than a single lanyard, while its swaying 4 ft in either direction from wind and not even raise your heartbeat, you can do most anything. :D

[ECU-ALUM]

what if we could tie a rope around your waist that would stop you at least 6 inches from the edge guaranteed?


Hey as long as the rope-burns aren't too bad...yeah. Just don't tell my wife she would freak if she caught me doing something like that.

[artmonkforHOF]

sign me up! I dont like heights when I am unsecure. I would not be able to walk up and stand on that edge but swim up to it for sure.

[Om]

Given that kids, old folks and just about everybody else is doing it, my guess is that when you're actually there, can see for yourself the protective rocky lip, and get first-hand sense of just how bad you'd have to screw up to go over the edge, I'd do it just to be able to say I did.

There are daredevils who do all kinds of crazy ****---I definitely ain't one of them---but I don't get a sense that's who the people in the various videos of this particular pool are. Plus I suspect if a few doofi DID get swept over and die a horrible death, the Ministry of Tourism wouldn't just stand by and let grandpa and junior hop on in.

All that said ... the people who ARE in for a big surprise are those at the site the day the protective rocky lip decides it's had enough and gives way.

[Henry]

Given that kids, old folks and just about everybody else is doing it, my guess is that when you're actually there, can see for yourself the protective rocky lip, and get first-hand sense of just how bad you'd have to screw up to go over the edge, I'd do it just to be able to say I did.

There are daredevils who do all kinds of crazy ****---I definitely ain't one of them---but I don't get a sense that's who the people in the various videos of this particular pool are. Plus I suspect if a few doofi DID get swept over and die a horrible death, the Ministry of Tourism wouldn't just stand by and let grandpa and junior hop on in.

All that said ... the people who ARE in for a big surprise are those at the site the day the protective rocky lip decides it's had enough and gives way.

Maybe ... MAYBE you could convince me to stay in the water and sorta swim up and peer over the edge. However, leaning over with my arms outstretched ... standing an inch from the edge to take a picture ... bringing my kids anywhere NEAR that ... that's right out.

[Om]

Maybe ... MAYBE you could convince me to stay in the water and sorta swim up and peer over the edge. However, leaning over with my arms outstretched ... standing an inch from the edge to take a picture ... bringing my kids anywhere NEAR that ... that's right out.
Agreed. The guy standing on the edge is pushing the envelope more than my Common Sense Meter would allow.

As to the kids, my older two (18, 17) I MIGHT let near the edge as long as I'm the water with them. My youngest (13), no way. And all of that's moot if my wife's there, including me getting in personally. She'd be so freaked out just watching other people in the water that I'd not cause her the anguish.

[Dan T.]

From the video, I could imagine some guy right on the precipice, then some overweight lug doing a humongous cannonball into the pool, with the resulting wave washing precipice-guy right over the edge.

[Corcaigh]

There's an IMAX movie - not a great one - called Adrenaline Rush. It includes footage of base jumpers running off a cliff in Norway.

EDIT - here's the obligatory youtube video of someone doing it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Z6aZHcu3cg

[DGreenistheBest]

**** that noise. I have issues looking down from the first step of a step ladder. Maybe if you paid me a cool million...

[CallMeGreen]

I'd probably drown in the "swimming pool", then to add injury to death, would get washed over the edge of the falls. I'd make the highlight reel and wouldn't be able to see it.

[EersSkins05]

My in-laws live about 10 minutes from the New River Gorge Bridge in West Virginia, where every year around 200k people come for Bridge Day, where various idiots throw themselves from the bridge.

One or two of them die about every other year, so if you're into watching idiots plumet to their death, get there early.

http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070926/070926_wVirginia_vmed12p.widec.jpg

[iheartskins]

As long as Mugabe is out as President of Rhodesia, I'm in! :)

[Corcaigh]

Rhodesia:)

When did you last attend a geography class? Before you were born?

[SkinsOrlando]

I would only because my curiosity would make me.

[BigMike619]

I'd probably drown in the "swimming pool", then to add injury to death, would get washed over the edge of the falls. I'd make the highlight reel and wouldn't be able to see it.

I dont know why but that just made me LOL...:laugh:

[iheartskins]

When did you last attend a geography class? Before you were born?
My wife's family is from S.A. and they still refer to it as Rhodesia or "Zim".

FWIW, they're not Afrikaaners.

[Popeman38]

My in-laws live about 10 minutes from the New River Gorge Bridge in West Virginia, where every year around 200k people come for Bridge Day, where various idiots throw themselves from the bridge.

One or two of them die about every other year, so if you're into watching idiots plumet to their death, get there early.3. Total. In the history of Bridge Day (1980-Present). First since 1987 happened in 2006. Not 1 or 2 every other year.

You have a better chance of seeing someone get hit by a car than seeing a death at Bridge Day.

By the way, where do the in-laws live? My family is originally from Ansted.

[JMac]

Dang, these pictures seriously make me squirm just looking at them. I dont care how safe it is there is no way in hell I am bringing my kid out there.

[helptheSKINS]

My legs get weak just looking at the pics. I'm such a panzy!

[EersSkins05]

3. Total. In the history of Bridge Day (1980-Present). First since 1987 happened in 2006. Not 1 or 2 every other year.

You have a better chance of seeing someone get hit by a car than seeing a death at Bridge Day.

By the way, where do the in-laws live? My family is originally from Ansted.

I guess the deaths are just more reported than their numbers would indicate. I was actually in attendence for the 2006 death, so maybe that's why I thought it was more.

In laws live in Oak Hill. I'm from Princeton, originally.

[Reic]

Even though I am extremely affraid of heights, I would make myself do it. I have already done the Empire State Building and Eiffel Tower, I could handle a measly 300 feat.

Now, if it were Angel Falls, I wouldn't do it


http://www.keech.co.uk/images/Venezuela/Angel%20Falls.jpg

[Predicto]

I've done that at Upper Yosemite Falls, which is about a 2400 foot drop. You can get right to the edge when the water level is right.

I almost threw up from the vertigo.

http://content.imagesocket.com/images/yosemitef2c.jpg (http://imagesocket.com/view/yosemitef2c.jpg)

[twa]

I would love to do it,in fact it is in my future plans.

[33]

Those first two pictures are particularly scary.

Also, if you can do this every September and December what makes the water level lower than normal?

[GoSkins561]

I have looked at this thread like 10 times today just to see the pictures. I am scared to death of heights, however I jumped from a 108' cliff in a quarry near Harpers Ferry once. Before I jumped I was absolutely termbling, after I jumped I was in serious pain. Looking back and having vivid memories of the moments before I jumped and what 108' looked like there is no way I would ever want to see 300'. These people are out of their minds.

[Dan T.]

Bump for the late night crowd. . .

[DoGood28]

I'd do it. You can't pass that up. You would remember it your whole life. It looks relatively safe as long as you do not do anything stupid.

And some of the dudes' are wearing speedo's because Europeans love travel all over Africa and Asia. They are lucky that it is so convenient for them because it is quite a trip for Americans. But I'd rather relax in the Caribbean than anywhere in the world.

[GoSkins561]

15th time checking out this thread

[Dan T.]

15th time checking out this thread


There is something oddly compelling about those pictures. . .

[DjTj]

There is something oddly compelling about those pictures. . .I keep checking back to make sure that dude hasn't gone over the edge.

[DGreenistheBest]

See, what if a chunk of rock right there at the edge finally erodes away and crumbles right when you're sitting on it? You'd be ****ED.

[MikeInJc aka M.I.A.]

I'd go for it, why the hell not, but as a lot of people already said on here "I'd never let little kids near it or do it". Those people taking their kid out there are insane.

[Corcaigh]

See, what if a chunk of rock right there at the edge finally erodes away and crumbles right when you're sitting on it? You'd be ****ED.

It's been there for millions of years. It's got to be way safer than getting on a SouthWest flight. :)

[Om]

See, what if a chunk of rock right there at the edge finally erodes away and crumbles right when you're sitting on it? You'd be ****ED.
Had the same thought (posted above). That's what would be in my head.

Not so much that I was IN the damn pool, but that there was very little room for error during that time. Could be anything: an unexpected surge in water level from somewhere upriver, a fissure somewhere under the pool that suddenly chooses to open or close and redirects the water flow in the pool toward the center of the falls "just" enough, a friggin' earthquake ... anything that could effect a quick change to the delicate balance.


It's been there for millions of years.
Yes, but during all but the last eye-blink of that time, it's not been affected by the repeated vibrations caused by splashing, jumping, standing and otherwise cavorting, human beings, nor the cumulative effect of their body oils and other bodily excretions.

Not to mention that the likelihood of it happening have increased in direct proportion to the number of video cameras running there at any given time.

Oh, I'd still do it under the circumstances noted previously. But there would definitely be a spirited dialogue going on between my inner Chuck Yeager and my inner Woody Allen.

[Corcaigh]

Oh, I'd still do it under the circumstances noted previously. But there would definitely be a spirited dialogue going on between my inner Chuck Yeager and my inner Woody Allen.

There's a poem, perhaps by Stevenson but it's 30 years since I read it, which talks about living life to the fullest, and uses the metaphor of "water plunging over a waterfall" rather than a slow, quiet death. This mght be taking a bit literally.:)

[Mark The Homer]

It's like climbing a tower. You know you probably shouldn't, but you just can't help yourself. :)

[Mr. S]

I would do it if I had a rope tied to me which ran right up to the edge. It looks like it's relatively safe if lighter kids can do it. I'd just prefer to be safe and have that rope.

[Special K]

Am I the only one that noticed the men are wearing nut hugging speedos?
Haha, that's because most of the tourists in that region are European...




:laugh: I've been to Victoria Falls, but I was on the Zambian side where they weren't doing this stuff...but now that it seems Zimbabwe may be talking a step in a more controlled-peaceful political direction, I wouldn't mind visiting the Zimbabwe side and doing this :D

This looks crazy and all, but honestly this is one of the LEAST stupid things I've seen people do over there. Probably the worst was watching people on a booze-cruise on the upper Zambezi jump off the boat and swim over to the other booze cruise boat, in water infested with 20+ ft. crocs.

[Cyber Pimp]

Hell yea I would do it. I'll stand right at the edge and yell at the top of my lungs.

"Who built this, me thats who"

[twa]

Got to be safer than driving the freeways ;) ,I have no problem with heights or vertigo though

[ZoEd]

Heights don't bother me if I feel safe. Eifel Tower, did it. Jumped from at cliff that was easily over 50' into a quarry. Repelled down the side of a mountain. Can't wait to sky dive. Thing is, I have to feel safe doing heights. I can't just walk to the edge of a cliff and look down, I'll **** myself. Grand Canyon made me a little uneasy since the railings look like they're a hundred years old and can break at any time.

In basic we had to do a fear of heights test for my job. Climb a 30' ladder that's attached to a pole, you're attached to the ladder by a pipe that runs up the center with a ratchet device connected to a belt around your waist. When you get to the top, you have to let go with both hands, bend over backwards and look at the ground. They make you do all kinds of crazy stuff while up there. No problem, if I fall I know the ratchet will stop me from plummeting to my death. I'm fearless, just not stupid.

[Dan T.]

In basic we had to do a fear of heights test for my job. Climb a 30' ladder that's attached to a pole, you're attached to the ladder by a pipe that runs up the center with a ratchet device connected to a belt around your waist. When you get to the top, you have to let go with both hands, bend over backwards and look at the ground. They make you do all kinds of crazy stuff while up there. No problem, if I fall I know the ratchet will stop me from plummeting to my death. I'm fearless, just not stupid.

What job? Trapeze artist for Ringling Brothers?? :laugh:

[mbqbfan]

:yikes: No thanks, I'll pass. However, I wouldn't mind going back to the Grand Canyon, but no way would I stand anywhere near the edge of the cliff. I've been on observation deck of the Empire State Building. It's nice to see NY skyline.I felt safe knowing the guard/safety rails all around. Sitting in a pool with the edge of devil's fall? I think not.

[ZoEd]

What job? Trapeze artist for Ringling Brothers?? :laugh:

No, back when I came in we still had to drop the bombs by hand. :D

I came in as a Metal Fabrication Specialist and I guess since part of our job could be working on ladders on tall metal structures they had to make sure your ass didn't get up there and freeze up. Electricians, carptentars, communications guys; we all had to take it.

[bschurm]

Heights don't bother me if I feel safe. Eifel Tower, did it. Jumped from at cliff that was easily over 50' into a quarry. Repelled down the side of a mountain. Can't wait to sky dive. Thing is, I have to feel safe doing heights. I can't just walk to the edge of a cliff and look down, I'll **** myself.

I've done many of these as well. I have jumped from bridges, 60-65 ft is the highest. I have jumped from cliffs, not sure how high, but I know it was higher than the bridge. I remember thinking to myself when in the hell am I going to hit the water as I was falling toward the water. There is a skycoaster in South Florida that is set up kinda like a giant swing. They strap you in a vest like apparratus attahed to a rope attached to a crane boom and then pull you up 200ft. You pull the rip cord and swing reaching ~ 70mph.

But without a doubt the most thrilling was jumping out of an airplane. Just standing at the door of the plane preparing to jump was enough, but for 60 seconds we flew from 13,500 ft to 5,000ft in excess of 120mph. Simply amazing!

I remember when I first started roofing about 15 years ago an old-timer told me he wasn't afraid of heights. It wasn't even the fall that scared him, it was the sudden stop. I laughed. Not long after that I overcame my initial fears and my co-workers called me spiderman cause I was able to climb a roof with no fear. It was simple, I had a job to do and I wanted to get paid so I did it.

[Lombardi's_kid_brother]

I remain unconvinced these pics are real.

[China]

I remain unconvinced these pics are real.

Not all pictures on the internet are photoshopped.

Perhaps you would find a video more convincing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVN9KnWy-H8

[CallMeGreen]

I came in as a Metal Fabrication Specialist and I guess since part of our job could be working on ladders on tall metal structures they had to make sure your ass didn't get up there and freeze up. Electricians, carptentars, communications guys; we all had to take it.
I used to know a guy that had to climb up the towers on top of aircraft carriers. He said you're basically about 17-18 stories up, looking down over water. H-e-l-l-o-o-o! No thanks!