<p>This weekend has just been incredibly sad in terms of gorge deaths.
Two</a> Men Connected to Cornell Die in Gorge in Separate Incidents | The Cornell Daily Sun
I know it's hot out, but it is obvious that the risks are very high this year. Remember that these deaths are in addition to the recent grad who died over graduation weekend, and that there were other people who needed rescuing that weekend as well.
Consider that if there was some other fun summer activity (an amusement park, for example) where there were so many fatal accidents, you would definitely avoid it. This should not be an acceptable level of risk for anyone.
I'm also living in Ithaca this summer, so I know how warm it is, but I implore you to find some other way to cool off.</p>
<p>This just breaks my heart. I hope Cornell is stepping up the police presence and issuing fines rather than warnings…These kids need to stay away from the gorges and go swimming at the lake.</p>
<p>Swimming in the gorges is fine. Students just have to be smart to not go in specific areas of the gorge and to not swim when waterflow is fast.</p>
<p>how is it fine (as a frivolous pastime) when two people have died? it’s not always easy to know ahead of time where dangerous water might be, since flowing water doesn’t necessary look fast to the observer.</p>
<p>A couple of years ago, some frat guy tried to swim in the gorge after partying because it was really hot. Unfortunately, he drowned. During my time at Cornell, at least around 10 people either died or nearly escaped death by being rescued while trying to swim in the gorges. After hearing of these horrid incidents, I kept encouraging anyone to keep the hell out of going into the gorges. I think Cornell should technically make it illegal to swim in the gorges, and put up the “no swimming allowed” signs everywhere around the gorges and fences.</p>
<p>Docdoc…Since this past May there have been three deaths in the gorges due to drowning. It is not safe when you have this number of lives lost. The problem with young people is that they never think it could happen to them. Heck I have heard my own kids say things like “I am a strong swimmer…don’t worry”. I wonder if any of those kids have said the same thing. There are so many beautiful places to swim on and off campus…thats where the swimming needs to take place. </p>
<p>The lives of these kids are gone forever all because of one choice on one day. That is heartbreaking.</p>
<p>Bumping this thread because Cornell finally decided to put some signs in the gorge that actually explain why swimming there is a problem for <em>everyone,</em> even strong, sober swimmers.</p>
<p>Here’s a link: [Cornell</a> Chronicle: New signs spell out regulations for gorge safety](<a href=“Home | Cornell Chronicle”>Home | Cornell Chronicle)</p>
<p>Thank you for sharing that article. I just sent it over to my son. Better to know this before he even gets to Ithaca!</p>
<p>Supposedly the issue is that while the water can look calm on the surface, it can be quite violent below and people don’t see that. However, going in the gorges is a tradition that will be hard to break so I think Cornell should make an effort to find the spots that are safe and designate them as such, rather than a blanket ban. And have someone consistently monitor those designated areas.</p>
<p>There are YouTube videos of people jumping into them during the summer. It looks like fun.</p>
<p>If it were me, I would probably wait until a couple of people were already swimming in that particular spot before I went in.</p>
<p>those signs are clearly well thought-out, and I’m glad to see them. they look like the sort of thing that could actually get people to change their behavior. I spent two summers in Ithaca without once going off a path in the gorges, and I don’t regret it at all.</p>
<p>One of my sons was swimming at the gorge one day when someone went under. My son dove in and managed to grab on, but the currents were so strong he couldn’t keep his grip. Eventually, several other guys jumped in to help, and the four of them brought the guy up, but it was too late.</p>
<p>Please folks, even when lots of people are swimming in the same spot and it looks safe, a current can sweep you under and hold you there at any time. There are safer places to swim – please go there or just stick to sunning yourselves on the rocks – that’s also fun.</p>