Climber dies in fall at Yosemite
Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 10:14 pm
http://www.uniondemocrat.com/2010071410 ... t-Yosemite
A Stanford University student died Friday in a climbing accident in Yosemite National Park.
Christina “Chris” Chan, 31, a fourth-year graduate student studying political science, was climbing without ropes on Eichorn Pinnacle near Tuolumne Meadows when she slipped, according to park spokeswoman Kari Cobb.
Chan fell 300 feet, to the horror of climbing partner Jim Castelaz.
In a detailed account of the accident posted on a Facebook memorial page, Castelaz described the circumstances that led up to the fatal accident.
The two had been free soloing, or climbing without ropes, on Eichorn Pinnacle while waiting for two friends who were on Cathedral Peak, also above Tuolumne Meadows.
It was close to noon, but the conditions were cold and windy and the pair decided to descend.
According to Castelaz’s account, Chan was 10 feet from a ledge that signaled the end of the pinnacle route when he heard a sound and turned to see her falling farther down the steep mountainside.
Chan was an experienced climber, having served two terms as president of the Stanford Alpine Club.
Nine climbers have fallen and required rescue this year in Yosemite, and three people, including Chan, have died in rock climbing accidents.
A Stanford University student died Friday in a climbing accident in Yosemite National Park.
Christina “Chris” Chan, 31, a fourth-year graduate student studying political science, was climbing without ropes on Eichorn Pinnacle near Tuolumne Meadows when she slipped, according to park spokeswoman Kari Cobb.
Chan fell 300 feet, to the horror of climbing partner Jim Castelaz.
In a detailed account of the accident posted on a Facebook memorial page, Castelaz described the circumstances that led up to the fatal accident.
The two had been free soloing, or climbing without ropes, on Eichorn Pinnacle while waiting for two friends who were on Cathedral Peak, also above Tuolumne Meadows.
It was close to noon, but the conditions were cold and windy and the pair decided to descend.
According to Castelaz’s account, Chan was 10 feet from a ledge that signaled the end of the pinnacle route when he heard a sound and turned to see her falling farther down the steep mountainside.
Chan was an experienced climber, having served two terms as president of the Stanford Alpine Club.
Nine climbers have fallen and required rescue this year in Yosemite, and three people, including Chan, have died in rock climbing accidents.