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[Cover Photo: Jon Kameen/Twitter]
A rockfall on Yosemite’s El Capitan has killed one and left another injured during the popular climbing month of September reports USA Today.
According to reports, a multitude of wintesses saw the rockfall happen on Wednesday afternoon on what is commonly referred to by climbers as “The Waterfall Route.” It is so far it’s unclear whether the victims were climbing the route at the time or were simply hiking and sightseeing.
“The release point appears to be near the “Waterfall Route”, a popular climbing route on the East Buttress of El Capitan. This is the area where Horsetail Fall flows in winter and spring conditions.” – Yosemite National Park Statement
Large rockfall off the East Buttress of El Cap in Yosemite. I heard and saw it from Glacier Point at 1:51-1:52pm pic.twitter.com/youAujh3pA
— Jon Kameen (@JonKameen) September 28, 2017
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZlBRH_jwD-/?tagged=rockfall
A climber from Canada, Peter Zabrok witnessed the fall saying the slab was “the size of an apartment building, at least 100′ by 100′.” He went on to say that the section of rock fell without warning and commended search and rescue personnel for getting the injured person out of harms way as two more rock falls followed the first. The identity of the victims has yet to be released.
*Our deepest condolences go out to the friends and family of the dearly departed.