Measure Twice, Cut Once

Thrill seeker dies at towering Corona Arch, made famous by YouTube videos

Southeastern Utah’s Corona Arch, a towering geological feature glorified last year on YouTube as the “World’s largest Rope Swing,” has claimed the life of a 22-year-old thrill seeker. Kyle Lee Stocking died Sunday while trying to swing from the 140-foot-high arch, which has experienced a surge in popularity during the past year because of YouTube videos and sharing of videos on social media.

Standing out is the “World’s Largest Rope Swing,” a video (posted above below) that has garnered more than 17 million views since it was uploaded on Feb. 15, 2012. (A behind-the-scenes video from the same group garnered nearly 1 million views.)

Because of this popularity surge, the Salt Lake Tribune reports, the destination has come to be known as the “Granddaddy of All Cheap Thrills,” and that climbers recently adapted their gear specifically for swinging like a pendulum from the sandstone arch.

Lt. Kim Neil of the Grand County Sheriff’s Office told the Tribune that the length of rope used by Stocking was “miscalculated and when he swung under the arch, he struck the ground … receiving fatal injuries.”

A better day the Corona Arch Rope swing...