JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — A guide who was leading tourists down Grand Teton mountain has died.
The Exum Mountain Guide company says Gary Falk, 42, was leading a group down from a successful ascent of Grand Teton National Park’s highest peak when he fell at 10:30 a.m. Saturday about 2,400 feet from the top of the Owen-Spalding rappel into Valhalla Canyon near the Black Ice Couloir, the .
The park’s helicopter flew two rangers into a point nearby, and they hiked to the scene. Falk’s body was recovered via helicopter, the newspaper reports.
Another Exum guide helped the group down the mountain.
Falk, a native of Ouray, Colorado, has been working for Exum for 12 years. He has a wife and two young sons.
All Exum operations were cancelled for Sunday in honor of Falk, the News & Guide reports.
The National Park Service issued a media release on Sunday with new information following an investigation by Grand Teton National Park Rangers.
According to the media release, the investigation was based on personal interviews with Exum clients and employees, and others in the vicinity.
The investigation indicated that all four clients Falk was leading had successfully summited the Grand Teton on Saturday, and the first client had successfully rappelled down the Owen-Spalding rappel, according to the release.
The rappel device used by the first client was sent back up the rope to Falk, so it could be used by the second client. However, the device got wedged on the way up, and Falk unclipped his tether from the anchor to re-position himself to better access the rappel device, according to the release.
Witnesses couldn’t identify how Falk alternatively attached himself to the mountain after unclipping his tether, according to the release. The investigation concludes that it appears Falk fell as he was trying to free the wedged rappel device.
The National Park Service said rangers will continue to investigate, and a final report can be expected in about 30 days.
Denver Post reporter Natalie Munio contributed to this story.
