Sad news out of Yosemite National Park as two people fell to their deaths on Thursday. The couple were visiting Taft Point, a famous high-point that delivers excellent views of the valley and the popular climbing wall, El Capitan.
Details of the incident are scarce as the investigation is ongoing. This popular viewpoint sits at 7,500′ and has a vertical drop off the side of it. There is only a railing on certain sections of the cliff. Aside from the stunning views, this is a frequently visited vista due to its ease of access. It is a 2.2-mile round trip from the trail head.
Just last month, an Israeli man fell to his death at Nevada Fall in the National Park. These incidents offer a sad and very somber reminder of the dangerous nature of the terrain in our parks. According to CBS Local – San Francisco, this incident brings the 2018 death toll at Yosemite National Park to 10.
“A male and female visitor died in an apparent fall from Taft Point in Yosemite National Park. Yosemite National Park Rangers are recovering the bodies this morning.
This incident is under investigation and no further details are available. No photos or videos are available. The identification of the deceased has not yet been determined.” – Yosemite Press Release 10/25/18
If Taft Point sounds familiar, it was the site of a Twitter photo that went viral earlier this week. Photographer Matthew Dippel, captured an image of a couple getting engaged at Taft Point. The image was taken from a distance and he was unable to hustle over to the overlook in time to identify the mystery lovers. As a result, Dippel took to Twitter to try to get the public’s help in identifying the engaged couple.
Twitter help, idk who these two are but I hope this finds them. I took this at Taft Point at Yosemite National Park, on October 6th, 2018. pic.twitter.com/Rdzy0QqFbY
— Matthew Dippel (@TheCornChips) October 17, 2018
Taft Point is also the last spot legendary BASE Jumper and climber, Dean Potter would leap from before his untimely death.
The entire Yosemite release can be found here.