Stewart Phillip Porter of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, died after a fall at Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming.
The incident happened on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
The National Park Service said Porter, 21 years old, was rappelling the second pitch of El Cracko Diablo when he fell and sustained major injuries.
NPS said Devils Tower Law Enforcement was alerted of his fall shortly before 8 p.m., and responding staff found him and his climbing partner within the hour.
The partner had been stranded on the wall of the tower and was rescued by Devils Tower Lodge climbing guides and Buck Wild climbing guides.
Porter was declared dead at the scene by paramedics.
His death marks the seventh climbing fatality at Devils Tower in its more than 100-year climbing history.
“While climbing fatalities at Devils Tower are infrequent, it is still inherently dangerous,” NPS said in a news release.
NPS provides the following safety tips:
- Observe weather conditions to avoid storms and extreme heat
- Watch for animals and stinging insects
- Wear technical rock climbing equipment and consult multiple sources for route information since suggested gear varies by route
- Inspect all anchors and back them up if necessary
- Avoid hitting loose rock that could fall onto climbers below
- Know the location of your rappel route before beginning
- Start rappels over the nose of columns to prevent ropes from jamming in cracks
- Wear a climbing helmet to prevent injury from falling rocks
NPS said the majority of climbing accidents or deaths at Devils Tower happen during the rappel.
