The Kolob Tragedy - the lost tale of a canyoneering calamity

by Noel de Nevers, Tom Jones (Editor), John McMullen (Illustrator)

The Kolob Tragedy The Lost Tale of a Canyoneering Calamity In July 1993, five teenage boys and three men on an LDS youth group attempted a canyoneering trip in Kolob Creek of Zion National Park. The upstream Kolob Reservoir was releasing a ton per second of water through the canyon. Though this flow surprised them at the canyon's entrance, the leader believed that the park's rangers had assured them that their trip was safe, so they continued. Two of the adult leaders quickly drowned; the remaining man and five boys were trapped in the canyon for five days until the Park Service rescued them. This book tells the story of the group's tragic adventure and explores its damage suit against the National Park Service and the Washington County Water Conservancy District (owner of the reservoir). The reader is invited to consider who was to blame for this was it an "Act of God"; or negligence on the part of the Park Service and the Water District; or poor judgment on the part of the trip's leaders? The case settled out of court for $2.24 million, raising another was the amount of money that changed hands appropriate?

Genres: Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

Published June 17, 2016

Reviews

[Sara]

This isn't a novel or an adventure story or narrative nonfiction. It is an examination of a tragedy that never should have happened, and the legal ramifications of that tragedy.

The facts are presenting clearly, with compelling information and as much detail as is available outside of sealed court documents.

Full disclosure: my dad is one of the named parties in the book.

[Wayne]

Book 11 of 2024: The Kolob Tragedy: The Lost Tale of a Canyoneering Calamity by Noel de Nevers (2016, Canyoneering USA, 128 p.)

In July 1993, five youth and three adults ventured in to Kolob Canyon in Zion (not Zions!) National Park to do some canyoneering. After (likely) misjudging the high flow conditions of the creek, two adults were killed and the remaining party stranded until the National Park Service rescued them.

This is the reconstructed narrative of that harrowing experience and the inevitable lawsuit from the families against the NPS and the Water District.

I found the book an interesting and quick read, having done done canyoneering at Zion and also having some experience with Utah personal injury law.

Recommended.

[Elizabeth]

For me it got a little tedious with the legal cases after the tragedy. In my mind, these people had little knowledge and experience and made a lot of terrible decisions. The book was a mediocre telling of a terrible, stupid event.

[Hope Mullins]

A sad story but you learn why it's so important to be aware and prepare before traveling in nature. Also, there are some things you just can't prepare for.

[Lydia]

Non fiction. A look at a terrible tragedy that happened in Kolob Canyon with a Boy Scout’s troop. It also follows through the court case that followed the death of two of the leaders.

[Rae]

The author discusses the 1993 LDS youth group that attempted to climb down Kolob Creek Canyon into the Narrows in Zion National Park. Two leaders drowned and there was a civil suit against the Park that was settled three years later. An interesting read that addresses some important questions about wilderness and personal responsibility.

[Amy]

A meticulous account of a 1993 canyoneering accident in Zion National Park, and subsequent lawsuit. Explores the question, who is to blame when an outdoor adventure goes wrong?