“Hot Foot” at Yellowstone National Park

We live in a wild, dangerous, unpredictable world. That is just speaking of nature, never mind the people. People can be dangerous, wild and unpredictable in their own right, but at least they (usually) won’t eat you like an alligator, bite you like a rattlesnake, or boil you alive like a hot spring.

Wait, what? Yes, America has natural water coming out of the ground so hot it will melt your face off. Yellowstone National Park is situated on a super volcano. Yes, a super volcano. That sounds way more menacing than a regular volcano. Truth is, if the volcano under Yellowstone ever erupted, we would all be screwed way more than the boogey man of climate change could ever screw us.

Yellowstone is a natural wonder waiting to blow, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t just ruin people in the meantime. Especially people that like to ignore posted warnings, safety precautions, and common sense. Natural consequences, am I right?

Recently they had to call in a “tow”truck to Yellowstone, but not for the reasons you think. Check this out from Science Alert:

US rangers have found a human foot floating in a hot pool in Yellowstone national park, the park service said Friday, warning visitors to stay away from thermal waters.

The partial foot was inside a shoe in the Abyss Pool, one of the deepest hot springs in the park, whose temperature is around 140 Fahrenheit.

The Abyss Pool has a depth of more than 50 feet and, according to Yellowstone National Park, is one of the deepest hot springs in the park with an average approximate temperature of 140 degrees. https://t.co/FZfRL6Hy8C

— ABC News (@ABC) August 22, 2022

Now that’s a hot bath! You shouldn’t have to warn people to stay away from thermal springs. There’s a reason that water is so hot. Did I mention the volcano? It’s unfortunate that someone likely had to lose their life, or even half of a foot and a shoe, but natural selection is a thing. Those are the same folks you have to put “don’t drink” on bottles of poison for.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention I’m impressed the shoe survived. That’s a hell of a product Timberland makes!

“Evidence from the investigation thus far suggests that an incident involving one individual likely occurred on the morning of July 31, 2022, at Abyss Pool.

“Currently, the park believes there was no foul play.”

That is some crack detective work by the rangers to rule out foul play based on half a foot in a shoe! Maybe we should get these fellas on the OJ case or maybe pull up some cold case files and let them take a crack.

Last year two people had to be treated after being scalded by waters in the park.

“Visitors are reminded to stay on boardwalks and trails in thermal areas and exercise extreme caution around thermal features,” the park service said.

“The ground in hydrothermal areas is fragile and thin, and there is scalding water just below the surface.”

So dangerous! You have buffalos, snakes, scalding hot water, bears looking for picnic baskets, and probably a moose or two (I don’t know, just guessing); I think If I ever go there, I’m probably just staying in the hotel.

Sounds like the only thing more dangerous than the springs in Yellowstone is the “train station”. I don’t want to visit either, might lose more than just a foot!