It is understandable that some people, when exposed to Moabian sandstone, become enamored of Moab and the rock formations around it. But some visitors are of a weak constitution and suffer from odd behavior as a result of such exposure. An example of this can be seen in the photo above---a hiker is assuming the shape of a stone arch, a type of formation in abundance near Moab.

This "arching" behavior has been documented elsewhere in this forum: a hiker who had been observing Delicate Arch assumed the same type of pose as a form of honoring the beauty of said arch. But in the scene above there is no arch in sight. The influence of Moabian sandstone on this poor soul is so strong that he is prone to spontaneous "arching" with no apparent triggering element.

Psychologists refer to his condition as "sandstone inebriation," but lay people call it "stoned on stone." Regardless of its name, the medical community considers it to be hopeless.

Photographed in the Sand Flats Recreation Area above Negro Bill Canyon. Camera support was provided by Joe Tripod, who is often on stone but never stoned (and he never arches).