This article was originally published on 24/7Mirror
A Treacherous Hike
Never has the advice: 'don't look down' seemed more apt! Whether you're afraid of heights or not, we reckon that even the bravest among us would feel a bit sick looking down at this snowy abyss. It seems like the climber only has these incredibly thin, flimsy-looking metal rods to balance on. They look pretty precarious. They've been stuck into the side of the mountain, but they don't look very stable!
To make matters worse, the terrain looks snowy! And we all know that snow is synonymous with ice. So all in all, this slippery hike is a big fat no from us!
Hold on Tight!
Our first reaction to this snap is - wow! Let's just hope that these ropes and this guy's harness (who we later found out is a man called Brian Hollis) are secure. We don't know about you, but if we were in Hollis's position we would want our equipment checked and double-checked before going anywhere near this ominous-looking hole. This photo was taken by Joe Rohde, and the structure we're looking at is the Gibson Dam and its spillway.
Apparently, this concrete dam is 199 feet high and comprises a staggering 167,500 cubic yards of concrete. Impressively, the north end of the dam can withstand 30,000 cubic feet per second!
They’re Hanging On by a Thread... Literally
It doesn't matter whether you’re abseiling, rock climbing, paragliding, skydiving, or throwing yourself into any other extreme sports; it's imperative that you check, check, and double-check your equipment. Otherwise, you could end up in the same palm-sweating scenario as this guy pictured in this photo. It's no exaggeration to say that even the smallest of mistakes can be the difference between life and death. As you can see, they're literally hanging on by a thread!
However, as the person who took this picture had time to take a quick snap, perhaps the danger wasn't as imminent as it looked? Even so, it certainly got our hearts racing!
There's Something Strange About This Tea
Urgh. This picture makes us feel physically sick. The scary thing is that this is waaayyy more common than you would think. Sadly, we have been the victim of this tragic scenario! Could you think of anything worse than trying to perk yourself up for the day with your morning cuppa only to get to the bottom of your mug to see this eight-legged friend staring back up at you?
It makes our skin crawl (no pun intended!). Thankfully it looks like whoever made this brew realized the spider was at the bottom of their cup before they accidentally ate it!
You Never Know What's Lurking in the Sea
Whether you're new to watersports or a pro, we don't think anyone would be prepared for this. How often have we waded into the sea without a second thought about what might be lurking around our feet? We've all done it, right? That's why this picture is so disturbing. It seemed like this surfer was bobbing along, taking a quick breather, but little did they know what was beneath them...
Truthfully, we're not sure what this creature is. Is it a small shark? Whatever it is, it looks pretty menacing. Let's hope it already had its breakfast before it came across this surfer!
Waves: 1, Boat: 0
Could you imagine being on this boat and turning around to face this colossal wall of water? You're stuck on the ship and at the mercy of the elements. This is absolutely terrifying! We did some digging around the internet to find out more about this image, and apparently, this snap was taken on what's suspected to be commercial fishing boat traversing the choppy waves of the Northern Sea.
This certainly gave us a newfound respect for the dangerous job that commercial fisherpeople undergo! However, we can't help but wonder whether these waves died down or came crashing onto the boat - we guess we'll never know!
When Cleaning the Windows Becomes an Extreme Sport
This photo is terrifying. As you can see, the guy in this picture is on the outside of what appears to be a pretty tall building cleaning the windows. However, he doesn't have any safety equipment. No scaffold, no harness, no...nothing! He appears to be clutching onto the window for dear life without any support. We dread to think what would happen if he was to slip - it seems like a long way to fall!
On a similar note, we hope the bottle perched on the side doesn't fall on any passersby below. That could cause someone a serious injury from that height! All in all, this picture definitely made us cringe!
A Dangerous Place to Take a Nap
This is one of those rare occasions where the image we're looking at is as beautiful as it is terrifying - especially for anyone with a fear of heights. The view is gorgeous! It's a stunning mix of ocean views, mountains, greenery, and urban living. However, in the forefront of the picture, you can see a guy perched right on the very edge of what appears to be a mountainous edge.
The way he's positioned, it looks like he could slide off the edge at any moment and plummet to his death. We could certainly think of more relaxing places to take a nap!
When Your Dress Gets Caught in the Escalator
For those who are already a bit wary of escalators, look away now because this might be your worst nightmare. Sadly for this woman, it seems like she fell over (perhaps she lost her balance? It's so easily done in heels that high!), and during the ordeal, she got the hem of her skirt caught in the escalator. The image looks pretty intimidating. It looks like the escalator is eating the dress!
We reckon this fall had to be a pretty painful one! We just hope the dress didn't rip too high - this would make an awful situation even more awkward!
On Top of the World
First things first, we have to ask the question we're all thinking - how on earth did they get up there? They seem to be wearing harnesses of some sort. But we're still not sure of the mechanics of the situation. So then, we turn our attention to the fact that they don't look overly secure on the precipice of this rock. Not to mention, the bit of ground they're standing on seems tiny!
There doesn't look like there's much room for error here. Let's hope they got down okay! If you could overcome the fear of falling (something we couldn't do)...you might enjoy the incredible view!
The Place Where Sea Monsters Live
What we're looking at here is bridge construction. But there's something about the underwater capsule that puts us on edge - almost as if the water could swallow up this dry ground at any second. Interestingly, this enclosed structure is called a Cofferdam. Inside is where the bridge's foundations are constructed. Legend has it that a child once said that they thought this was an underwater chamber where a sea monster lived.
To be fair, on closer inspection, we can see why! This looks like the perfect place to keep a sea monster locked up! Thankfully, that isn't the case (we hope...)
Mind the Drain Cover
We have all been there, right? At some point, we've all lost our keys, phone, credit card [insert valuable item here], etc. Sometimes they accidentally fall out of our pockets or our bag, and maybe we're lucky enough to notice before they get lost forever. Fortunately, it looks like this happened here. The photographer appears to have accidentally dropped their keys onto a drain cover. Luckily the key didn't fall through the rather wide-looking slits.
We can only imagine that the owner of these keys held their breath and carefully crouched down to pick up the keys. One false move, and we reckon these keys would have been lost to the abyss!
"Watermelon Skinning"
Do you know what you're looking at? If not, don't feel bad; it took us a while to figure it out too. It's a watermelon without its skin. It's safe to say that we've never seen a watermelon served up like this - and we can't help but think it looks super weird. It seems more like a giant plum tomato than it does a watermelon! Maybe we'll stick to the regular slices?
Despite its weird-looking appearance, we would probably still eat it. After all, there's nothing better than a refreshing bite of watermelon. It's the perfect healthy snack - especially on a warm day!
Urban Mountaineering
Bleugh. If you're not a fan of heights, this photo might make you feel nauseous. Pictured here is Ukrainian urban mountaineer, Mustang Wanted. Recently, he's made quite a name for himself on the internet with snaps and videos of his high stunting. This kind of content sparks a rare mix of fear, admiration, and excitement in equal measure. Here he appears to be balancing on narrow metal joist suspended high above the ground.
One strong gust of wind or a slight misstep in balance could result in death. Our palms are sweating even just writing about it! Sometimes the risk isn't worth the Instagram shot!
Try Not to Spill the Soda
We are looking at this photo in utter astonishment. How does this work? Surely, this can't be an actual cupholder - it just doesn't add up. Perhaps it's a cubby hole for you to put your bits and bobs in? Whatever it is, someone thought it would be a great idea to slot in Mcdonald's cup full to the brim with coca-cola. We're pretty impressed that the cup hasn't already leaked.
We predict there would be a pretty big mess if the driver had to slam the brakes to conduct an emergency stop. We're sure it would make the car's interiors relatively sticky!
Mountain Climbing at Its Riskiest
We don't even want to estimate how high up this guy is. It is certainly high enough to make us fear for this man's safety. Is he free climbing? We can't seem to see any ropes, harnesses, or protective gear of any kind. Instead, it looks like he's gripping the rock with his bare hands for dear life! Unless we're missing something, this seems incredibly dangerous - don't try this at home!
We can't help but wonder where the photographer was positioned. Did they make it to the top of the mountain? Are they taking a picture of the climber looking down?
Can You See Something in My Eye?
Make it stop! That's what we're screaming. This image makes us feel so uncomfortable. We can't stop cringing! It's unclear whether this is a real picture or whether a photographer has superimposed an image of a wasp onto a human eye. Either way, it fills us with fear. If it's a genuine image, we hope the person didn't blink. We can't imagine how excruciating it would be to receive a wasp sting on your eyeball.
We don't know how you would handle a situation like that. Just lie very still, and hope for the best? Or would you get someone to gently wave the wasp away? Thoughts?
Watch Your Step
There's a lot to unpack here! Rope bridges in and of themselves are terrifying - especially when they're suspended high in the air. They never look or feel stable or safe enough to walk on! But take a closer look at this bridge. There seems to be a leg lengths gap in between each slat. You would have to be super careful where you walk. Otherwise, you could fall straight through!
Then, when you throw this ominous fog into the mix, it appears like this treacherous bridge goes on forever! Needless to say, you would not get us traversing this crossover.
This Glass Teetering on the Edge
Eeeeeeek! How close this glass is to falling off the table makes us feel on edge! Do we think the photographer told this couple about the glass after they took this snap? Did the couple notice the glass before it inevitably fell and smashed? Or did they manage to get through the rest of their meal with the glass left in this precarious position? The answers to these questions we'll never know!
At least the glass is practically empty, so should the worst-case scenario have occurred, and the glass fell, at least no drink would be wasted, and there wouldn't be a massive soggy mess to clear!
A Dangerous Way to Cross a River
The first question that springs to mind when we look at this picture is: 'Why? Why on earth would this guy think this is the best way to cross this rather deep and treacherous-looking river?' Seeing this person shuffle along these narrow metal planks so high above the water makes our hairs stand on edge! Was it a dare? Was the 'correct side' of the bridge closed? Did he do it for the thrill?
Honestly, we are not sure why this guy took it upon himself to do what is pictured here! We just hope that he made it to the other side safely.
Has the Planking Trend of 2011 Resurfaced?
We're not sure whether we're looking at the world's most extreme facepalm? An excessively risky nap? Whether the planking trend of 2011 is making a comeback? Or, a somewhat dangerous abb exercise? Whatever the point of this activity is, it looks perilous! The drop below looks incredibly high, so much so that if he were to fall, we don't think he would survive! The more we stare at this image, the more our palms are sweating.
We did some digging and found that the man pictured here is a guy called Pasha, who's pretty famous in the world of Parkour. So much so, that some dub his moves “Pash-Kour!”
If in Doubt Stick Tape on It
If you have a fear of flying or you're due to travel via plane soon, maybe quickly scroll down now! We don't know about you, but if we were shown to our seat to find that the plane window we're next to had been reinforced with nothing but tape, we would do a quick U-turn straight off the aircraft. You couldn't pay us enough money to get us to fly on this airplane!
It makes us wonder, if this is how they take care of their plane windows, what else on the aircraft might be faulty? It's not a reassuring thought, is it?
We Don't Think That's How You're Supposed to Wear Shoes
Feet are pretty gross at the best of times, but this really takes the biscuit. There's something incredibly unnerving about these toes poking out of these beige-colored shoes. It just looks so wrong. We have to ask ourselves why anyone would do this. Not only does it look gross, but we reckon it must also be quite uncomfortable. Is it a fashion statement? Was it taken to provoke a reaction?
If it was the latter, they certainly achieved their goal. It definitely spurred a reaction in us and elsewhere on the internet. Apparently, it's not just us who were grossed out by this image!
Don't Look Down
Bleugh. This photo makes us feel a bit nauseated. We reckon that looking down from such a height would make even the bravest amongst us quake in our boots. We really hope that this snap has been photoshopped - if not, this is absolutely terrifying! What if a large gust of wind came along? Or they lost their balance? Falling from such a height is a thought we rather not dwell on!
There has to be a safer way to enjoy the view, right? On a separate and unrelated note, we have to say that we're huge fans of the red converses!
Ice Ice Baby
Brrrrrr! Just looking at this picture makes us feel cold. We have goosebumps. What we're looking at here is a drone shot of a lady taking an ice bath in Switzerland. She's not even wearing a wetsuit! Apparently, this image was taken by photographer Antoine Janssens and the woman pictured here is called Cindy Gyot. On her website, she describes herself as a freediving instructor, Swiss Mermaid, and underwater performer.
We hope she doesn't drift under the ice because that would be a terrifying and hazardous situation. So it's safe to say there's no way we could look so peaceful in the freezing cold!
Are the Aliens Coming?
We have to admit; we're not really sure what we're looking at here. But, nonetheless, this image still creeps us out somewhat. It seems a bit like an electrical current has caused all these coins to stand on edge - perhaps a sign that an alien life force is approaching (just kidding). But, in reality, someone has probably just gone to the trouble of placing these coins on edge. Why?
We're not sure whether this was a challenge? Or someone just had too much time on their hands? Either way, let's hope no one jogs the table - otherwise, these coins will likely roll in every which direction!
Unwanted House Guests Are the Worst
Unwanted house guests are the worst. There's nothing more annoying. However, in the case of our eight-legged friends, they're not just irritating; for those with a phobia of spiders, they can be downright terrifying! If you live with arachnophobia, it's safe to say that there would be nothing worse than finding a spider that's set up camp in your shoe. Fortunately, it appears that the owner of said shoe noticed the spider before putting them on!
We can only imagine the horror of accidentally crushing a spider inside your favorite pair of sneakers and then having to try and get it out! It makes our stomachs turn just thinking about it.
When People Will Go to Any Lengths to Get the Perfect Profile Picture
Oh, dear. Just look at the width of these spherical railings and the width of this guy's feet. As you can see, there isn't much room for error here as this person precariously balances high in the air, with seemingly nothing to support them. We just hope that this person's shoes have incredible grip because if it were us, we don't think it would take much to throw us off our balance!
The prospect of doing this would certainly have us shaking with fear. We're not sure why this person decided to do something so risky. Perhaps to get a new Facebook profile picture? Who knows?
The Ultimate Cliff Hanger
We're really hoping this snap is just a clever camera angle or a modified photo because, otherwise, this looks incredibly dangerous! What we're looking at here is a woman who has seemingly got to the top of a cliff top and decided to take a seat right on the very edge. This is truly what you can a cliffhanger! There has to be a safer way to take in this gorgeous view.
However, despite the sheer drop, the woman in the picture doesn't seem too worried. In fact, she appears to be enjoying the view. It's safe to say we wouldn't look so serene if it were us on the cliff edge!
When You Lose a Shoe in a Pretty Dramatic Way
Ouch. That was the first word that sprang to mind when we saw this image. As you can see, this brightly colored sandal has lost its owner. It looks like the escalator has grown teeth and is greedily eating up the shoe. We hope the wearer had taken the sandal off before this awful scene. We have to wonder whether the escalator stopped. Did the sandal go through to the other side?
Whatever happened, one thing's for sure; we don't think the shoe will be fit for purpose, even if they could rescue it from the escalator's teeth. It looks like the top of it would be taken clean off!
Don't Let It Drop
Admittedly, this isn't one of the scarier images on this list. However, it still makes us feel jolly uncomfortable. If you use a desktop computer, you will know how important the hardware is that is pictured here. Without them, your computer monitors and projectors are rendered useless. There will be nothing but a blank screen. So, to see it hanging like this would probably be enough to make any computer-lover squirm.
The cables look like they are strained to the absolute max. We hope whoever took this photo quickly saved this hardware before it crashed to the ground after they took this snap!
Please Don't Let the TV Fall
Upon first glance, you might think that the TV in this photo is in the midst of slipping off this cabinet and that the monitor is just seconds away from smashing into the ground. But fear not; despite appearances, the TV is actually entirely secure. Apparently, it is firmly clasped by the partition wall on the cabinet. However, even with this knowledge, it does not exactly fill us with confidence.
We can not imagine being able to settle down and watch TV comfortably in the evening with the screen at such a weird angle. It just doesn't feel right. We would be so on edge!
Do You Recognize This?
Bleeeeugh. This image is so so gross; it just makes us shiver. This is what it looks like close-up when we insert a needle into our skin. We're not sure if it's the needle inserted into the flesh. Or the tiny bits of skin stuck to the needle. Or even the skin hairs against the needle. It's a heady cocktail of ickiness. However, with that said, as kids, we all did this, right?
We would take a needle and prick the very top layer of our skin. Why? We're not sure, but it was certainly something we did in the nineties and noughties.
When Parking Lot Signage Is Slightly off
When we see road and parking lot signs, generally speaking, we obey them, right? But what do you do when the sign doesn't look quite right? This is undoubtedly an issue in this picture, which is probably why it makes us feel a little uncomfortable. We can only assume that this arrow painted in this parking garage is supposed to indicate to vehicle owners to drive straight on in a straight line.
But this arrow is ever so slightly slanted to the right. So, we can't help but wonder whether people have followed this guidance and veered to the right. Awkward, right?
When Chairs Bite Back
Desk chairs with wheels attached to them can be such a double-edged sword. Yes, it can make it easier to move chairs from one place to another. However, a notable bug bearer is that it's so easy for stuff to get tangled up in their wheels. As is so aptly demonstrated in this image. Getting your bag straps caught up in the wheels of your desk chair is surprisingly common.
But it doesn't make it any less uncomfortable to look at. What else could get trapped in those wheels? The mind boggles, which is probably why this snap makes us cringe a bit.
Moisturizer Is the New Butter
Ewwwww. Why would anyone do this? Is this someone's idea of a prank? Have they promised to make a loved one a sandwich, only to gift them this disgusting snack? Or was the photographer intrigued to see what Nivea moisturizer tasted like on a bit of fresh white bread? Admittedly, out of context, the spread does look a bit like butter or more of a cream cheese, but we're pretty sure it won't taste that way.
Or, perhaps the photographer was just looking for something to provoke a reaction online. If so, they certainly succeeded because it's got us all feeling rather sick and wishing we hadn't seen the image.
Don't Mess With Expectations
Most of us, whether we like to admit it or not, are creatures of habit. So, it's no wonder that we get used to expecting things to be a certain way. We're comfortable with familiarity, right? And it turns out we feel this way about all kinds of things - including forks. It wasn't until we saw this picture that we fully appreciated that there's a ubiquitous opinion of what a fork should look like.
Typically speaking, a traditional fork with either three or four prongs, all of which are equal in length. This is why some aren't fans of this image, as the middle slit is deeper than the rest.
Breakfast Tastes Sharp
This image is absolutely horrifying. So much so that we can't even begin to fathom why such a photo would ever exist. But it does, and here it is. This picture looks like a bowl of milk with tons of push pins in it. Then someone grabbed a spoonful of the milk-coated pins, a bit like you would cereal. However, legend has it that the white liquid isn't actually milk.
Instead, someone has coated the pins in a white-colored disinfectant. This prompted the photographer to liken the scene to a bowl of cereal, and thus this picture was born. It still makes us wince though.
Why Couldn't They Just Roll Their Sleeves up?!
Yuck! We are pretty sure that most of us have experienced wet sleeves at one point or another. Whether we've been overzealous with the washing up or we've wrestled with an overly lively tap, it's easy to walk away with wet sleeves. It's so uncomfortable, which is probably why this picture makes us cringe a bit. But we can't help but wonder why this picture was even taken. What's the point?
Why was this posted online? Who thought that this would make for good content? Unfortunately, we don't have the answers to these questions - do any of you have any thoughts?
Why Is Pouring Water so Hard?
To be fair, this picture made us laugh more than it made us grimace. Not least because we've done this tons of times before. How often have you tried to pour something from one container to another, only to spill the majority of it? In theory, it should be a relatively simple task, but it rarely ever is - especially if the glass you are pouring from is pretty full.
Just look at the mess! We're all shouting at our screens, 'stop pouring the water!' We just hope that the photographer quickly went to grab a cloth after they shot this snap.
Are You Feeling Hollow Inside?
It's safe to say this phantom-like statue in Italy certainly is. The figure isn't the only of its kind at Vezio’s Castle in northern Italy. Its empty shell provokes feelings of loneliness and terror. The statue looks like a haunted spirit searching for meaning in this idyllic countryside. Yet, with the peaceful and beautiful backdrop, the image has a certain air of calm restfulness that contradicts the statue's terrifying silhouette.
During the day, this is a sight worth seeing. However, at night, when you don’t know what to expect going up these stairs, we'll give this site a hard pass.
The Black Crack in Utah
If you suffer from vertigo, you probably won’t dare to approach this 65-foot-deep fissure in Utah like these brave hikers are doing. Nevertheless, there's something uniquely terrifying about this black scar marking the earth’s surface. Found along a trail in the Canyonlands National Park, those that fall would surely never come out again. Needless to say, it’s all too easy to allow ourselves to imagine that a blackness like this leads somewhere else entirely.
The world splitting in half like that is a vision from a dystopian tale, made all too realistic by this example. It’s terrifying to think this crevasse isn't the only one. Moral of the story: when you're out there in the wilderness, be careful where you step!