Story of the Photo: My Brush With Death

Mom always warned me about the dangers of solo hikes which I take most summers. I usually go to Natural Bridge in Slade, Kentucky (Hocking Hills is also in my rotation). Oddly enough, even after the warnings, I took this photo for fake internet points – right before I nearly slid off the side of the cliff.

It’s tough to keep footing on sandstone which can very easily give way. Which I rapidly discovered as I grabbed at tree branches to stop my fall.

I didn’t lose my gear or my cool, and the tree branch kept all but my legs from flopping over the cliff into the unknown. I scrambled back up, righted myself, brushed myself and my pride off, and carried on for several more miles. I never told mom. And I still go on solo hikes.

Photo found at https://photo.christiansheehy.com/picture.php?/244/category/8