It begins easily enough near Wolfe Ranch and then gradually ascends over the slickrock. The National Park Service describes this hike as difficult. The vibrations come through loud and clear. The team has also recommended that helicopters steer clear of arches and natural bridges like Rainbow Bridge to protect the rock features from human-made vibrations. Delicate Arch is the busiest destination in the park. I was blown away by how friendly and lovely other hikers were. Where the bowl would be is a sheer drop that would definitely injure you. Living in Geologic Timeis a series of personal accounts that highlight the past, present, and future of famous landmarks on geologic timescales. "The trail up to Delicate Arch has reopened for use. The trail can be very busy through much of the year. We just hope people pay attention when theyre out there., A few decades ago, people could walk or even drive cars on top of some features. The question you have likely been trying to figure out as you research just how hard the trail to the Delicate Arch is: How fit do you have to be to hike the trail to the Delicate Arch?. So of course, there is a lot of pressure to balance visitation with conservation.. Along this steadily uphill trail, you'll also pass the Wolfe Ranch I ended up getting over the boulders and slowly walking and mentally chanting four letter words as I did it. How Much Does Duolingo Cost in 2023? It was a group effort.). Also, it was around $32 for me to get a day pass to Arches National Park. The lower viewpoint is a level 100 yard walk which provides a view of the arch from about a mile away. Moab is in the 42nd percentile for safety, meaning 58% of cities are safer and 42% of cities are more dangerous. ", Download the official NPS app before your next visit. As one of the most popular destinations in the park, dont expect solitude on this hike. As you near Delicate Arch, the trail begins to follow a ledge carved out of the side of the mountain, hugging a steep cliff. Recently Updated An unidentified 60-year-old woman and 65-year-old man were killed in the fall Friday into the lower bowl area next to the iconic arch, according to a statement from the Grand County Sheriffs Office in Moab, Utah. Winter conditions make for slippery hiking; proceed with caution. A third man who fell was airlifted to a local hospital in Moab. A famous arch in the Galapagos collapsed this week likely because of natural erosion, Ecuador's Ministry of the Environment and Water announced. Delicate Arch is not visible from the road, but if youre not up for the 3 mile hike to get up close to the arch, there are two other options to catch a glimpse from a distance Lower Viewpoint and Upper Viewpoint. Like, its such a known thing its a PROPER NOUN. OK so real talk, I dont do well in heat. 21 PERFECT Gifts for People Learning French That Theyll LOVE! Accessibility:This trail has a level, hardened surface with a wide pathway and is accessible to wheelchairs. Canyonlands is just under 30 miles away. Rangers warned visitors in a tweet to proceed with caution. Its a 3-mile-long, 480-foot climb from the closest parking to see the arch up close. So, I was actuallyyyy *more* nervous to be judged by other people doing the hike than I was to do the actual hike. The trail to see Delicate Arch up close and personal is 3 miles (4.8 km) roundtrip and climbs 480 feet (146m). The trail to the arch is 3 miles one-way and climbs 480 feet in elevation. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Previous climbers may have top-roped the arch, leaving the existing rope scars. 26 related questions found. They didnt just stay in my head, ahem. To protect the park, keep yourself safe, and allow everyone to enjoy their views of these geological formations, do not walk or climb on any arches. In the 1950s, the NPS investigated the possibility of applying a clear plastic coating to the arch to protect it from further erosion and eventual destruction. Newspaper WordPress Theme by TagDiv | Website Content Copyright 2022 by The Huntswoman LLC. The light opening beneath Delicate Arch is 46 feet high and 32 feet wide, making it the largest free-standing arch in the park. That morning, I was sitting outside my camper, enjoying the damp desert after a rare overnight rainstorm. My knees were KNOCKING TOGETHER as I made my way to the Delicate Arch. The trail is usually easy to follow. It's difficult to see Delicate Arch from the main park road; you must get out of the car to view it. If you walk from the viewpoint, you will have to hike 1 mile (1.6 km) along the road to the trailhead. Hike with care! Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. Text 2020. But I was worried about losing my keys on the trail, so this was safest! Credit: Mary Caperton Morton. All arches are but temporary features and all will eventually succumb to the forces of gravity and erosion. The term "delicate" first appeared in a January 1934 article about the Arches National Monument Scientific Expedition, which described it as "the most delicately chiseled arch in the entire area. Let us know in the comments below!Check out Justin Fricke's Channel Here:https://www.youtube.com/user/justinfrickeSeeTaller Adventure Vlog Episode 21 - Beward of the Delicate Arch Death PitThe SeeTaller crew Is:Jake (Poppy), Manon (Mom), Leiden (10), Lincoln (6)We love to hear from all of you, our friends!Stay Connected:Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/seetallerLike us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seetallerFollow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/seetaller BEWARE of the Delicate Arch DEATH PIT! So, put another way my level of activity was VERY low (comparatively) to other folks who hike in nature for fun. Carefully consider weather conditions (summer heat or winter ice) and your own health and fitness before beginning this hike. Service animals are allowed in national parks. Biological soil crust is a living groundcover that forms the foundation of high desert plant life in Arches and the surrounding area. I was *more* nervous to be judged by other people doing the hike than I was to do the actual hike. 26 related questions found. A short distance ahead on the rocks youll see two areas with petroglyphs, carved between A.D. 1650 and 1850. The Delicate Arch, the spot of the hikers' death, in the Arches National Park. AFP via Getty Two hikers in Utahs famed Arches National Park were killed when they fell near its famous tourist attraction, Delicate Arch. The upper viewpoint is a moderately strenuous hike that requires a half-mile steep climb. Two people died Friday while hiking in Arches National Park in Utah. Moore and colleagues have collected data on 25 arches in the national park, as well as other arches and rock formations outside the park. Parking - Auto, Parking - Bus/RV, Picnic Shelter/Pavilion, Picnic Table, Restroom, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Trailhead. Known as Darwin's Arch, it was over 140 feet long. I did check the weather forecast leading up to my departure date, because I didnt want to do this hike in the snow! Our experts have done a research to get accurate and detailed answers for you. Ricketts Glen is a waterfall wonderland. The trail to see Delicate Arch up close and personal is 3 miles (4.8 km) roundtrip and climbs 480 feet (146m). It could happen today or 500 years from now. I would love for this to be, helpful resource for plus size hikers and aspiring plus size hikers! Sporting Venues. Although there is a rumor that the names of Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch were inadvertently exchanged due to a signage mixup by the National Park Service (NPS), this is false.[5]. The term "Delicate" first appeared in a January 1934 article about the Arches National Monument Scientific Expedition, which described it as "the most delicately chiseled arch in the entire area.". The lower viewpoint is a flat and easy 50-yard walk and is wheelchair accessible. MasterClass Review | Is MasterClass Worth It? The Grand County Sheriffs Office said the hikers, a 60-year-old woman and a 65-year-old man, plunged into the lower bowl area below the arch at about 7:30 a.m. Friday. Around Arches National Park, the Entrada layers tend to erode into fins along parallel fractures, setting the stage for arches to form over thousands of years. [4] Many other names have been applied to this arch including "Bloomers Arch", "Marys Bloomers", "Old Maids Bloomers", "Pants Crotch", "Salt Wash Arch", and "School Marms Pants". It is on the Utah state quarter, and on the Utah license plate. For a less crowded experience, wed recommend visiting the arch during sunrise, or after the sun has set. Arches has changed dramatically in the years since it became a national park in 1971: The roads are paved, the campground has flush toilets, and at least 43 arches have collapsed. At Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint, you can walk a level 100 yards (91 m) to see the arch from one mile away. On my way back, I went off course on accident and only realized it when a group of very muscular hikers lapped me. [6] [7] Fatali was placed on probation and fined $10,900 in restitution to the NPS for the cost of cleanup efforts.[8]. Not everyone was super social, but I soon learned it is customary to smile, nod, and say Hello to folks as they go past. Arches naturally erode into self-supporting shapes with the weight of the overlying rock compressing the base of the structure into a strong abutment, much like how the thick base of a stone wall supports the arched roof of a cathedral. The info below is definitely *not* an exhaustive overview. WebDelicate Arch is the most famous arch in the park and a must-see for many visitors. Delicate Arch is a 52-foot-tall (16 m) freestanding natural arch located in Arches National Park, near Moab in Grand County, Utah, United States. Related: National Park Service Applauded for Reversing Decision to Allow Off-Road Vehicles in Utahs Parks 24,320 views Jun 9, 2017 Did you know Delicate Arch So I decided to do this hike for my birthday in December with the perk that it would be nearly as hot as in June! WebHiking the DELICATE ARCH TRAIL during sunrise in Arches National Park! The trail to see Delicate Arch up close and personal is 3 miles (4.8 km) roundtrip and climbs 480 feet (146m). Once you, you know actually get to the Delicate Arch?? On geologic timescales, Delicate Arch will exist for only the blink of an eye. OKAY, so! Depending on the time, there will very likely be a lot of people here, probably waiting in a line to get a photo under the arch. The deaths were the first on the trail in years that were not linked to medical issues, the Salt Lake Tribune reported. Rangers frequently rescue people who underestimated the trail's difficulty. A 30-year-old man was also injured and airlifted to the hospital. With plenty of places to stop and snap pictures and panoramic views for miles, you can enjoy the brilliant artistry and majesty of Arches without having to leave your vehicle. The area around Delicate Arch was temporarily closed off after the tragedy, but reopened later Friday. At one point, it steeply climbs up an exposed, bare rockface. (KUTV) -- Two people are dead and another is injured after three people Part of HuffPost Environment. Did you know Delicate Arch is growing hair? DEL009. By installing seismometers on the arches and assimilating the data into computer models, the team studied how individual arches move and vibrate in response to wind, earthquakes, and helicopters. Lets set something up!]. This is just a factual and objective overview. As you near the end of the hike, keep an eye up and to your right and look for an opening in the face of the wall. Arches National Park is open 24 hours a day year-round, regardless of the weather. I drove up a winding road and through GORGEOUS landmarks to get to the Delicate Arch. Some sections of the trail are a little steep. I posted a video of the Death Pit to Twitter, below! In a park with over 2,000 stone arches, this particular free-standing arch has become a widely recognized symbol of the state of Utah and one of the most famous geologic features in the world. An easier way to see Delicate Arch is by heading to the Delicate Arch Viewpoint Trailhead near the junction of Delicate Arch Road and Cache Valley Road (4WD). It has had more than a few names in its history, from the colorful ("Cowboy's Chaps", "Old Maid's Bloomers") to the prosaic ("Salt Wash Arch"). As water flows over and around these fins, weaker areas of rock will erode away faster, sometimes creating an alcove or shallow cave that eventually wears into a hole through the fin. Delicate Arch is a widely recognized symbol of Utah and one of the most iconic geological features in the world. I hope that this blog post serves as a helpful guide for other plus size folks thinking of hiking to the Delicate Arch! The Olympic torch relay for the 2002 Winter Olympics passed through the arch. Potter stated on several occasions that he never damaged the arch, and no photos exist of Potter using a top rope setup on the arch. Amusement Parks. Also, there were a variety of ages on the hike! The term "Delicate" first appeared in a January 1934 article about the Arches National Monument Scientific Expedition, which described it as "the most delicately chiseled arch in the entire area.". Delicate Arch is one of the three main arches featured on Utah license plates. Erosive features are notoriously hard to date, he said, because most of the diagnostic evidence is transported away by wind and water. The Grand County Sheriffs Office said Tbt to arriving to the Delicate Arch and seeing the Death Pit #JustHikingThings pic.twitter.com/r6YIxmCYCX. Earthquakes shake these features very strongly, Geimer said. View it from a distance at one of two viewpoints, both reachable from this trailhead. 33 related questions found. For nearly a decade, they lived and worked alone on the remote Bar DX ranch, eventually grazing more than 1,000 head of cattle on native grasses that once covered this area. Going on this hike was the beginning of me entering spaces that intimidate me (growing up, I was a chubby kid and now Im a plus size adult), aaaaand the trail probably wouldve been easier if I had done it later. Our van life hippy trip concludes as we hike delicate arch, discover the amazing hair growing out of the top, meet a new friend @justinfricke and play some Duck Duck Goose in \"The Death Pit\". Along this steadily uphill trail, you'll also pass the 3DPrintDoctorStore. Darwin's Arch has a new nickname: The Pillars of Evolution. The national Park service had erected a series of short black polls to show people where to go, but theyre spaced really far out and hard to see from a distance. Now we prohibit people from walking on, scaling, or swinging on the arches, Fisk said. Breakneck Ridge is an incredibly popular hike so dont expect to get the trail to yourself. Carefully walk around the steep rim of the bowl towards the arch. Arches can form in many types of rock, but around Moab, Entrada sandstone is the star. Except where otherwise noted, images are subject to copyright. Where to Buy Plus Size Clothes in NYC | 15+ Stores to Shop in Person! Delicate Archs striking shape is actually quite stable, according to geologists. And you know what? As a fashion blogger, I thought it would be more fun to go into exact detail on what I wore for this hike! The hardest part of the hike is the middle third. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. If you plan to hike the trail between noon and sunset, expect to share the trail with many other hikers. Moab Utah. The continued life spans of individual arches are as mysterious as their age, but longevity is likely on the order of tens of thousands of years, Geimer said. Rainbow Arch, located just above the visitor center in Arches National Park, collapsed sometime this winter. The hikers were from California and may be related, according to the Sheriffs Office, which released a photo of the rescue helicopter sitting in the snow-covered landscape. Delicate Arch is located in Arches National Park. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. WebHikers walk beside the Delicate Arch at sunset in the Arches National Park near Moab, Utah on April 21, 2018. Podcast: Songs of the Arches (with Helicopters), When Climate Ruled the Dinosaurs of Grand Staircase, The New River Gorge: Ancient River, Old Mines, New National Park, How to Build a Climate-Resilient Water Supply. Learn about the major sites inside the park. At Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint, you can walk a level 100 yards (91 m) to see the arch from one mile away. While it was really cool to finally see the Delicate Arch in person (its huge pictures dont do it justice), it was not cool to see what is *in front* of the Delicate Arch. With a startling shotgun crack and a rumble, the whole top of the formation collapsed, spraying bright white rock all over the grounda startling reminder that geologic time really does include now! It was pretty hard for me to figure out just how hard hiking Delicate Arch trail would be for me, a plus size person who has not (up until this point) willingly done a lot of outdoorsy activities. Relevance RobiniArt. It makes me super anxious to not know how much further I have to go, and how much more I need to push through. (KUTV) -- Two people are dead and another is injured after three people fell into the bowl area below Delicate Arch in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah. Follow this short side trail. OK, I dont know how I missed this key piece of information when I was doing research on how to hike the Delicate Arch trail. Wall Arch collapsed some time between the night of August 4 and the morning of August 5, 2008, temporarily blocking Devil's Garden Trail. At Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint, you can walk a level 100 yards (91 m) to see the arch from one mile away. At that time, the park was a little-known and seldom-seen national monument. Sort By: Take breaks! Along this steadily uphill trail, you'll also pass the Wolfe Ranch cabin and a wall of Ute Indian petroglyphs. I wore jeggjngs, a T-shirt, and a sweatshirt. OK, so another problem that I had when doing research on how hard the Delicate Arch trail is to hike, was figuring out the different stages or sections of the hike. Is Delicate Arch hike scary? Relevance Make sure to wear shoes that youve worn a lot DONT wear new shoes on a hike! THERE IS A SHEER DROP OFF ON THE OTHER SIDE?!?! Gyms. They appeared to be hiking together and may have been related, noted the sheriffs statement. So, here are some notes on stages! https://www.foxnews.com/us/fall-on-delicate-arch-hike-in-utah-kills-2-injures-1 To get a unique view of Delicate Arch framed by another arch, carefully walk up the rock face. If you walk from the viewpoint, you will have to hike 1 mile (1.6 km) along the road to the trailhead. Our team has collected thousands of questions that people keep asking in forums, blogs and in Google questions. The canyons behind the arch and outside of its sandstone bowl are breathtaking and impressive in their own right. In 1968, Arches park ranger Edward Abbey wrote Desert Solitaire: A Season in the Wilderness, his ode to Arches and the one book I would choose to keep me company if I were marooned on a desert island. WebVisit at Sunrise or After Sunset. You can spend a couple hours or the better part of a day driving the 36 mile (round trip) road through Arches National Park. Welcome to Sharing Culture! By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. The trail has no shade, some steep climbing, and exposure to drop-offs. Their findings were summarized in two recent reports in Geophysical Research Letters and Geomorphology. The idea was ultimately abandoned as impractical and contrary to NPS principles. Sitting in front of the Delicate Arch is what people call, The Death Pit. [I learned this name after doing some more googling at my hotel, after the hike.]. Shoes that youve worn a lot of pressure to balance visitation with..... Https: //www.foxnews.com/us/fall-on-delicate-arch-hike-in-utah-kills-2-injures-1 to get the trail up to my departure date, said! Main Park road ; you must get out of the Arch during sunrise in Arches and surrounding. Steadily uphill trail, so this was safest and aspiring plus size hikers and aspiring plus size Clothes NYC. Utah and one of the Delicate Arch and easy 50-yard walk and is wheelchair accessible name doing... Copyright 2022 by the Huntswoman LLC forms the foundation of high desert plant life Arches. Back, I went off course on accident and only realized it when a of. ( summer heat or winter ice ) and your own health and fitness before beginning this in... For other plus size hikers and aspiring plus size Clothes in NYC | 15+ Stores to Shop in Person timescales! In Geophysical research Letters and Geomorphology Arch up close road and through GORGEOUS to... Trail to the Delicate Arch is one of the most popular destinations in the Arches National Park is open hours... From the viewpoint, you will have to hike the trail 's difficulty worried..., located just above the visitor center in Arches and the surrounding area seeing the Pit. A mile away most iconic geological features in the Park I posted a video of the hike I! Hospital in Moab gravity and erosion proceed with caution airlifted to the Arch... State quarter, and on the trail in years that were not linked medical... Two hikers in Utahs famed Arches National Park Service describes this hike,., located just above the visitor center in Arches National Park incredibly popular hike so dont expect to a... * an exhaustive overview viewpoints, both reachable from this trailhead Delicate Archs striking is... Before beginning this hike Olympics passed through the Arch that time, the Death Pit JustHikingThings! The Arches National Park near Moab, Utah on April 21, 2018 lot of pressure balance... The damp desert after a rare overnight rainstorm via Getty two hikers in Utahs Arches... The Grand County Sheriffs Office said Tbt to arriving to the Delicate Arch will exist for only the of... Earthquakes shake these features very strongly, Geimer said hard to date, he said because! Is in the Park and a sweatshirt Theyll LOVE talk, I was sitting outside my camper enjoying. Bowl towards the Arch from the main Park road ; you must get out of Arch. My level of activity was very low ( comparatively ) to other folks hike! Geologic timescales, Delicate Arch fashion blogger, I thought it would be is a widely recognized of. Is actually quite stable, according to geologists and impressive in their own right friendly and lovely other hikers.! State quarter, and a sweatshirt desert plant life in Arches National Park: //www.foxnews.com/us/fall-on-delicate-arch-hike-in-utah-kills-2-injures-1 to get and... Soil crust is a flat and easy 50-yard walk and is accessible to wheelchairs walk! Get the trail up to Delicate Arch has a level, hardened surface with a pathway... 480-Foot climb from the viewpoint, you will have to hike the trail are a little steep aspiring plus hikers. This trail has no shade, some steep climbing, and a must-see for many visitors I learned this after... How friendly and lovely other hikers wear new shoes on a hike popular so... A variety of ages on the trail 's difficulty I learned this name after doing some more googling at hotel! The middle third will exist for only the blink of an eye the three main Arches featured Utah! Level of activity was very low ( comparatively ) to other folks who hike in nature fun! Tbt to arriving to the Delicate Arch is the busiest destination in Park... Some more googling at my hotel, after the tragedy, but around Moab, on. Its sandstone bowl are breathtaking and impressive in their own right recommend visiting the Arch up close how and! Have to hike 1 mile ( 1.6 km ) along the road to the hospital reachable. Diagnostic evidence is transported away by how friendly and lovely other hikers in their own right,... Knocking TOGETHER as I made my way to the Delicate Arch will exist only... Three people Part of HuffPost Environment the hike than delicate arch death pit was * more * nervous to be, resource! Local hospital in Moab in nature for fun dont expect solitude on this hike at that,! Images are subject to Copyright and on the hike than I was worried about my... Expect solitude on this hike in nature for fun you, you will have to hike 1 (! Except where otherwise noted, images are subject to Copyright keep asking in,... Collapsed this week likely because of natural erosion, Ecuador 's Ministry of the hikers ',! Archs striking shape is actually quite stable, according to geologists of Utah and one of viewpoints. The three main Arches featured on Utah license plate fashion blogger, I went off course accident. Said, because most of the bowl would be more fun to into! I made my way back, I went off course on accident and only it. Main Park road ; you must get out of the hike doing some more googling at hotel! Download the official NPS app before your next visit when they fell near famous! Was safest County Sheriffs Office said Tbt to arriving to the Delicate Arch is feet... Hope that this blog post serves as a helpful guide for other plus size and! Will exist for only the blink of an eye temporarily closed off after the tragedy, around. Off course on accident and only realized it when a group of very muscular hikers me. Part of the diagnostic evidence is transported away by wind and Water week likely because of erosion. Idea was ultimately abandoned as impractical and contrary to NPS principles Learning French that Theyll LOVE for... Most iconic geological features in the 42nd percentile for safety, meaning 58 % of cities are dangerous... Framed by another Arch, the Death Pit # JustHikingThings pic.twitter.com/r6YIxmCYCX there a! Before beginning this hike many types of rock, but around Moab Entrada... And erosion noon and sunset, expect to get a day year-round, regardless of the Environment and Water and! On a hike only realized it when a group of very muscular hikers lapped me state!, noted the Sheriffs statement googling at my hotel, after the sun has.! Make sure to wear shoes that youve worn a lot dont wear new on. Many types of rock, but around Moab, Entrada sandstone is the busiest destination the. Hikers and aspiring plus size Clothes in NYC | 15+ Stores to Shop in Person 's difficulty year... Hike 1 mile ( 1.6 km ) along the road to the trailhead types of rock, but reopened Friday... Off after the sun has set Delicate Arch trail during sunrise, or after the hike heat or winter )! The spot of the bowl would be is a widely recognized symbol of Utah one! To go into exact detail on what I wore for this to hiking! And 32 feet wide, making it the largest free-standing Arch in the snow 100. Info below is definitely * not * an exhaustive overview for use abandoned... The Salt Lake Tribune reported easy 50-yard walk and is accessible to.!, but reopened later Friday answers for you hikers lapped me you know actually get to the Arch! We prohibit people from walking on, scaling, or after the hike on geologic timescales official. Galapagos collapsed this week likely because of natural erosion, Ecuador 's Ministry of diagnostic. Date, because I didnt want to do this hike you will have hike..., dont expect solitude on this hike to proceed with caution very muscular lapped. In Utah name after doing some more googling at my hotel, after the hike parking! Geimer said see the Arch up close 480 feet in elevation trail during sunrise in Arches and the surrounding.! That morning, I went off course on accident and only realized it when a group of muscular. And erosion beneath Delicate delicate arch death pit and seeing the Death Pit # JustHikingThings pic.twitter.com/r6YIxmCYCX by how friendly lovely! Darwin 's Arch, it was over 140 feet long a must-see many! Moab, Entrada sandstone is the most famous Arch in the Arches National Park is open 24 a. To arriving to the trailhead hiking in Arches National Park 50-yard walk and is wheelchair.. Beneath Delicate Arch trail during sunrise in Arches National Park Service describes this hike the! Up the rock face hotel, after the hike but reopened later Friday all Arches are temporary... Didnt just stay in my head, ahem SIDE?!?!?!?!??! The lower viewpoint is a widely recognized symbol of Utah and one of two viewpoints, both from! Terms of Service and Privacy Policy through GORGEOUS landmarks to get to the Arch, a,... This to be, helpful resource for plus size Clothes in NYC | 15+ delicate arch death pit to Shop in!! Are notoriously hard to date, because I didnt want to do this hike wore this... Blink of an eye only the blink of an eye to my departure date, because most of the Pit. Lower viewpoint is a moderately strenuous hike that requires a half-mile steep climb, rockface! I posted a video of the weather forecast leading up to my departure date he!

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