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Rockfall Kills Climber at Taylor’s Falls in Minnesota

A 23-year-old Minneapolis man died Thursday afternoon at Interstate State Park in Taylor’s Falls from a rockfall accident. Some crags in the area are known for suffering from severe freeze/thaw cycles that loosen big blocks.

According to the Chicago County Sheriff’s Office, first responders were called to Traprock Street in the park’s Lower Landing area just after 4 p.m. They found two men who had fallen, one conscious, the other unconscious and not breathing.

The climber who survived the accident, a 31-year-old man from Savage, was taken to St. Croix Falls Hospital, then flown to Regions Hospital in St. Paul for treatment. The climbing accident is under investigation, the Sheriff’s Office said. The name of the deceased will be released after an autopsy.

A friend of the deceased, commented on Mountain Project, “Hi all. The climber who passed was a childhood friend of mine. He was kind, curious, smart and passionate about anything & everything in his life. His energy and spirit will be impossible to replace. I spoke to him just a few days ago and climbed with him about two weeks ago. He was really excited to go out with his co-worker, who is an experienced climber & the man who was airlifted, to learn about anchor building. I still don’t know much about what happened. I’m heartbroken and in shock. If anyone knows more, please get in touch with me.”

In 2018, a 23-year-old climber died after falling from the top of the cliff to the ground while scouting for new routes. On March 27, 1978, nearly 43 years to the day of the most recent death, a young man died in a climbing fall.

The American Alpine Club’s grief fund was designed to assist friends and family of climbers who’ve died in the mountains. For more info, visit here.

 

 

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