SummitPost.org

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.

I am sorry to hear this
http://elcapreport.com/content/memory-c ... -july-2010

She seemed like quite the person & climber. Very sad. My condolences to her friends & loved ones. RIP

Oh no! This is so incredibly sad.

while its disappointing to hear a fellow climber has died climbing. Its not sad, climbing is dangerous and its expected to hear about deaths in the climbing world( especially soloing). We all know the deal once we are off the ground.

Tbenner wrote:while its disappointing to hear a fellow climber has died climbing. Its not sad, climbing is dangerous and its expected to hear about deaths in the climbing world( especially soloing). We all know the deal once we are off the ground.

What is wrong with you? Incredibly insensitive to say the least.

sad
1. affected by unhappiness or grief; sorrowful or mournful: to feel sad because a close friend has moved away.
2. expressive of or characterized by sorrow: sad looks; a sad song.
3. causing sorrow: a sad disappointment; sad news.

Regardless of how this occured, I feel for those that knew her and hope they find peace somehow.

It's a shame to hear something like this. Visited Yosemite for the first time about two weeks ago, and I've experienced the draw that people feel with the place. An unfortunate event, but she died doing what she enjoyed.

mrchad9 wrote:

Tbenner wrote:while its disappointing to hear a fellow climber has died climbing. Its not sad, climbing is dangerous and its expected to hear about deaths in the climbing world( especially soloing). We all know the deal once we are off the ground.

What is wrong with you? Incredibly insensitive to say the least.

sad
1. affected by unhappiness or grief; sorrowful or mournful: to feel sad because a close friend has moved away.
2. expressive of or characterized by sorrow: sad looks; a sad song.
3. causing sorrow: a sad disappointment; sad news.

Regardless of how this occured, I feel for those that knew her and hope they find peace somehow.

Agreed, pretty bizarre post by Tbenner

I would hardly call soloing the N Face of Eichorn (5.4) reckless, especially for someone with her climbing experience. Chan was a talented climber. I completely agree with lowlands' sentiment.

RIP to the fallen climber and my condolences to her friends and family.

While Eichorn Pinnacle's NF may "only" be rated 5.4, it's old school. Maybe the wildest and most exposed 5.4 I've ever done. There are pictures on SP of people soloing it and down-soloing it, but not me

Tbenner wrote:while its disappointing to hear a fellow climber has died climbing. Its not sad, climbing is dangerous and its expected to hear about deaths in the climbing world( especially soloing). We all know the deal once we are off the ground.

For you to say "Its not sad" is outrageous. I was there that day, the sadness was overwhelming and remains heavy for me, someone who had just met Chris an hour earlier. The sadness of her partner Jim and her family I'm sure is nearly intolerable. Shame on you.

Of course it's sad (to trivialize) to the many who knew her, the rest of us empathize more or less, depending on how our lives are going at the time. For some, personalizing the tragedy, feeling that devastation, would cut too close; so the choice of 'philosophizing' upon a tragedy or denying one's empathy to the victims, is, if not always welcome, understandable, and not reason enough to warrant outrage.
May the living find peace.

Very sorry to hear this. My prayers and condolences for the families.

Tbenner wrote:while its disappointing to hear a fellow climber has died climbing. Its not sad, climbing is dangerous and its expected to hear about deaths in the climbing world( especially soloing). We all know the deal once we are off the ground.

TROLL... every person's death is a sad thing, even yours. Also, how is someone's death disappointing but not sad. Obviously no logic or brain in that thinking.

RIP to a fellow Stanford alumna.

I work in the medical field and from time to time I speak with people who do not see death as a sad event, I understand the perspective. Although this is not my belief I can respect the view point.
I don’t think Tbenner is trying to be disrespectful.

Snowball wrote:

Tbenner wrote:while its disappointing to hear a fellow climber has died climbing. Its not sad, climbing is dangerous and its expected to hear about deaths in the climbing world( especially soloing). We all know the deal once we are off the ground.

TROLL... every person's death is a sad thing, even yours. Also, how is someone's death disappointing but not sad. Obviously no logic or brain in that thinking.

RIP to a fellow Stanford alumna.