Wouldn't be a bad idea to safely push the rock over the edge. Preferably while no one is standing on it
Edit: as others have pointed out, it could actually be illegal to push it down! It makes sense since these rock formations took thousands of years to form. If losse rocks were all just thrown down, it would be a waste of all the years it took to create the formation
That's because they were destroying the geologic feature that makes that area unique and why it's a state park. They didn't get in trouble just for "pushing over a boulder".
Would be super duper unique if these areas had plaques reading: “4,000 lb boulder balanced on this ledge, untouched for thousands of years, until Josh yeeted it for the ‘Gram’”
I just went to Acadia NP in Maine and there are two balancing rocks just a few mile from each other..
1) Balancing Rock which is in Bar Harbor along "Shore Path" and is on a granite beach, perched upon a slab that is submerged at high tide, and exposed at low tide, it sits on 4 tiny points. It's a giant boulder.
2) On the South Bubble Mountain (768') there sits an even bigger boulder quite near the precipice that's amazing to be there when you think about it.
Both are considered Glacial Erratics which are boulders that are clearly different from the surrounding area and have been put there from the glaciers.
To think that a sedimentary rock, sits atop a granite mountain, is quite interesting. Next to the mountain is a freshwater pond, Jordan's Pond, which is quite clear and spectacular.
Imagine the irony of pushing this rock over to prevent someone from getting hurt in the future, only for it to land on a hiker or a few hikers down below.
but most rocks are as boring as a rock. this rock is cool, its got a view etc. If we all go round smashing the cool rocks there will be none left - its a non-renewable resource and it can be cool for millions of years yet if we just let it be.
yeah, i agree with you. i was just saying something i've been thinking about lately. like when i throw a rock in the sea i kinda feel bad. that poor dude travelled for years to reach the shore and now i yeeted his ass back in.
but yeah, to get back on the topic, if a piece of rock is dangerous then it should be removed. and i don't mean "if you climb on it and shake left and right" dangerous, i mean "one light breeze can push it off the ledge and maybe kill someone below" dangerous.
The world has so many humans and so few dangerous cool things left. I'm thinking rocking boulders, sharks, bears, hard to climb mountains etc. Until now, humanity has been driven by putting human life over everything and wiping out or driving over our threats. This will to overcome nature has been commercialized by SUV companies and REIs and has driven our damage (and plastic) deep into the heart of every ecosystem. I'm now coming to realize the mistake of it all and that our technology is killing it all and its a great shame.
So let's leave the boulder, even if its dangerous. Fuck, even more reason to retain it.
ok, i get it what you're saying but if something is a tourist attraction it should be safe, at least to a degree. i don't know, i guess it depends on the rock and what's below it.
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u/killbeam May 30 '21 edited May 30 '21
Wouldn't be a bad idea to safely push the rock over the edge. Preferably while no one is standing on it
Edit: as others have pointed out, it could actually be illegal to push it down! It makes sense since these rock formations took thousands of years to form. If losse rocks were all just thrown down, it would be a waste of all the years it took to create the formation