During a heavy rainstorm in Yosemite National Park on July 13, a student from Arizona State University slipped and died after falling from the Half Dome cables.
Father Mourns Daughter’s Tragic Fall on Yosemite’s Half Dome Cables
Park officials didn’t comment on the incident, but Jonathan Rohloff confirmed that his 20-year-old daughter Grace slipped and died while they were descending the Half Dome cables. Jonathan described Grace as a wonderful person and expressed his desire to share her story. They had hiked together extensively, including famous spots like Angels Landing and the Grand Canyon. Grace had secured a permit to hike Half Dome on July 11, which they were both excited about.
They left Phoenix for Yosemite the next day after clearing their schedules. Starting their hike around 8 a.m., they were warned by a ranger about potential storms, though the sky was clear when they reached the base of Half Dome’s cables just after noon.
They joined other hikers on the steep 400-foot ascent supported by the cables. Upon reaching the top, they enjoyed breathtaking views of Yosemite Valley and the High Sierra. Jonathan took photos of Grace and admired her bravery. Grace expressed her joy at checking off climbing Half Dome from her bucket list and told her father how much she loved him.
They left Phoenix for Yosemite the next day after making time in their schedules. They started hiking around 8 a.m., and a ranger had warned them about possible storms, although the sky was clear when they reached the base of Half Dome’s cables after noon.
They climbed up the steep 400-foot section using the cables along with other hikers. At the top, they enjoyed stunning views of Yosemite Valley and the High Sierra. Jonathan took pictures of Grace and admired her bravery. Grace was thrilled to have crossed climbing Half Dome off her bucket list and told her father how much she loved him.
As they descended, the granite surface became extremely slippery. The climbers ahead of them were slipping around, and Grace, despite wearing new hiking shoes meant for good grip, found them too slippery. Jonathan tried to reassure her, suggesting they take each step carefully. He believed they were being cautious.
However, about three-quarters of the way down the cables, Grace lost her footing. “She just slid off to the side, right next to me, down the mountain,” Jonathan recalled. “It happened so quickly. I tried to grab her hand, but she was already gone.”
Father’s Heartbreaking Vigil: Waiting for Rescue After Daughter’s Tragic Fall at Half Dome
Jonathan Rohloff hurried down the cables as fast as he could after seeing his daughter slide down a steep slope, about 200 to 300 feet below. He hoped she might still be alive. When he reached the bottom, he realized the mountain was too steep for him to reach her.
Desperate, he shouted for someone to call 911, but people around him stared without responding. Eventually, he dialed 911 himself. He kept calling out to Grace, hoping she could hear him. “Grace, I’m here. I won’t leave you. If you can hear me, give me a sign. I love you,” he repeated.
Jonathan dropped to his knees and prayed for a miracle. A few people approached him, asking if they could pray too. Erin McGlynn, a 22-year-old who had just hiked up with her mom, witnessed Jonathan’s distress. She described it as heartbreaking but also praised his bravery for trying to comfort Grace.
Meanwhile, park ranger Shawna Daly stayed with Jonathan for three hours as they waited for rescuers. They endured strong winds, heavy rain, and even hail. Jonathan recalled hail as small as peas and later as large as pingpong balls.
The ranger stayed with Jonathan Rohloff when he received the news from rescuers that Grace had passed away. She accompanied him on the hike down the mountain, supporting him through the difficult journey without his daughter.
Jonathan appreciated the ranger’s compassion, noting that she went beyond her duty to connect with him on a personal level. Later, when Jonathan spoke to a coroner, he learned that Grace had suffered a severe head injury and likely passed away quickly during the fall. He found some comfort in knowing that she did not suffer.
Another small comfort for Grace’s parents would be to retrieve her backpack, which contained all the photos she had taken. Jonathan mentioned that the backpack had separated from Grace during the fall and ended up about 100 feet away from the cables. When asked, Yosemite officials did not respond to whether they planned to retrieve the backpack.
Celebrating Grace Rohloff: Athlete and Adventurer Remembered
- Grace was admired by her family for being intelligent, selfless, and adventurous. Her younger siblings looked up to her. At Valley Lutheran High School, she excelled academically and set records in javelin throwing. She was also a sprinter and played basketball on various teams, including one that traveled across the country.
- Standing at 6 feet tall and incredibly strong, Grace impressed with her ability to leg press about 600 pounds. Her father recalled how she not only shone on sports teams but also made everyone feel important, regardless of their role.
- Emily Samora, Grace’s cousin, described her as hardworking in all aspects of life. Grace was taking extra classes to graduate early and pursue a career as a math teacher. During the day, she worked as an aide for a girl with Down syndrome, and at night, she served as a barista at Dutch Bros. Emily and Grace often spent time together and planned camping trips, enjoying new adventures and sharing laughter.
- Grace’s mother, Astraea Rohloff, remembered her daughter as a source of pure joy. Astraea shared a touching story about a sticky note Grace left after helping with chores, showing her thoughtful and caring nature.
- Jonathan Rohloff, Grace’s father, has been grappling with the tragic events, finding solace in his belief that there are reasons behind Grace’s passing that will become clear in time.
- Since 2006, at least six people, including Grace, have died from falls on Half Dome’s slippery granite during rainstorms.
In 2010, the National Park Service tried to reduce accidents caused by overcrowding at Half Dome by setting a limit of 300 people per day at the summit. They also made hikers apply for permits through a daily lottery. However, a study in 2018 by Wilderness & Environmental Medicine found that incidents per person doubled after the permit system began. The researchers suggested that because it’s hard to get a permit, people might take more risks to reach the summit on their one chance.
Erin McGlynn, who hiked to the base of the cables with her mom in heavy rain and hail, thinks limiting the number of people at the top is a good idea for safety. However, she feels the park doesn’t do enough to discourage climbing in bad weather. The park doesn’t give refunds or let people use their permits on another day if they’re stopped by bad weather, she explained.
Jonathan Rohloff believes the main problem on Half Dome is the design of the cable system, which he thinks could be much safer. He thinks the cables should be more like a drawbridge, with wooden planks close together and something to hold onto. He also thinks there should be a second set of cables closer to the ground.
“This was my first time and my last time doing Half Dome because it’s unnecessarily dangerous up there,” he said. “It won’t bring my daughter back, but I want to push for a safer way to get to the top of Half Dome.”
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