According to National Park Service officials, a rock climber passed away last Sunday, September 22, while climbing the Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming. The tragic incident marks the seventh Devils Tower climbing death in over a century. However, the national monument has continued to receive visitors and probably will for a long time to come.
Here’s all we know about the tragic fall;
Details of the Seventh Devils Tower Climbing Death
The Devils Tower death record went up on Sunday, September 22, 2024, with the latest tragedy involving Stewart Phillip Porter, a 21-year-old rock climber from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, who went rappelling at the National Monument.
Reports claim that the accident occurred on Sunday, September 22, 2024, just before 8 p.m. Authorities were notified around the same time, and paramedics pronounced Porter dead at the scene due to major injuries.
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When his accident happened, Porter had been rappelling down the second pitch of El Cracko Diablo, a well-known climbing route on Devils Tower. The exact circumstances that led to his fall are still being investigated, but Porter was up there with a partner.
The climbing partner got stranded amidst the chaos but was later rescued from the tower’s wall. The rescue operation was made possible thanks to the involvement of the Devils Tower Lodge Climbing Guides and Buck Wild Climbing Guides.
How Many Climbers Have Died on Devils Tower?
Officials of the monument acknowledge the fact that Devils Tower climbing deaths are infrequent, but according to an official statement, that does not make it any less dangerous. Prior to Porter’s demise, there were six recorded deaths associated with Devils Tower.
The very first recorded climbing fatality occurred in 1937, and before Porter’s death, the most recent demise happened in 2003. While investigations are still ongoing into what led to the death of Porter, in the past, fatalities have been linked to falls, lightning strikes, and equipment failure.
Climbers looking to brave the challenge are strongly advised to stay updated on weather conditions, use proper equipment, and follow safety guidelines to minimize risks.
Why Is It Called Devils Tower?
The national monument got the name “Devils Tower” from a misinterpretation by Colonel Richard Irving Dodge’s expedition in 1875. The tower originally had a Native American name that was mistranslated to “Bad God’s Tower” and later shortened to “Devils Tower.”
However, there aren’t many records of why the natives named it “Bad Gods Tower” in the first place. The name “Devils Tower” was officially adopted when President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed it the first U.S. National Monument in 1906.
What we do know is that Devils Tower is considered a sacred site and is used for various religious ceremonies and rituals by Native American tribes.
Has Anyone Ever Been on Top of the Devils Tower?
According to reports, the first recorded ascent occurred on July 4, 1893. It involved William Rogers and Willard Ripley using a wooden stake ladder. Meanwhile, Fritz Wiessner, Lawrence Coveney, and William House are credited with completing the first technical climb on June 28, 1937, using ropes and pitons.
The national monument is one of the most challenging climbing sites, with over 200 climbing routes available today. Those who make it to the top have described feeling exhilaration. This is understandable, given what they sacrifice to get there.
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Why Is Devils Tower Closed?
The whole site is not closed. However, some climbing routes are temporarily shut down during the spring and summer to protect falcon nesting sites. This move ensures the safety of both the birds and the climbers.
Falcon parents can be aggressively protective of their nesting sites. The monument is also closed annually every June to respect Native American cultural and ceremonial values. The voluntary closure has been in place since 1996 and ensures that Native tribes, which still revere the monument as a spiritual site, can conduct their rituals undisturbed.
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