Rock Climber Dies In Joshua Tree

[magikwalt]

March 16, 2009


Man falls to death while rock climbing at Joshua Tree

Denise Goolsby
The Desert Sun

A man fell to his death while rock climbing at Joshua Tree National National Park on Sunday, according to Riverside County Coroner's office reports.

The 67-year-old man, who's name has not been released pending notification of next of kin, was hiking about 3/4 of a mile west of Hidden Valley.

He fell at 4:40 p.m. and was pronounced dead at 5 p.m. according to the coroner's report.

[EnFuego]

Wow. That really sucks. Condolences to his family.

I wonder what the details are. Anybody know anything more?

[Cy Kaicener]

There is more info on http://hikerhell.blogspot.com
Now it is the first post but later you will have to scroll down. The rock formation is called the Giant Burrito

[AlanK]

I scrolled down...

It's off topic, but it does show that there are worse places to hike than Southern CA.

Thursday, March 12, 2009
Hiker Dies in Fall from Rescue Chopper

Who: An Israeli hiker.
Where: Outside of Beit She’an, Israel
His mistake: He hiked through a minefield and lost a foot. Not sure whose fault it is that he slipped from the chopper.
What happened: I can’t make this stuff up. A hiker in Jerusalem decided to hike through a minefield. During his expedition, he stepped on a land mine and lost his foot.

A chopper was sent in to rescue the injured hiker. As the hiker was being hoisted to the door of the chopper, the man slipped out of the harness and fell to his death. It is unknown how many feet he fell, and it is also unknown how the man slipped through the harness. I don’t even want to think about why this guy decided to hike through a minefield.

[Rick Kent]

Hiking thru a mine field? It's great fun till someone gets their foot blown off.

[AlanK]

The closest I've ever come to hiking throuth a mine field is hiking across a large field that has a goose turd every few inches. But I expected to come out with both feet intact... and did.

[hikehigh]

Sad, I hate hearing this stuff, but I think its important we are reminded of the dangers involved.

[southswell]

This man was a very experianced, respected Joshua Tree climber. He will be missed by many.

The formation he fell from is called The Great Burrito. From what I can tell the news articals that have circulated regarding this accident are probably very inaccurate as to the details. Suposedly, there will be a statement made soon to clarify these details.

RIP Woody Stark

Your routes are your legacy and assure you a permanent place in the hearts of the climbing community.

[Cy Kaicener]

Read what rmru has to say about Woody Stark RIP
http://rmru.org/missions/2009/woody-stark.html