Hiker falls to his death from Half Dome
Manoj Kumar, 40, from San Ramon, CA fell to his death from Half Dome at 3:40 PM yesterday, June 13, 2009.
Yosemite National Park rangers said that there was evidence that Kumar had been using the cable handrails that assist hikers on the 17-mile round trip hike, which ascends from Yosemite Valley almost 5000 feet.
Rangers escorted about 30 other hikers down on Saturday evening, as weather made for dangerous conditions.
(Note added June 15, 2009: Kumar had reached the summit of Half Dome and fell from the cables on Half Dome while making his descent. The evacuation from Half Dome involved 41 visitors to the park. Kumar was the first person to die on Half Dome since 2007, when two people died in separate incidents.)
An estimated 50,000 hikers use the cable handrails to climb Half Dome each year.
We extend our sympathies to the friends and family of Manoj Kumar.
-Bill at Cheshire Cat Photo™
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