Woman Falls 600 Feet to Death on Yosemite's Half Dome

[megimoo]

A 26-year-old California woman fell 600 feet to her death Sunday while descending Yosemite's famous Half Dome, the National Park Service said Monday.

Hayley LaFlamme, of San Ramon in the Bay Area, was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after park rangers received a 911 call around noon reporting the fall of a hiker from the steps and cable system up the steep granite face.

The park service said that LaFlamme appeared to have slipped while climbing back down, accompanied by three friends. (Snip) LaFlamme's death is the 14th at the park this year, well above the 5-6 averaged

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43976584/ns/us_news-life/

[megimoo]

Because of the popularity of the climb, permits are now required, with a maximum of 400 issued per day.

facebook photo ...http://www.facebook.com/hayley.laflamme

Last month three people who had climbed over a barrier fence at the park's Vernal Falls were swept 300 feet to their death. Their bodies have not been recovered.

LaFlamme's death was the 14th fatality in Yosemite since January. Cobb told The Modesto Bee the park normally has between 12 and 15 deaths a year but the yearly average by the end of July is five to six.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2011/08/calif-woman-falls-to-death-from-yosemites-half-dome/1

[Bubba Dawg]

Rock climbers amaze me with their skills but it is a very dangerous sport.

Sometimes people go on vacation and forget that nature is a very dangerous place.