Be Careful Where You Step
Due to the rise of social media and consequently the rise in selfie taking, many people have put themselves in dangerous situations for that perfect photo. So much so that multiple national parks have issued warnings about the risk of selfie-taking in certain areas due to an increase in injury or death, as visitors continuously put their lives just for a good Instagram photo dump. Many of these locations feature heights, extreme temperatures, or otherwise dangerous conditions: all places where walking with your phone is very unwise.
Marcos Paulo Prado on Unsplash
1. Death Valley
Located in the Mojave Desert of Eastern California, Death Valley is considered the hottest place on Earth during the summer months. The United States Weather Bureau has recorded highs of over 130°F(over 50°C), so make sure to keep yourself and your technology as cool as possible if you decide to visit.
2. Mount Everest
Claiming many lives before the invention of cellphones, Mount Everest’s summit is not somewhere you want to stay for too long. Risk factors like exhaustion, low oxygen, and dangerous conditions are not to be taken lightly, and the amount of traffic on the mountain leads to overcrowding and traffic jams.
3. Lake Natron
Located in the Arusha Region of Tanzania, this red lake gets its shocking color from its high alkaline salt content. In fact, the lake has such a high pH level that it's known to calcify any previously living thing that died in the water. We recommend avoiding a lake swim if you visit here.
European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-2 imagery on Wikimedia
4. The Grand Canyon
One of the USA’s most photographed locations, many people have fallen to their deaths trying to capture a photo. News reports state that photography was responsible for at least four deaths between 2014 and 2019, and is considered the most lethal recreational activity at the park.
5. Danakil Desert
Located on the borders between Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti, the Danakil Desert is known to be one of the lowest and hottest places on earth. Due to its heat, remoteness, poisonous fumes, and potential security risks, it’s not recommended that you stop and smell the sand.
Araştırmacı Ekanrın on Wikimedia
6. Oymyakon Village
This Russian village is the coldest permanently inhabited human settlement on Earth. With recorded temperatures of around -80°F (approx. -60°C) or colder, visiting this area of the world requires extreme caution and preparation.
7. Skeleton Coast
The Skeleton Coast is located on the North Atlantic part of Namibia, and is not somewhere you’d like to stay. It’s known for dense ocean fogs, a highly inhospitable climate, and a heavy surf on all its beaches. If you’re going to take a selfie here, beware of the undertow.
8. Kolli Malai
These beautiful hills are named after the Goddess Etukkai Amman, a local Indian deity. A popular tourist spot for hiking, meditation, and photography, these sacred hills claimed the life of a student when the rock he was taking selfies on cracked and gave way.
9. North Sentinel Island
Located in India’s Bay of Bengal, this island is home to an Indigenous group known as the Sentinelese people. The group lives a hunter-gatherer lifestyle, and the Indian government has created a five-kilometer exclusion zone around the island to preserve their way of life. That hasn’t stopped tourists from trying to get a photo of this group, however, which has led to hostility, violence, and death.
10. Madidi National Park
Located on the Amazon River basin in Bolivia, this park is one of the largest protected areas worldwide. Due to its dense jungles, venomous wildlife, dangerous plants, and otherwise harsh conditions, this beautiful park requires tourists to be prepared and stay on high alert.
11. Cliffs of Moher
Located in Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher are home to the country’s most important bird-breeding sites. While generally safe to walk if you stick to the path, over 50 deaths have been recorded between 1993 and 2017, several due to photo taking.
12. Mount Huashan
This mountain is located in the Shaanxi Province of China, and is considered one of the world’s most dangerous hiking trails. The trail has simple plank paths between its peaks, on which you can lose your footing very easily. Just a tip: maybe don’t take a photo on the plank paths.
13. Vanuatu
Located in the South Pacific Ocean, Vanuatu is best known for its volcanoes, coral reefs, and beautiful scenery. It’s considered a happy place to live, but it is a high-risk spot for natural disasters. Between hurricanes and a constantly erupting volcano, it's best to keep on your toes if you decide to visit.
14. Skellig Michael
Located off the coast of Ireland, this rocky island consists of approximately 54 acres of rock, with its highest point sitting at 714 ft (218 m) above sea level. The mountain’s ascent has over 600 ancient steps with no handrails, so the risk of falling is high.
15. The San Fermin Festival
Located in Spain, this festival’s main event is a half-mile run alongside six fighting bulls. This event is dangerous, and many participants and onlookers have been seriously injured or killed due to the nature of the run.
16. Machu Picchu
While not typically dangerous if you’re careful where you step, there has been a recorded death at the mountain summit due to a tourist slipping and falling while trying to get his photo taken. It’s noted that he ignored safety signs to pose for a “leaping” photograph and lost his footing.
Martin St-Amant (S23678) on Wikimedia
17. Trolltunga Rock
Located in Norway, this rock formation sits 3,600 ft (1097 m)above sea level. While beautiful, this 10-hour hike is not for the faint of heart. The terrain is rough, and there are no shelters or shops to stop and rest on the way up, save for two emergency cabins.
18. Horseshoe Bend
Located in Glen Canyon National Park, this popular tourist spot is responsible for multiple accidental deaths. The park has a safety railing on the overlook’s viewing platform, but not along the various trails.
19. Taft Point
This popular lookout spot at Yosemite National Park has taken the lives of at least two people. After setting up a tripod near the cliff’s edge, it’s said that the couple lost their footing and fell. Taft Point has no railings or fencing, and is over 7,500 feet (2286 m) above sea level.
20. Plitvice Lakes
The Plitvice Lakes is the oldest and largest national park in Croatia, and is home to many tufa lakes, caves, and connected waterfalls. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, however, as a few deaths have been recorded at this park, mostly due to hazardous weather, tourist negligence, and wandering off marked trails.
