Reader comments
Iconic arch collapses in southern Utah

Dukey | 6:16 p.m. Aug. 8, 2008

Must be a sign of the times, these are the last days.

good | 6:22 p.m. Aug. 8, 2008

glad no one was injured. Are the arches that could likely injure someone if it fell, ever inspected?

John | 6:27 p.m. Aug. 8, 2008

Hello?! Landscape Arch didn't collapse - a chunk of it fell off a few years ago, but it is still there and still spans the whole length and is still incredibile. So what's the real story with Wall Arch - did it really collapse, or is it still there, and only a chunk fell off?

Cheese.

Comments continue below

Lyman DeKoquonut | 7:35 p.m. Aug. 8, 2008

Global Warming, that's the culprit. If us stupid humans would not have invaded this planet and ruined itï¿½s ecosystem - that we obviously don't belong to and are not a NATRUAL part of - the arch would still be standing today so the ants and gophers and eagles could have it to enjoy.

Anonymous | 7:34 p.m. Aug. 8, 2008

Sounds like this reporter wrote the story without first getting the facts straight- I visited Landscape Arch just recently- it looks fragile, they don't allow you to hike underneath it any longer, but rumors of its demise are greatly exxagerated.

Melva McKenzie | 8:07 p.m. Aug. 8, 2008

What about a picture?

Doctor | 8:08 p.m. Aug. 8, 2008

Lyman, you are a laff riot. I think most of us truly consider ourselves a NATRUAL part of Earth, greens and browns alike. Lay off the Bacardi, those brain cells won't regenerate.

ALARMIST | 8:15 p.m. Aug. 8, 2008

It's those darn democrats fault!!!!!RON PAUL FOR PRESIDENT!!!!

Eye Dee Ten Tee | 10:00 p.m. Aug. 8, 2008

Actually, Lyman has a point. Before global warming, polar bears never died and icebergs never melted either.

Ernest T. Bass | 10:17 p.m. Aug. 8, 2008

If the democrats had allowed us to drill for oil near Wall Arch, we could have prevented this tragedy.

RE: Melva McKenzie | 10:34 p.m. Aug. 8, 2008

> What about a picture?

Yes, but if it's on the Devil's Garden trail, then you can't exactly drive up to it and snap a photo. They probably need to take a hike out there with a good camera to get a newspaper-quality photo.

Dr Inquetaluppe | 11:15 p.m. Aug. 8, 2008

Lyman, I hate to disagree, but I will. I'm still thinking it has to do with the coming ice age that was predicted in the early 80s, something like small tremors from advancing glaciers rocking the rocks.

So it's Wall arch? | 11:23 p.m. Aug. 8, 2008

The headline made me automatically think of Delicate Arch.

No, Alarmist! | 11:56 p.m. Aug. 8, 2008

Oh, no, alarmist. It's George Bush's fault. After all, everything else is!

Ripvanryan | 1:07 a.m. Aug. 9, 2008

It's the stupid climbers that think they're getting in touch with nature by scaling Southern Utah's most delicate arches. And they get so in touch with nature that they eventually knock it to the ground.

Scott Pehrson | 4:55 a.m. Aug. 9, 2008

Wow!! I can actually feel brain cells DIE while reading some of these stupid comments. The forces of nature that created those arches didn't stop once they appeared...I live here in southeastern Utah and these things happen with reularity. I know this is a "famous" tourist stop but seriously, what is the big deal? In about 10,000,000 years Lopez arch located along hwy 191 between Moab and Monticello will replace the one that fell. Since I first saw it when I was 11 years old it has grown at least 6 inches.

Deth | 9:04 a.m. Aug. 9, 2008

For being such a nice state to visit (visually). I really hate you utahns with your anti-environmental comments. You don't have to believe in global warming or any other alarming thing to care about taking care of the environment. Most Utahns can't even appreciate their own state(most). Quit talking about democrats, drilling for oil, and mocking those who want to preserve these "Iconic" features of utah, and might just care about the ants gophers and eagles.

Ya'll talk about being created by a divine being, but He created a lot of other things that I think we want to take care of. But MOST of you don't think that way, you just want to be able to drive your diesel truck with black smoke pouring into my face, carrying your four-wheelers, so you can go camping and leave all of your trash all over the place so the next guy can pick it up and carry it out. I hate utahns in this way. (Most utahns anyway).

picture | 9:46 a.m. Aug. 9, 2008

I would like to see a picture, with a date attached to it. Some of the comments I have read here make me think that some of the people are speaking of a small part breaking off years ago.
But when I read the article and hear of a man eating lunch under it yesterday, it sounds like a fairly new occurrance.

Cleetorn | 10:23 a.m. Aug. 9, 2008

The "Landscapre Arch" thing had me going for a moment there. I was there just a few weeks ago. It looks really good for having fallen 17 years ago. It's amazing what those geologists can do with a bottle of glue and a little determination. Apparently, they have WAY more determination than this reporter who seems not to have the foggiest idea what he's talking about. Making up stuff and publishing it as truth is something that I would expect out of National Enquirer, not DN.

Have to agree with Deth | 11:48 a.m. Aug. 9, 2008

Being a Utahn myself and having enjoyed many adventures across Utah it is sad when you reach a beautifully pristine place just to find cans and bottles and other trash left by people that don't care. I think it is sad that many of the most beautiful places in Utah are restricted access but if there weren't so many disrespectful people out there we would be able to enjoy more of it. Nature will destroy itself over time, but it will also create new wonders if we just let her do it.

joe deder | 12:18 p.m. Aug. 9, 2008

hey Deth global warming is just another money making scheme.

Lyman DeKoquonut | 12:54 p.m. Aug. 9, 2008

I am not sure everyone could tell I was being facetious...

To Scott Pehrson and Deth | 1:05 p.m. Aug. 9, 2008

Just remember, most of the comments on here are people being funny and sarcastic. They just want to make a comment and they are trying to be funny.

to Lyman | 2:39 p.m. Aug. 9, 2008

I could tell ;)

An inconvenient truth | 4:12 p.m. Aug. 9, 2008

I wish Al Gore would weigh in on the story as he is the end-all be-all of environmental issues. Unfortunately Al's carbon credits weren't enough to buy a few more years for the arch. It will be missed.

I'm with Deth | 4:16 p.m. Aug. 9, 2008

Here Here

Tooele | 4:54 p.m. Aug. 9, 2008

Maybe a good foot doctor could have prevented the fallen arches!

Ace Ventura | 5:10 p.m. Aug. 9, 2008

To: Deth
Wow! You're sure taking a leap from where I sense most of these posters are coming from. Most Utahns I know (myself included) have a deep sense of reverence and respect for the environment and try to conserve and take care not to pollute carelessly. You're assuming because we don't buy into all the human-caused-global-warming crap that we're anti-environment...not so! But I AM anti "move-over-you-wretched-humans-and-make-room-for-the-animal-kingdom" type mentality. In addition, I am anti politicians who have commandeered the environmental movement as their pet cause to gain notoriety and power, who in the process distort research and statistics to "prove" we are in the midst of some human-caused earth tragedy. This all in spite of the clear evidence that our current warming phase began long before any possible human impact, and is part of a very long cycle of ice ages and subsequent warmings.

BTW, Lyman, I loved your bit, and wish I'd been clever enough to come up with your handle....

Las Vegas Katbacker | 7:08 p.m. Aug. 9, 2008

That arch would have fallen regardless of the number hated Utahns there are that wackos think destroy their world.

I'm curious what Deth really does to help the environment. I have my kids pick up a piece of trash every time we get out of the car to go in to a store. I lean far right and love our natural environment. Too many environmentalists think that they have a higher calling that exempts them from being accountable for using resources like the rest of us.

I hate litterers and vandals, but they are dispersed among both parties. My district is full of Dems, some of which litter and tag and make my community less beautiful.

terri the terrible liar | 9:55 p.m. Aug. 9, 2008

i think that some day in the long future, we will have to rename the park.

Pinko Punko | 10:31 p.m. Aug. 9, 2008

I would appreciate it if the D-News could try to at least be as accurate as Wikipedia, let alone the Tribune. Wall Arch was a wonderful spot. Landscape Arch of course remains with us, unless the D-News is attempting to jinx its existence. I also find it sad that the D-News would run a wire service report for an event that happened Monday in the state of Utah.

darma | 10:48 p.m. Aug. 9, 2008

All I ever hear from enviroMENTALists is a lot of talk and no action. how many of them have you everspotted when there is a terrible forrest fire. you will never see them on the fire line. the worst kind are the tree huggers. they could'nt care less about the forest. look at Algor, he has made millions on this global warming scam. about 15 years ago the same people warned us of the coming of a new Ice Age. go figure...

RE: Deth | 12:19 a.m. Aug. 10, 2008

Did Deth somehow take a poll? How does he/she know that 'most' Utahns are against the environment. Most of the Utahns I know are for it. There is a loud group that doesn't seem to care and who drive the aforementioned big trucks (some spew diesel, most are gas). What a weird generalistic set of comments.

Lost in all these insipid comments is the fact we lost a natural monument. Regardless of how it came to fall (natural causes according to the article), it reminds us all that these things don't last forever, and should be appreciated and protected.

Eric | 1:48 a.m. Aug. 10, 2008

My junior high paper had better journalism than this article. Shame on the Deseret news for running an AP syndicated story for something that happend in their own backyard.

1. Iconic? Very few people have ever heard of or seen wall arch prior to this story. I've seen wall arch and while it was pretty, it certainly wasn't iconic.

2. One of the largest and most visible? Favorite stopping point for photographers. Hardly the largest. It's actually is tucked into a spot where you can't really back up to get a good view. You'd need a wide angle lens.

3. First major arch collapse, period. (Since it became a park.) Landscape arch still looks spectacular.

4. "The ruins of Landscape arch." Mr. Stark, please visit Arches. Lanscape arch is stunning and certainly not yet in ruins.

Did the D-News even read this story before publishing it?

BagEnd | 9:42 a.m. Aug. 10, 2008

AS evidence of our loopiness, deth, that last "deth" posting was from me, and I meant to DIRECT it to you. Sorry for the confusion.

I've been to Arches | 4:06 p.m. Aug. 10, 2008

Hey you Deseret News editors.

Where is a photo?

I've been there and have seen Wall Arch before it fell, but many people haven't. So it would be nice to show them what it looked like, right?

Or am I missing something.

chazunga | 7:05 a.m. Aug. 11, 2008

If a photogenic rock falls in Utah, but it's too far away to get a picture, does it make any sound?

Nancy from Tucson | 12:13 a.m. Aug. 12, 2008

Ludicrous not to include photos, before and after !

Perardua | 2:18 p.m. Aug. 13, 2008

When the grandparents of the grandparents of the grandparentsï¿½ etc. ad infinitum were thinking about the grand children of their grandchildrenï¿½ etc. ad infinitum this glorious planet we live on was doing exactly what it is doing this day ï¿½ continuing on its own course of growth and reformation and all the tree-huggers and environmentalists combined in our tiny little spec of all that time combined never has nor will they ever make the smallest dent in this planetï¿½s fore ordained trek. (Howï¿½s that for a run-on sentence just to make a point?) The truth my friends is the truth and we are all along for the ride. The ONLY thing anyone can do to change the course this wonderful planet has been set upon is how we choose to live our short little lives day after day, year after year until we ourselves return to dust from whence we came. That I was alive to see any part of creation while it stood as our fore fathers have known it to be is marvelous to consider and I am humbled by the consideration of it all.

Utahn Shmootahn | 1:44 p.m. Aug. 20, 2008

Hey, Lyman...love to see a Nilsson fan out there.

I have to respond to Deth... I think you have to go where the heavy concentrations of populations are in order to get at what (most) Utahns are like. Here in SLC we have a large populace of tree huggers that totally believe in keeping things green. We also have had two mayors in a row that are massive contributors to clean air and reducing our carbon footprint. Just check out our SLC website!

And please, don't judge (most) Utahns on a minority (state wide). I can promise you that no majority owns ATV's, litters the wilderness nor drives a diesel truck. [Oh, and don't forget when you are sniffing at the diesels that, unless you are driving a diesel you cannot make use of one of the many BIOdiesel stations in the state.] You can easily check those stats (at least the vehicle ownership) with the DMV. Littering, well just take a look. One piece of litter for even half the populace would be a lot uglier than anything you've seen.

kelly c | 12:22 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008

wheres the picture?

Anonymous | 11:04 p.m. Aug. 27, 2008

yeah where's the picture. and is it the arch arch?

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