Slip Slidin' Away

Missed his chance of a Darwin Award.

Flip Flops? too cool...:)

Slip Slidin' Away by _Hans van de Vorst.

| B L O G |
www.hansvandevorst.com

We've come to the end of this little story. Look carefully at the photographer. He has a camera, a tripod and also a plastic bag, all on his shoulder or in his left hand. Only his right hand is available to grab the rock and the weight of his stuff is a problem.

He lands low on this flip flops both his right hand and right foot slips away...
At that moment I take this shot.

He pushes his body against the rock. He waits for a few seconds, throws his stuff on the rock, climbs and walks away.

The Grand Canyon, Arizona. All rights reserved © Hans van de Vorst.

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Comments

← prev 1 2 3 4 next →

(377 comments)

internat says:

lucky man!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Dean Forbes says:

holy shit! this guy is lucky to be alive! great catch! you need to send this to the tabloids :-)
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Dan65 says:

I've been waiting all day to learn how this story ends. My heart is in my stomach just thinking about it. I think I'm glad you shared it with us, but ask me again in a few days ;-).
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

purpwaltz says:

Whew! Glad to know he landed safe. I saw the prelude to this story yesterday, and it was scary!

A breathtaking sequence. I wonder how you managed to keep your composure to take these shots so well.

1-2-3 Nature
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

potamadam says:

Maybe I could ask him to come and wash my windows. I am living on a first floor and I find it a bit high.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Jeff Clow says:

An unbelievable series of photos....and definitely tabloid worthy.

How he did it with one hand and with flip flops is beyond comprehension.

You did a superb job of capturing this event....!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

oybay © says:

Phewwwww.

Glad I am not seeing rescue workers staring down with their hands on their hips this time.

I was there about 2 months ago. Here is my set:

flickr.com/photos/oybay/sets/7205759413782164 8/
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

.rein. says:

oh my god!! careful... geeez!! he's very lucky! very interesting shot!

Kris Kros Contacts
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Merkur* says:

A really unique and exciting series Hans. Did anyone from the crowd talked to the guy thereafter, or did all stood away from the crazy guy?
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

phototopia [deleted] says:

I guess that's what you call confidence...or insanity.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

sadikoraydemircan says:

I am suspicious ...
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

MightyBoyBrian says:

I had to come back and see if this guy died or not. It would be a neat to see all three pictures in a photo booth style strip.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

tan.cooper says:

Suspicious is right. I doubt that the rock gave such a spectacular view that it was worth it and you obviously got a better picture than he did. Did you put him up to it?
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

tan.cooper says:

Dang that was harsh. Let me add... I love the way you presented it... a "cliffhanger" til the next day. (Same Bat-Time, Same Bat-Channel)
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

phlezk says:

does he not value his life? Or does he believe he is so skilled?
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Fotomom says:

This is a great series.
But that guy's an idiot!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

_Hans van de Vorst says:

The crowd was in shock Merkur and everybody thought he was nuts. Got lot's of requests "to mail the pictures" though :)). Took me about half an hour showing the pictures with my camera. I have the email adress though of an English woman and a Swedish guy who witnessed the event. You'll never know. To jeffclow, Dan, Karen, and Dean and all others: It's very nice to follow your comments the last days. I enjoyed it!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

beyond the pale says:

would make a great triptych
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

smiling_da_vinci says:

pffffffeeeeewwww... I am glad he made it... But I knew he did when you started this series. Or you would never post it. Or would you?
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

photofool says:

omg! what an amazing series that you captured. he's either a world class rock climber who has supreme confidence in his ability or a foolish dude who doesn't value his life that much.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Orlando Henriques says:

If this guy is a paparazzo in flip flops, celebrities beware...
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

mimbrava says:

A triptych would be interesting indeed, though no cliffhanger. This sequence is truly remarkable. Talk about being at the right place at the right time and with the skill to capture that person's flirt with mortality. Faved.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

mrwsierra says:

crazy, baby! Nice capture.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

temyong says:

whoa! glad he made it or else your 300mm lens wouldn't have captured a dead man's body 900 meters below :)
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

David Lev says:

Great. This is a great series. He gave you an exclusive one.

Seen in Kris Kros Contacts.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Leviathor says:

lol.

Best series of 2006.

--
Seen on your photo stream. (?)
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

onelungbreathin says:

thats insane. great story tho!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

ImageInnovation Photography says:

Great images of a truly astonishing event. The guy really was remarkably reckless.

If both his hand and foot slipped when he jumped, I can't quite understand how he was able to press his body against the rock and then manage to pull himself up. The rock drops off very quickly from where his foot is located; it seems to me that unless he got a very strong grip, he'd just go sliding right off down the canyon. Did you get any more pictures of him after he climbed up?
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

_Hans van de Vorst says:

No dotlyc I have to admit that after some time focussing through my lens I simply lost my cool :)
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Mynda says:

All the words have been used to describe this hideous behaviour. The man has a death-wish. One arm to use and his two feet in shoes that are not the kind that give a steady grip/hold.
From the photographers view, was there any difference at all, standing on the right or jumping to the other one, would he be getting better shots by jumping? Is this just pure show off?
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

jimheid says:

A happy ending to a gripping tale! Thanks for the fun suspense and the spectacularly captured moments of time!

Let's admit it—we've all taken risks to get just the right photo. I can't count the number of times I've gotten close to my dog's mouth to capture her yawn.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Katz41 says:

THe photos make me want to see more..LOL
Fantastic and interesting shots...
MAkes me nervous..just looking
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

KaroliK says:

The man is insane. Pure and simple. Great series, but the guy was nuts.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

*Louise** says:

Jeez.... what more can I add ??... :D
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

ue06 says:

Totally nuts! I had also been anxiously awaiting the outcome of this story! Great series, definitely go for the tabloids!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Anna Pagnacco says:

This series has been breathtaking! Great documentary.....Anna
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

roselover says:

a capture of a lifetime, literally...the series is a wonderful, but this guy must be a fool, I hope his shot was worth the danger...

1-2-3 Nature
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Petras Pictures says:

Probably the best series of photos I've seen while surfing flickr. You even caught the attention of my husband. He told me to mark the sight so we could see the last picture. I don't think I've ever felt this much suspense from a picture. And I was pretty sure he was going to make it. (Or this last picture would have been aweful) Great job.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Carlos Matos * says:

... wonderful story!
... I loved it!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

martin werker says:

Great picture.A fave for me. I am very interested in the other pictures and will look at them as soon as possible. Great.

(1-2-3 Nature)
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

jasperroz says:

OMG............................ This is so wild!
Darn it Hans, I wish it wasnt over yet.
Fantastic job you did. I thank you for the best entertainment I have had in awhile.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

usclabdog says:

awwwwwwww and he didnt fall? shucks!!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

rutger spoelstra says:

Great pictures Hans.
And even better that you uploaded only one picture a day, the ultimate cliffhanger!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

True_Bavarian says:

The whole set is a real cliffhanger :-)
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

***Karen says:

Insanity!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Lnr Mck says:

So, I can start breathing again? I think this series is going to turn out alot more successful than whatever shot this guy was going for. lol I can't believe you caught all of this. How blessed are you! Thanks for keeping us all in suspense. It's been an exhilerating ride for sure.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

VJ Spectra says:

I think this guy was trying to earn a darwin award

www.darwinawards.com/

What a complete tosser - great series thanks for sharing.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

ladyloneranger says:

Unbelievable! I am glad he is not my son.....I would have died on the spot! Great capture!

Kris Kros Contacts
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Tjflex2 says:

Wow!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

LucaPicciau says:

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Sherry says:

Amazing!!!
This is by far the best series I've seen!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

LaraJade says:

wow - he actually did this? :|
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

liesl1020 says:

wow....willing dead for photography? my god.
(123 Landscapes)
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Robby Edwards says:

Unbelievable and incredible shot and series!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

mjmourik says:

O woow, without gel nikes !!! Excellent photo serie! ..1..2..3..Fave!!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

janzedrik says:

I'm glad he is still alive! :)
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Caro~in~FL says:

This is beyond crazy!! It's beyond insane!! *Taking a deep breath now*
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

mykl mabalay says:

best series ever!

i wonder how his photos came out? :)
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

eric_beyeler says:

Guys, get a grip! That guy is obviously a climber and knows what he's doing. You'd be amazed at what people climb in flips.
Just for fun.... http://www.flickr.com/photos/markwetters/1944 12057/in/pool-climbing_life/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thewalnut/845807 3/
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Kieran001 says:

This guy is clearly a nincompoop.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

eric_beyeler says:

Oh, wait... let me dig one out of the archives...
here it is: http://www.flickr.com/photos/erbeyeler/218194 718/
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

various visual stuff says:

he missed the darwin award
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

ozczecho says:

Some words that spring to mind..mad, crazy, unbelievable, amazing capture...

I think the next series should be from the dude in this story...I WANNA SEE HIS EXPOSURES...
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

LynchburgVirginia says:

He tempted fate and survived, this time. He has much more self confidence than I do, or something else. well done with this set of photos. My complements.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Cieleke says:

Amazing... amazing how you managed to capture this!
Man... that's amazing!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

u.linder says:

his shoes...he is wearing sandals, right? flip-flops?
this makes him totally insane!!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

rxmd says:

Wasn't he wearing gray trousers in the first picture?

Nice series, though.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

tiwo says:

Dear Hans,

thank you for this series. This was a great show and you reached a tremendous audience within a short time. It was beyond belief on the first picture, thrilling on the second and it came to a happy ending after the third.

This is magnificent entertainement and we all have to thank you for this, I am serious.

Until you can show me some of the crowd looking at this event live in the Grand Canyon, please take my respect for your ability in digital image editing.

I might be wrong, but I cannot believe this...

Timo
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Tmanto says:

Insane... so much so that I read a few times the series of comments on the three photos to be sure that these are not Photoshop creations. I really don't get how this guy could have jumped and captured with one hand a cliff that has no visible grip.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

_Hans van de Vorst says:

Thx Tmanto I can assure you these are NOT PS creations. I do think the guy is nuts, on the other hand it was a short jump and these rocks are quite rough and relatively easy to get a grip on.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Sandi Marie says:

Unbelievable!!! My heart is racing just looking at these photos. I cant imagine how it would have felt to have witnessed it!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

tiwo says:

Hans please excuse me,

Timo
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

_Hans van de Vorst says:

No problem Timo, actually it was quite a compliment :)
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Lumbaa says:

Hans, Brilliant capture..but enough's been said...just brilliant and a once in a lifetime photo-opp for you, cherish it I'd say...
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Amundn says:

Great series of shots, thanks for the thriller :)
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Jeff Clow says:

I've shown this series to my wife - who seldoms gets excited by images - and she concurs that these are some of the most dramatic photos she has ever seen.

I'm not sure how you get a wider audience for this.....but the series sure DESERVES to be seen by a much wider group of people.

BRILLIANT photo work, Hans....!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

eric_beyeler says:

While everyone was getting worked up over him being out there, looks like he was just enjoying the day. Maybe he just wanted to get away from the crowd of tourons.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

val savarese says:

Naaah it was an easy parkour 4 me !!!!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

José Goulão says:

he's nuts!!! what people do for a good photograph! great shots
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Vít Hassan says:

He wearing just sandals...

Another extraordinary capture!!!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

ricmcarthur says:

Amazing series.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Lú_ says:

Good Lord. Hope the shots he got are good enough for that!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

simis says:

Wow what we do for our art ... he has hutspa(sp?) .... Wooooooowwww! that is so crazy ... You know what I love the series ... thanks for sharing!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

OldhaMedia says:

What an asshole.

Great series of shots for you, though!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Linda's Many Muses says:

Ha, Jolene. Ditto.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Madirakshi says:

My gawd...that guy is nucking futs!! But how lucky were you to be there and catch that!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

hd connelly says:

brilliant work Hans!

On the other hand, the photographer you shot is an idiot. I can't imagine how the shot on that rock couldn't been all that much better than the shot from the first.

I'm quite sure you'll find many people interested in these shots - they're incredibly well done, not to mention well presented. You should be making movies with suspense like that!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

isolano. says:

End of the story. That man is completely insane!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Sara Heinrichs (awfulsara) says:

Can I get a holy shit.

I've done some dumb things in the name of photography and general adventuring, but this, this is bleedin nuts.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Rotten Jimmy says:

What if he overexposed everything?
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

*lost says:

Holy snap that guy is crazy! Awsom pic though ;-)
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

emdot says:

jolene -- you have been making me laugh day in and day out lately. you are right.

meanwhile -- what a story!! i just showed it to my co-workers. yikes!!! great photo and fun presentation.

sara -- you are not allowed to pull a stunt like this in my presense.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

otzberg says:

This is the best story told in a long time. Congratulations, not only for capturing the images, but supplying the words...
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

neonlike says:

great god almighty!! he's a fool. you ROCK for capturing it!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

CARLOSWEICK says:

Ufa......Crazzzzzyyyyy man
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Chris Blakeley says:

OK... I will have a coherent response to this series of pictures once my testicles have resumed their customary residence, roughly two feet below where they are at this second.

Jesus lord god all mighty in a handbasket!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

finnigh says:

Geez!
Talk about living on the edge...
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

freebird4 says:

Lucky ####### :))))

Cheers for this series :)

Breathing resumed :)
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

martin.jordan says:

Not a half bad bit of photoshopping there
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Mikira says:

It's to the limit of the reality! You haven't a more big image?
Sorry for my diffidence, but it's not simple to find a similar crazy man into the world! ;)
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

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Slip Slidin' Away

Comments

internat says:

Dean Forbes says:

Dan65 says:

purpwaltz says:

potamadam says:

Jeff Clow says:

oybay © says:

.rein. says:

Merkur* says:

phototopia [deleted] says:

sadikoraydemircan says:

MightyBoyBrian says:

tan.cooper says:

tan.cooper says:

phlezk says:

Fotomom says:

_Hans van de Vorst says:

beyond the pale says:

smiling_da_vinci says:

photofool says:

Orlando Henriques says:

mimbrava says:

mrwsierra says:

temyong says:

David Lev says:

Leviathor says:

onelungbreathin says:

ImageInnovation Photography says:

_Hans van de Vorst says:

Mynda says:

jimheid says:

Katz41 says:

KaroliK says:

*Louise** says:

ue06 says:

Anna Pagnacco says:

roselover says:

Petras Pictures says:

Carlos Matos * says:

martin werker says:

jasperroz says:

usclabdog says:

rutger spoelstra says:

True_Bavarian says:

***Karen says:

Lnr Mck says:

VJ Spectra says:

ladyloneranger says:

Tjflex2 says:

LucaPicciau says:

*Sherry* says:

LaraJade says:

liesl1020 says:

Robby Edwards says:

mjmourik says:

janzedrik says:

Caro~in~FL says:

mykl mabalay says:

eric_beyeler says:

Kieran001 says:

eric_beyeler says:

various visual stuff says:

ozczecho says:

LynchburgVirginia says:

Cieleke says:

u.linder says:

rxmd says:

tiwo says:

Tmanto says:

_Hans van de Vorst says:

Sandi Marie says:

tiwo says:

_Hans van de Vorst says:

Lumbaa says:

Amundn says:

Jeff Clow says:

eric_beyeler says:

val savarese says:

Sherry says: