A California woman died in a fall Sunday from the popular site in Zion National Park known as Angels Landing.
The victim, 55-year-old Nancy Maltez of Glendora, California, was reported to be hiking with family members early Sunday when she fell at about 8:30 a.m. The accident was reported by another hiker by cell phone.
She was believed to have stumbled and fallen from the north side of Angels Landing. Media reports indicate she fell a distance of about 1,000 feet, and search-and-rescue crews reached her body before noon.
The West Rim Trail from the Grotto to Scout Lookout, along with climbing routes on the north side of Angels Landing, are temporarily closed while an investigation by the park and the Washington County Sheriff's Department is completed.
There has been considerable discussion on theTraveler in recent months about the safety of the Angels Landing Trail. Prior to today's incident, the most recent fatal fall at that location was in 2007.
The park website includes the following information in a description of the Angels Landing Trail:
Caution: The route to Angels Landing involves travel along a steep, narrow ridge with support chains anchored intermittently along the route. Footing can be slippery even when the rock is dry Unevenly surfaced steps are cut into the rock with major cliff dropoffs adjacent. Keep off when it is wet, icy or thunderstorms are in the area. Plan to be off before dark. Younger children should skip this trail; older children must be closely supervised.
This accident will almost certainly revive the debate about the safety of the popular trail. According to the park website, "about 5 people" have died due to falls from Angels Landing in the 100 years since the park was established, but it is not the most dangerous trail in the park. Emerald Pools holds that unwelcome distinction with seven victims.
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Comments
Climbed this trail in like 95 or 96 while on a Boy Scout summer camp. Did not think it was dangerous at the time, but our leaders couldn't make it to the top. Myself and one other scout were the only ones to complete the hike.
I would think the "about" is there, because when does an accident get classified as a suicide ? I'm sure it MUST attract the depressed !!
Hiking is fun but hike according to your skill level. Everyday some looses their life from carelessness or beyond their skill level. Unless you are skilled for this hike stay off. A loss of life can never be forgotten. Maybe people should read death in Grand Canyon. Personally children should 16 and under should stay off these dangerous trails. When you climb remember your in the Lords hands.
I agree. the statistics are not accurate. It is much higher with most of the deaths coming from California visitors. I like the idea of a timeline with when the deaths occurred, both online and at the trailhead. If the weather isn't right, ie ice or too windy, it should be closed.
First climb up the trail was probably in 2004 or so. I got to Scout's Overlook. Pondered the last 1/2 mile for some time and finally decided - nope - can't do it. I was a Microwave Radio Tech and would sometimes climb towers to replace lights - wearing a harness. I wanted so badly to finish the trail, I went back the next year with the harness in my backpack, figuring I could put it on and hook up to the chains if things got too bad (not sure that was the best thinking). However, I found I never needed to, was just very cautious and focused. So glad that I did it! Went back a couple years later and did it a final time. Dangerous? Yep. Should they make it "safer"? Nope. I believe a dozen or so people die at the Grand Canyon each year. An 8 foot high chain link fence around the whole canyon would cut that way down and yeah, that sounds silly, but so does making Angel's Landing "safer" Plenty of chain along dangerous portions and those with a fear of heights should not attempt it. There is no stopping people doing stupid stuff. Now this lady stumbled. Nothing "stupid" in that and accidents WILL happen. But don't ruin a beautiful hike because of an accdient. Consider how many thousands of people have hiked this and even with the stupid people, very few people have died (though I think the real number is more than 5). One thing I would consider is what happened to Half Dome hike in Yosemite. It became so crowded, they went to a lottery system of selecting those who could hike it each day. You still have a good chance of hiking it - that just cut down on the crowds and probably a lot of people who shouldn't even be on it. I had more than one couple/group that barely crawling up it, causing major backlogs. Same with Angel's Landing. Have people reserve times/slots to climb, to include the last 1/2 mile. Just my two pennies. Shame when anyone dies on such trails - even the one's doing stupid stuff. And while you can't control accidents, you can control the crowds.
These trails should be open for adults but i feel age restrictions should apply to this type of trail. I see parents forcing their petrified children to such scary trails. There is no excuse for that type of Irresponsibility.
I am sorry to hear about your sister, and cannot imagine what you and your family had gone through upon this untimely loss of your sister.
We recently hiked Angels Landing & found it to be safe if you are cautious. What bothered me more was being at the top with several foul-mouthed 20-somethings. We would have liked to spend more time at the top after exerting all that energy but they ruined the experience for me. One young girl came up after us & said loudly, "This is f_____ awesome. " Seriously? Unfortunately she wasn't the only one in her group to throw that around.