northpalisade2Local questions about the possible death of a climber led to Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park where Public Information Officer Dana Dierkes  confirmed that a man had fallen while climbing the North Palisade Peak. He fell several hundred feet and is believed to have died on impact.

Dierkes said that a 59 year-old man was climbing with two companions in the North Palisade Peak area at the 14,284-foot level in the north part of Kings Canyon National Park. Dierkes said the man was near the summit and tried to climb over what was described as a bulging ledge. He lost footing and fell several hundred feet.

Dierkes said, “We believe he died on impact.” She said the man’s hiking companions reported the fall to another party who informed rangers. The National Park Service organized a body recovery effort. Dierkes said that the deceased man, who is unidentified, was taken to the Fresno County Coroner’s office for an autopsy.

We were unable to confirm reports that a Mammoth Lakes physician had either been hiking with the man or had assisted in the reporting of the incident.

Discover more from Sierra Wave: Eastern Sierra News

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading