El capitan deaths. 5 climbing deaths occur on average in the park, according to an analysis of climbing deaths and injuries in Yosemite conducted by Search and Rescue Ranger John Dill and presented in the paper “Staying Alive. Charleston - Eli James Olson, 25, died on Saturday, April 29th, 2023 in a tragic hiking accident on El Capitan mountain in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas. John was born October 13, 1968, in Toledo and graduated from St. Mar 20, 2025 · 2005 September – Chris Feher, age 35, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, was climbing solo on the Slab Route of Half Dome when he fell 100 to 150 feet to his death. Jun 3, 2018 · Two climbers have fallen to their deaths while climbing the rock face known as "El Capitan" in California 's Yosemite National Park. Honnold rose to worldwide fame in June 2017 when he became the first person to free solo a full route on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park (via the 2,900-foot route Freerider at 5. Thanks for your help! Jun 3, 2018 · The two men were trying to scale the sheer granite face of world class climbing challenge El Capitan. — A 60-year-old veteran parachutist plunged to her death when her chute failed to open while jumping off the top of 3,200-foot El Capitan on Friday to protest Nov 28, 2019 · Alex Honnold, who gained fame as the subject of the Oscar-winning film "Free Solo," which documented his historic climb of El Capitan, mourned Gobright’s death online. Jun 3, 2018 · Two climbers have plunged to their deaths from the world famous El Capitan rock face in the US. Most climbers do a good job coping with the hazards of their sport, yet more than 100 climbing accidents occur in the park every year. Jun 2, 2018 · The climbers fell while climbing the Freeblast Route on El Capitan inside Yosemite National Park. As more people join the thread it occurred to me that people who know the victim might as well. They were friends from my hometown, and I am now writing a book that includes the accident. There was some speculation that this accident may have been caused by a rock fall. They were also two of the best climbers to ever ply their trade on Yosemite's most iconic wall. Jason Wells, 46, and Tim Klien, 42, died trying to scale the Untamed wasn't filmed in Yosemite, but its story is centered on the mysterious death of a young girl whose body fell off the top edge of El Capitan. While the family hasn’t revealed the actual cause of the untimely and sudden death of Obed Lopez, according to some reports, he passed away in a tragic auto accident. He was 66 and known as a legend by fans one-third his age. Jun 3, 2018 · Two experienced climbers fell to their death Saturday morning as they ascended a challenging route on Yosemite’s El Capitan. Alex Honnold (born August 17, 1985) is an American rock climber best known for his free solo ascents of big walls. Eli is survived by his parents Scott and Doreen Olson, his sister Rebecca Fischer and her husband Daniel, and Jun 4, 2018 · According to Climbing magazine, this is the 25th death of a climber recorded on El Capitan. But did you know that it is also the inspiration behind the logo and name of The North Face? It’s no wonder Climber Alex Honnold has been dreaming of free-soloing the 3,000 feet (900 m) rock wall of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, a feat no one has performed. The popular climbing destination sees more than 100, mostly non-fatal, accidents each year. Has anyone died trying to climb El Capitan? Brad Gobright, 31, was with 4 days ago · On a quiet summer evening in Lakeside, California, a vibrant community was struck by an overwhelming sense of loss. ” All quotes that follow are from this article. 1 day ago · Hi folks, I am looking for climbers, YOSAR search and rescue personnel, or witnesses who happened to be in Yosemite when three climbers fell from El Capitan during a rappel off of the nose route on May 14,1978. Jul 29, 2024 · The father of a 20-year-old woman who fell to her death on Yosemite's Half Dome is speaking out. The jump was staged following the death of a previous jumper who had successfully managed to Oct 23, 1999 · Jan Davis, 60, was one of five jumpers who planned to leap from the top of 3,200-foot El Capitan in the Friday protest, organized in response to the June 9 death of a man who parachuted off the May 15, 2025 · Family and friends say two men who fell to their deaths while climbing El Capitan at Yosemite National Park were elite climbers. Oct 6, 2023 · A climbing guide died from a fall on Yosemite National Park's El Capitan on Sept. Julie Johnson is a reporter with The Chronicle's climate and environment team. In all, Farabee said, 31 of the 120 climbers who have died in the park since 1905 have died on the famous granite Jun 3, 2018 · Two experienced climbers died after falling Saturday. Jan 30, 2023 · Climbing Safety A Yosemite climbing ranger assists with technical rescue of climber on the Nose route of El Capitan. Jan Davis, from Santa Barbara, had been among a group of people who leapt from El Capitan with the aim of demonstrating that base jumping could be carried out safely. In 2013, Felix Kiernan died on the East Buttress after being hit by rockfall dislodged by the leader. It is the portrait of a straight-speaking, dedicated rock climber with incredible Oct 5, 2023 · Details remain scarce, but local publication El Cap Report said the instructor fell to his death while climbing the face's most iconic route. It's the third serious climbing or hiking accident in Yosemite in the past month. Sep 29, 2023 · Half Dome from Glacier Point in Yosemite Valley Just eight kilometers down the road from El Capitan stands another imposing landmark that is hard to miss – Half Dome. Rangers Jun 3, 2018 · Two climbers fell to their deaths at Yosemite National Park in California, according to spokeswoman and Park Ranger Jamie Richards. Jun 10, 2018 · The deaths of Wells and Klein marked the fourth multiple death on El Capitan since 1978, when three climbers fell more than 1,000 feet after their anchor broke. So the climbing world was stunned when they died on Jun 3, 2018 · El Capitan is one of the best-known landmarks in Yosemite Two climbers have been killed while trying to scale the granite rock formation known as El Capitan in California's Yosemite National Park Nov 29, 2019 · A world-renowned American free solo climber has died attempting to descend the side of a cliff face. Maybe you’ve seen it. They knew that park officials Oct 25, 1999 · 1999-10-25 04:00:00 PDT YOSEMITE -- Friday's fatal plunge by parachutist Jan Davis during a protest of Yosemite's ban on stunt diving from El Capitan caused anger, grief and recrimination over the Jun 2, 2018 · Officials say two people have been killed after they fell while climbing El Capitan at Yosemite National Park. Oct 2, 2023 · Reports of a climber falling to his death on El Capitan have been circulating over the past few days. 13a (7c+) in Jun 3, 2018 · Two climbers have fallen to their deaths while scaling El Capitan granite rock formation at Yosemite National Park. Oct 23, 1999 · YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK — A parachutist plunged to her death off Yosemite’s most forbidding peak Friday during a protest of park rules banning such jumps. John P. Sep 29, 2017 · Yosemite death: First pictures emerge of British climber killed by falling rock in national park Andrew Foster crushed under 1,000-tonne slab of granite during adventure holiday with wife, who was Oct 14, 2019 · Has Alex Honnold’s free solo climb of El Capitan sparked more daredevils? At least one free soloist has fallen to his death since the film was released. 4 days ago · Obed Lopez Death – Beloved Residence of Lakeside, California; Passed Away on August 2 The El Capitan High School community is grieving the heartbreaking loss of Obed Lopez, a 17-year-old student-athlete who tragically passed away on August 2, 2025. Feb 25, 2019 · While we may see a rise in overall deaths, to climb without ropes or gear is still a niche of a niche. El Capitan in California's Yosemite National Park is considered one of the world's most challenging climbs. In recent years, Tyler Gordon died on the Nose in 2015 when he hit a ledge after an accident made while rappelling. “McNeely was a driving force for wall climbers in Yosemite for many years,” said Yosemite photographer Tom Evans. Brad Gobright, 31, fell around 300m (1,000ft) to his death in El Potrero Chico in northern Jun 2, 2018 · The climbers fell while climbing the Freeblast Route on El Capitan inside Yosemite National Park. 28, according to multiple reports posted online. Freerider is graded at 5. Francis de Sales School in 1987, the University of Toledo in 2001, and received his MA degree in Communications from Bowling Green State University in 2003. Yosemite veteran and owner of the El Cap Report, Tom Evans, has updated his website with some new information. I was a raw Jun 3, 2018 · Today’s sad news marks the 25th accident resulting in a death on El Capitan. Oct 23, 2006 · Before 145,000 spectators, his daughter and his old El Capitan jumping partner, Schubert leaped off a bridge to his death. Sep 28, 2017 · The NPS reported a subsequent rock fall off El Capitan on Thursday afternoon that resulted in a road closure. The most gruesome example was a woman in 1999 jumping off El Capitan who didn’t open her parachute because she couldn’t find the cord in her new equipment. Nov 22, 2021 · How many climbers have fallen off El Capitan? According to Climbing. Last month, a U. Free solo climbing first gained popularity in the 1970s with the release of the film Free Solo, which documented the ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park by American climber Alex Honnold. The rock fell, cutting Robison's lead rope and sending him to his death. This story has been updated with reports of an additional rockfall on Thursday. Yosemite guru Tom Evans, author of the popular blog “El Cap Report,” broke the news of the accident on September 29. May 15, 2025 · Woodworth said falls like this leading to three deaths are extremely rare. Aug 20, 2024 · The final moments of a base jumper before she leapt to her death from a peak in Yosemite National Park were tragically caught on camera. Obed Lopez, a student-athlete remembered for his infectious spirit, big heart, and dedication on and off the basketball court, passed away unexpectedly on August 2, 2025. Air Force flight Aug 15, 2022 · The Times reported that Michael Blake, 19, of Santa Monica, California, had fallen from the “last rope” of the Nose route on El Capitan. Eli was born August 1, 1997 in Dover-Foxcroft, the third of five children born to Scott and Doreen Olson of Charleston. Two men climbing a granite rock wall known as El Capitan in Yosemite National Park fell to their deaths Saturday morning, the National Oct 6, 2023 · Several hikers and climbers have been injured or died over the past few years after falling from the 7,500-foot rock formation in Yosemite National Park. Klear, 55, of Toledo, Ohio, died on October 20, 2023, while climbing El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. com Jun 9, 2018 · After the two fell to their deaths in a mysterious accident while climbing fast and light on El Capitan June 2, friends remember Tim Klein and Jason Wells as talented, compassionate family men. May 2, 2023 · A hiker died at El Capitan Peak after falling off a ledge in the area in the southernmost part of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Browse historical events, famous birthdays and notable deaths from May 14, 1978 or search by date, day or keyword. m. Known for his humility, kindness, and team spirit, Obed was a standout student and a cherished member of the school’s athletic program. Aug 8, 2024 · Conquering El Capitan, the 3,000-foot vertical face on the other side of Yosemite Valley, is arguably the crowning achievement in any technical climber’s career. 3 days ago · Obed Lopez, a standout soccer and volleyball player at El Capitan High School, passed away on August 2, 2025, at an untimely age of 17, leaving his family, friends, and loved ones devastated. Courtesy National Geographic The filmmakers do a good job of questioning Honnold leading up to the ascent, which is why it’s so jarring when they stop. Jun 4, 2018 · Family and friends say the two men who fell to their deaths over the weekend while climbing El Capitan at Yosemite National park were elite climbers who partnered on routes since their college days in San Diego. Bailey was “dashed to death” on June 5, 1905, while trying to make a “record climb up a cliff west of El Capitan. Yosemite National Park has not yet reported the fatality, but on Sept. Chris Van Leuven eulogizes the 38-year-old stone mason, analyzes the accident and teaches us something about Yosemite Valley geology. com, 25 people have died on El Capitan, while more than 100 climbing-related accidents happen in Yosemite each year, according to the US National Park Service. 9 C2 3000’). May 25, 2024 · Climbing El Capitan stole the national spotlight with Alex Honnold’s death-defying free-solo climb on “El Cap”. Common causes, vulnerable population, and other fatality trends are observed. Davis' jump was part of an organized act of . “Dad Sep 4, 2018 · This study takes a closer look at deaths that occur in Yosemite National Park. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Mar 1, 2019 · ‘Free Solo’: El Capitan climber Alex Honnold on risks, love and thoughts of death Stunning Academy Award-winning documentary set to make its television debut Jul 20, 2015 · In October 1999, five people climbed El Capitan in Yosemite National Park to commit an act of civil disobedience: parachuting off the 3,000-foot-high granite cliff. McNeely was also a slackliner and pioneered many highlines throughout the US. He led the first paraplegic ascent of El Capitan with Mark Wellman. His other interests included BASE jumping and wingsuiting. No new deaths or injuries were reported from the slide, and Yosemite remained open. For reasons under investigation by park rangers, the rope had severed and Blake had died. What happened on May 14, 1978. Park Rangers received emergency calls reporting the falls on Saturday morning Oct 3, 2018 · The climber is the first person to reach the top of Yosemite’s 3,000-foot El Capitan wall without ropes. Jan Davis, a 60-year-old Santa Barbara El Capitan is one of the most well known rock faces for climbing, with its 3000 foot height and insanely difficult routes. S. The process of preparing and executing that dream was made into the Oscar-winning National Geographic documentary, Free Solo, by Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi. Please forgive my blunt description in the original post. Two climbers were killed seven years ago in a fall on El Capitan at Yosemite National Park in California. According to Climbing. Dec 20, 2018 · Tim Klein and Jason Wells were weekend warriors. Oct 4, 2023 · On September 28, an experienced Korean climbing guide reportedly passed away in Yosemite, after rappelling off the end of his rope while descending from Sickle Ledge on the iconic El Cap route, The Nose (VI 5. 41M subscribers Subscribed Two expert climbers fell off El Capitan this weekend and died. Jun 10, 2018 · Five people have died in climbing accidents on El Capitan since 2013. What factors contribute to them? What, if anything, can climbers do to avoid them? Jan 28, 2018 · Six enthusiasts died since 1981, four jumped from El Capitan, two leapt from Half Dome. The male hiker died Saturday and was found by rescuers the On Friday, October 22, 1999 Jan Davis, 60, died while attempting a BASE jump from El Capitan in Yosemite Valley. 4 days ago · The El Capitan High School community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of one of its brightest young lights. Obed Lopez, a 17-year-old senior at El Capitan High School, tragically passed away on August 2, 2025, leaving behind a grieving community of family, friends, classmates, and teachers who will forever cherish his radiant spirit. Feb 19, 2023 · During his time in the Valley, McNeely climbed over 60 routes on El Capitan and spent hundreds of days on the wall. Jun 4, 2018 · Best Friends Fall to Their Deaths While Rock Climbing in Yosemite National Park Tim Klein and Jason Wells died Saturday morning after falling from the massive El Capitan formation at northern May 11, 2022 · Mike Corbett, celebrated for rock climbs in Yosemite National Park, California, has died. The “big” review won… Carl Ronald Boenish (/ ˈbeɪnɪʃ / BAY-nish; [2] April 3, 1941 – July 7, 1984), considered the father of modern BASE jumping, [3] was an American freefall cinematographer, who in 1978 filmed the first jumps from El Capitan using ram-air parachutes. Oct 6, 2023 · A climbing instructor reportedly fell to his death on Yosemite's El Captain, which has been the site of several accidents and deaths in recent years. 'the Captain' or 'the Chief') is a vertical rock formation in Yosemite National Park, on the north side of Yosemite Valley, near its western end. I was there climbing, and I may have spoken with some of you. The climbers were on the Freeblast Route of El Capitan when they Apr 29, 2019 · I just finished my written review of The Impossible Climb: Alex Honnold, El Capitan, and the Climbing Life by Mark Synnott and published by Dutton in March 2019. What is the death rate in El Capitan? An estimated 2. 13a, the first-ever big wall free solo ascent at that grade), [3] a climb described in The New Sep 28, 2017 · At least one person is dead and another injured after a deadly rockslide fell from El Capitan in Yosemite National Park in northern California. I am editing this original post to avoid the potential of adding any additional trauma to the family, friends and/or climb team of the Sept 28, 2023 accident victim on El Capitan, Yosemite. Jun 7, 2018 · Tenacity paid off Wednesday as Alex Honnold and Tommy Caldwell reached the top of El Capitan, the most celebrated slab of granite on Earth, in less than two hours, breaking a barrier compared to The deaths of Wells and Klein marked the fourth multiple death on El Capitan since 1978, when three climbers fell more than 1,000 feet after their anchor broke. El Capitan (Spanish: El Capitán; lit. . Known for his kindness, dedication, and infectious Jul 24, 2024 · Adventurous young student climbs Half-Dome with father, then falls to her death during storm in California’s Yosemite National Park How many climbers have died on El Capitan? A former Yosemite ranger, Charles “Butch” Farabee of Tucson, told the Chronicle at the time that since 1905, 31 climbers had died on El Capitan, including 23 in falls. Ammon McNeely (June 3, 1970 – February 18, 2023) was an American rock climber who specialized in big wall climbing and aid climbing, and who set many speed climbing records and made the first "one-day ascent" for many climbing routes on El Capitan in Yosemite. Oct 5, 2023 · Tragedy struck Yosemite on September 28th when a seasoned Korean climbing guide lost his life while descending from the iconic El Capitan. Takedown request View complete answer on sfchronicle. Nov 22, 2021 · Has anyone died trying to free solo El Capitan? While Mr Jacobson crashed through a bush, which cushioned his fall, before striking a ledge, Gobright fell to his death. Officials reported receiving several 911 calls after the tragic accident on the Freeblast Route of the 3,000-foot granite monolith in the California national park. What happens when the man who conquered El Capitan without ropes faces the ultimate balancing act—family life? My guest today is Alex Honnold, the iconic climber whose ropeless ascent of El Capitan was immortalized in the Oscar-winning documentary “Free Solo” —an achievement that captivated the world and established Alex as one of the most extraordinary athletes of our time. Tributes to Gobright, who once held the coveted speed record on the Nose of El Capitan in Yosemite, have come in from across the climbing world. As a This type of climbing is extremely dangerous and has resulted in many deaths over the years. Jul 24, 2024 · A father recalled to SF Gate his daughter’s chilling final words moments before the 19-year-old daughter plummeted hundreds of feet to her death from Yosemite National Park’s Half Dome. We now know the names of the two men who died while climbng El Capitan at Yosemite National Park Nov 29, 2019 · Tributes to Gobright, who once held the coveted speed record on the Nose of El Capitan in Yosemite, have come in from across the climbing world. Here are 5 incredible climbers who unfortunately fell while on the giant Jun 5, 2013 · Already through the three cruxes of the climb and just 600 feet from the top of El Capitan, Mason Robison did what we've all done before: pulled on a loose block. Eric Bana, who leads the cast of Untamed as ISB Jun 3, 2018 · Two elite climbers fell to their deaths on Saturday while ascending El Capitan, one of the best-known rock formations in Yosemite National Park in California. Jul 17, 2025 · In the first episode of Netflix’s new murder mystery, Untamed, a woman plummets to her death off of El Capitan —the famous vertical rock formation in Yosemite National Park. Oct 22, 2018 · Alex Honnold climbs way, way, way above the Valley floor during his free solo ascent El Capitan’s Freerider. The granite monolith is about 3,000 feet (914 m) from base to summit along its tallest face and is a world-famous location for big wall climbing, including the disciplines of aid climbing, free climbing, and Oct 5, 2023 · A climbing guide reportedly fell to his death while descending El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. The rockslide began near the park's "Waterfall Route Dec 20, 2017 · Yosemite’s First Climbing Death Charles A. More than four million people visit the park each year. A tremendous young man from El Cap, his loss will hurt us as a community, to his friends, most of all to his family Community mourns the loss of Obed Lopez, a young man from El Cap, with many Jul 24, 2024 · CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES – DECEMBER 13: A view of Half Dome and El Capitan in Yosemite National Park of California, United States on December 13, 2023. Obed Lopez was an amazing and multi Nov 22, 2021 · How many people have died climbing El Capitan free solo? Over thirty fatalities have been recorded between 1905 and 2018 while climbing El Capitan, including seasoned climbers. Oct 23, 1999 · YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. Bailey, June 5, 1905 According to an article titled “Fell from El Capitan” in the June 10, 1905, Gazette Mariposan, Charles A. Sep 25, 2018 · Despite Investigation, Questions Remain Following June Deaths of Two Elite Climbers on El Capitan Julie Ellison | September 25, 2018 UPDATE: Note to r/yosemite community. ” Looking at climbing data from between 1970 and 1990, Dill found that 51 climbers had died in Takedown request View complete The two men were reportedly experienced climbers. Feher was a veteran of Yosemite rock climbing routes, and he had climbed Half Dome and El Capitan many times. "We eventually, if possible, would like to get more information Nov 22, 2021 · Over thirty fatalities have been recorded between 1905 and 2018 while climbing El Capitan, including seasoned climbers. Half Dome is about as famous as large chunks of granite get and has long been a prized line for big wall climbers. Oct 5, 2023 |Updated Oct 6, 2023 9:13 a. Sep 28, 2017 · Many people witnessed as the giant slab of granite cascaded off the massive monolith El Capitan near an area popular with hikers. Legendary El Capitan claims another two climbers euronews 2. His choice of big wall climbing route on El Capitan is called Freerider, a route that was created by Alexander Huber in 1998, and which Honnold has completed several times with protection equipment. 29 climbing veteran Tom Aug 2, 2023 · The hiker who died on Monday climbing El Capitan Mountain in Lakeside was a high school teacher making the most of summer break by enjoying nature in the place where he felt most at home Nov 22, 2021 · Has anyone died trying to free solo El Capitan? While Mr Jacobson crashed through a bush, which cushioned his fall, before striking a ledge, Gobright fell to his death. doirc ypzdr qbh lkbq arnxg odlqs emwr rvqhh sjs hzcx