Editor's Note: After publication, Adam Couser contacted The Cool Down to clarify details regarding the incident referenced in this article. Couser claims that he was not the individual who marked the rock formation shown in the circulating clip. According to him, the markings were made by another member of the group he was traveling with. He further noted that the markings were made with chalk, not a permanent material. He acknowledged that filming the incident was a mistake and has apologized for it, but maintains he did not commit the act of vandalism. We have updated this article to reflect his clarification.

Sharp-eyed viewers noticed one national park visitor committing a crime on a stream and shared screenshots to r/youtubedrama.

"YouTuber Adam Couser vandalized the Grand Canyon, even though he shows in his video (that is now edited) that there is a plaque that basically says not to do it," wrote the original poster. "I have tried contacting different outlets, but it hasn't gotten me anywhere."

As Couser later told The Cool Down, it was another member of his group who made the markings on the rocks.

"I did record the video, but I was not the one who wrote on the rock with chalk — that part was done by my friend," he said. 'I wasn't aware he had done it until I reached the top and saw the last bit of it. At the time, I didn't realize it would be viewed as an issue or interpreted the way it has, and I certainly had no intention of causing any problems."

"I've also spoken to my friend to make sure he understands why it wasn't appropriate," he added.

Content creators have become a plague on parks, plugging their channels in graffiti elsewhere in Arizona. Other instances of defacing rocks in national parks can be seen in Australia, Kentucky, and Maryland. 

The Grand Canyon site Couser's group was visiting is owned by the Hualapai people. The tribe has been inhabiting the land for thousands of years despite the U.S. military's attempts to commit genocide. 

Making a few scratches into a rock may seem innocuous enough. But repeated, similar damage from a steady stream of visitors erodes the character of the landscape. This includes damaging the cultural significance of these sites and causing unforeseen ecosystem damage. 

For example, lichens that grow on rock formations usually take a long time to do so and serve vital biosphere roles. Eager tourists in Norway, however, have shuffled rocks around a protected park for amusement. This both disrupted reindeer feeding and destroyed archeological sites in the process.  

National parks typically enforce a "leave no trace" philosophy, which can result in fines for those that aren't able to comply. Perpetrators who record and share footage of themselves in the act don't create a case that favors them.

The Reddit community was equally infuriated by Couser's group's lack of respect for nature parks. 

"What is with these absolute buffoons in carving their name, card number, and SSID on s*** they're not supposed to," said one commenter. "Then get surprised when their actions catch up to them."

"I am sick of nuisance streamers vandalizing and doing stupid s*** again and again," replied another. 

Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely 👍 Only in some areas ☝️ No way 👎 I'm not sure 🤷 Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

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