A father-daughter hike that began as a bucket list for an Arizona college student ended tragically when she fell to her death. Yosemite’s Half Dome Earlier this month.
Hiker Grace Roeloff, 20, and her father, Jonathan Roeloff, were descending a cable from the summit of Yosemite on July 13 when they reportedly slipped and fell. SF GateThe 14-16 mile round trip hike to Half Dome is known to be difficult, and hikers must obtain a permit in advance.
Jonathan Roloff reflected on his final moments at the summit, taking in the panoramic views and sharing words of gratitude before beginning his descent.
“These black clouds just rolled in like crazy,” Roloff recalled. “I said, ‘I need to get down right now because I can’t be out here and it’s raining. They literally just rolled in out of nowhere.’
On the way down, Grace slipped on a slippery section of rock.
“She was between some wooden blocks and she slid to the ground – and it happened really fast. She slid down the side of the mountain,” her father said.
The National Park Service did not immediately respond to the Guardian’s request for comment.
The cable climb is the most famous, or infamous, part of the hike, allowing climbers to use two metal cables to ascend the final 400 feet to the summit without rock climbing equipment.
“Since 1919, there have been relatively few deaths from falling onto cables,” the agency said. Website Read.
Roloff said the skies were clear when the Buckeyes began their climb, but they heard thunder shortly after reaching the base of Half Dome.
The National Park Service advises hikers to avoid climbing Yosemite’s Half Dome if there are storm clouds in the area and the ground is wet.
Roloff recalled that about three-quarters of the way down the cable, Grace lost her footing and slid down the mountain.
“It all happened so quickly,” he said. “I tried to reach out, but she was already gone.”
Roloff said it took three hours for rescuers to arrive by helicopter as he and park rangers waited in high winds, rain and hail.
Rescue workers told them Grace had died, and a park ranger accompanied her grieving father down the mountain.
“I know that’s her job, but [the park ranger] “He went above and beyond to make a human connection with me,” he said.
The coroner told Grace’s father that her daughter suffered severe skull fractures and was likely killed in the fall.
A fundraiser was organized in Grace’s memory to raise money for the grandson of her former math teacher at Valley Lutheran High School, who was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and who inspired Grace to become a teacher.
The remaining funds will be donated to girls’ track and field at the high school, something the fundraiser described as “something that is dear to her heart.”
“She had a sense of humor that made everyone laugh. She was a treasure and we will miss her dearly,” the fundraiser description reads. “She passed away the way she lived – full of pure excitement and adventure.”
Roloff is the principal at Paseo Point Elementary School and said he is still trying to understand what happened.
“I believe God was calling her back to heaven,” he said, “and I believe there is a reason for her death that will be revealed to us.”
