By Jeremy Borden
The Daily Progress

Published: March 25, 2008

Nelson County’s Crabtree Falls tragically claimed another life Saturday afternoon, despite the ominous warnings that dot the cliffs and waterfall cascades in the area.

Robert Slimak, a 26-year-old University of Richmond law student who was camping and hiking with old friends and fraternity brothers from Virginia Commonwealth University, fell to his death on the falls Saturday afternoon. His death marked the 25th there, a U.S. Forest Service spokesman said, despite a somber reminder along a pathway that tallies the number of deaths on or near the falls’ slippery rocks and vertical plunges. The last death at the falls happened in 2005, said Chris Rose, a U.S. Forest Service spokesman.

A sign at the falls cautions: “Young men and women between 18 and 25 years of age, who are bright, intelligent and educated fit the profile of the victims of the siren of Crabtree Falls.”

The falls are a popular spot for hikers and campers. Barriers, fences and signs are clear indications of the danger, said Rose.

“You’ve got the moving water, you’ve got the slick rocks and there are a couple areas further down where there are some pools and they can be misleading,” Rose said of the danger.

Pete Hauschner, a resident who lives nearby, many visit the falls on Easter weekend, particularly college students.

“The college kids usually come here and drink and do whatever and they’re not aware of how slippery the rocks are,” Hauschner said.

R.W. Brooks, a Nelson County Sheriff’s deputy, said Slimak’s death happened like this: Four or five men who were part of a larger group had camped midway between an area known as Crabtree Meadows and the falls. Brooks said the group hiked to the falls, climbed over a safety wall and onto a larger rock near the edge of the falls.

“At some point, the victim lost his footing and fell into the river, which took him over the edge of the falls,” Brooks said. “It is a very good possibility alcohol was involved.” Brooks said he could not confirm whether alcohol was involved until an autopsy and toxicology report is done.

Crabtree Falls, a popular hiking spot off Route 56 in Nelson County, is “the highest vertical-drop cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi,” according to the U.S. Forest Service Web site.

Relatives and friends remember Slimak as an articulate, intelligent and modest man who was an inventor and who remained active in his college fraternity, Theta Delta Chi, according to a Richmond Times-Dispatch story.

Slimak’s brother, Alan, posted a memorial on a Washington Redskins’ fan Web site. The whole family had been big Redskin fans, he said in a Monday telephone interview.

“Me, my brother and dad ... we bleed burgundy and gold,” said Alan Slimak, who added he had gotten a huge response from Redskin fans on the site.

“I am crying right now, because I am realizing that I’ll never be able to watch a game with him again,” Slimak wrote. “Rob is watching us, and he can’t wait for this coming season to start. He’s going to have the best seat in the house.”

Slimak is collecting donations for his brother’s wife, Holly, whom he said is saddled with law school bills and a mortgage, as Robert Slimak did not have life insurance. Donations can be sent to Holly Slimak, the Holly Slimak Contribution Fund, 4101 W. Broad St., Richmond, Va. 23230.
Media General News Service and Daily Progress photographer Megan Lovett contributed to this article.