Yellowstone is just one step past the path to go from one of the most fascinating landscapes on the planet to a potentially lethal environment.
On June 7, 2016, Colin Nathaniel Scott, 23, visited the national park along with his sister Sable.
The two were located in Norris Geyser Basin, one of the most active geothermal areas of Yellowstone, when they decided to abandon the authorized route to observe more closely some thermal springs.
According to the accident report, the two were looking for a source in which they could immerse themselves, a forbidden practice in the park, known as “hot-potting”.
Colin approached a spring and, while controlling the water temperature, he lost his balance and fell.
Since then, the situation became irreversible.
Yellowstone sources are not normal hot water pools. Under a surface that can appear quiet, geothermal systems are hidden that can reach temperatures close to boiling, while some wells also have extremely aggressive chemical conditions.
Her sister watched the fall and ran for help.
When the rangers reached the area, they managed to locate Colin's body in the source, but extremely dangerous conditions prevented him from recovering. The arrival of a thunderstorm forced to stop operations.
When the rangers returned the next day, there were no recoverable remains. According to the Rangers, the extremely hot and acidic water of the source had caused a rapid dissolution of the remains.
Colin's death became one of the most impressive episodes in the geothermal areas of the park.
But focusing only on the macabre aspect risks hiding the most important part of the story.
The soil around the sources of Yellowstone may seem solid when the soil crust in the hydrothermal areas can be fragile and thin, with burning water immediately below.
This is also why walkways and paths do not simply prevent visitors from getting too close to geothermal areas.
They're security devices.
At the time of the accident, it was reported that, since 1870, 22 people had died in the thermal springs and geysers of the park.
Colin was 23.
That day of 2016 proved in the most tragic way because in Yellowstone safety indications cannot be considered a simple limit imposed on the visitor.
In some areas, a seemingly solid crust can hide, immediately below the surface, water at temperatures such as to cause severe or deadly burns.
The beauty of the place can make you forget for a moment that Yellowstone is not an amusement park built around nature.
It's nature.
That is why we must respect its boundaries.