He was 88. We do not know, and will never know, the cause of his death. Rangers and fellow guides recovered the climber's body Sunday. Recreation and outdoor businesses in Teton County and other resort areas present unconventional challenges when it comes to ensuring safe workplaces, John Ysebaert said. Cyndi Hargis, one of Exums owners, A Warner Bros. Park Rangers identified the guide as Gary Falk, 42, of Ouray, Colorado. It is something AMGA has become aware of largely as a result of this tragic accident, he said. Gardner was a veteran of the Himalaya and South America and had climbed across North America. A mountain guide died after falling into a canyon at Wyomings Grand Teton National Park, authorities said. Very informative and useful report. The sound came from the direction of the Grand, but Santelices said he could see no rocks coming out of the Stettner Couloir, a source for rockfall. Exum conducted gear training and assessment each year but they just had not formalized it and were counting on experienced staff, the settlement agreement states. on the Grand after reaching the summit with his clients, Falk leaned away from the anchor while trying to free [a] wedged rappel device, which he Refrain from using negative Theres going to be things that we can do in the future that will reduce our risk. He was preparing to safeguard the students with a belay rope as they rappelled one-at-a-time off a roughly 120-foot drop slightly below the summit. George was an Exum guide for 17 years. Other than this, we will not share any contact information that you give to us. Stay up to date with the latest Exum adventures and news by following us on your favorite social media sites. 2023 Exum Mountain Guides - All Rights Reserved. On July 23rd, 2016 Gary Falk fell to his death during the down climb of a guided trip on the Grand Teton. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. "He was someone who was passionate about being the best teacher and guide he could be," Santelices said, "especially with kids.". Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. This is the name that will be used to identify you within the system. Learn More{{/message}}, {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}It appears your submission was successful. In recent years, Wyoming OSHA has investigated the death of an ecology field worker slain and eaten by a bear or bears, a ski patroller killed in an avalanche and another patroller who died in a fall. Sign up to receive a weekly e-newsletter with a spotlight on Jackson Hole's crime, justice and emergency news from theJackson Hole News&Guide. Sign up to receive a daily e-newsletter with a selection of local, state and regional news headlines from theJackson Hole Daily. Throughout those years, a countless number of individuals from age 8 80 have climbed with us. Helicopter work. Angus,, saving lives with critical thought and factual information- keep up the good work. Falk, a native of Ouray, Colo., has been working for Exum for 12 years. page. At 26, McGlashon is Exum's youngest ski guide and one of only two guides under 30 (the other is 29). A Park Service helicopter dropped two rangers into the area, who hiked to the victim and pulled his body out using a long line a 150-foot line attached to the helicopter. Guides and clients went to sleep as the headlamp party descended. Our love goes out to Kate and their sons.. Investigators may never know for sure why 58-year old George Gardner, a climbing guide with nearly three decades of experience, fell to his death while free soloing a route in Grand Teton National Park that was well within his capabilities. Gardner left the valley floor Saturday with about four other guides and a group of clients, including youths from Wilderness Ventures. Sign up to receive a weekly e-newsletter with a selection of economic and business news from theJackson Hole News&Guide. Mary Harlan, a close family friend and part-time instructor with Aspen Alpine Guides, recalls Falks adventurous, child-like spirit. We rely on loyal members like you to sustain our reporting and grow the WyoFile community. "That signaled to us something was wrong," Turner said. The guide was highly certified, highly trained in the tying of that knot, Ysebaert said. His body was carried from Valhalla Canyon via long line recovery. Being in the middle of a job, its easy to let that go. Use your real name: Anonymous commenting is not According to theJackson Hole News&Guide, 42-year-old Gary Falk died after falling2,400 feetfrom the top of the Owen-Spalding rappell into Valhalla Canyon. They can, for example, be untied, threaded through bolts or around trees, and re-tied quickly without using up much sling length in the knot itself. It was not something that was over and above him in any way, Turner said. In fact, the famed Les Gets bike park - just a few valleys over from the Mont Blanc Massif - reopened its lifts to mountain bikers due to a lack of snow. "Our business has grown. When he fell, Gary Falk had just successfully guided his group of three students from a program called City Kids, and their chaperone, to the top of the mountain, according to Grand Teton National Parks accident report, made public by a FOIA request filed by the Jackson Hole News&Guide. 1 listed. Sterling Ion R 9.4 XEROS rope: Every filament is dry-treated and made for the alpine, Finding a new route on the Grand Teton: the North Buttress Direct (5.10+ R), The Dynafit Yotei GTX Pant sets a new standard for getting around in the mountains, Madaleine Sorkin becomes the first woman to free climb Dunn-Westbay Direct (5.14-). But light from a set of headlamps appeared on the descent route from the peak and those in the camp figured it was Gardner, perhaps aiding a late party down. Teewinot is a book about a mountain range, its austere temper, its . This would be consistent with leaning out on a lanyard that fails, the report said. He has a wife and two young sons. In addition to Turner's writing efforts and executive position in Exum Mountain Guides, he frequently appears on the company . 2017 All rights reserved. Arnold S. Houston, TX. Park rangers believe that during a rappel procedure the knot in a loop . Soon after, they descended into the gully west of the route to find Gardner dead. Two rangers were flown to the scene in a GTNP helicopter to investigate, and after making contact with Falks remains, they called in a recovery team to extricate the body of the highly-respected 12-year veteran mountain guide. Grand Teton National Park climbing rangers believe a knot Falk tied to make a tether from nylon webbing slipped and sent him plummeting 2,500 feet to his death. The News&Guide welcomes comments from our paid subscribers. Refrain from using negative Its not practical for [Exum] to inspect it each and every time.. Fred Beckey and the Improbable Ascent of Mount Waddington. There was no one better at taking care of their clients., The process with OSHA was very positive, Patridge said. guides with clients up on the Grand. He had been guiding with Exum for 17 years and had been a professional for 28. Teton Range, Wyoming. and all webbing is really only about 1/8 thick (at the least the tubular) regardless of width. says. The loss of the seasoned guide, a dedicated husband and father, has devastated the community According to Debbie Germann, Grand Teton National Park spokeswoman, as quoted in the Jackson Hole Daily, the accident occurred the morning of Saturday, July 23. 12th year as an Exum guide, and worked year-round in the Tetons, San Juans, Southern Utah and Red Rock, Nevada, according to Exum. Your real name will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more! From their base in Grand Teton National Park near Jenny Lake, Exum Mountain Guides provide guided climbing trips throughout . Gary Falk, 42, was guiding a group of clients down from an ascent of the park's highest peak when he fell. Never really took that many pictures of him because I thought hed always be around, Bill Grasse, Falks Grand Teton climbing rangers examined Falks gear after they retrieved his body and found the 98-inch webbing still attached to the guides harness with a hitch knot. Those methods, Mr. Williamson said, essentially involved tying a rope around the climbers and pulling them up the mountain whenever they encountered difficulty. Exum President Nat Patridge stated in a press release, Exum Mountain. He continues to climb the Tetons as a guide for Exum Mountain, Guides, the oldest and most prestigious guide service in America. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. By Angus M. Thuermer Jr., Jackson Hole, Wyo. Angus M. Thuermer Jr. is the natural resources reporter for WyoFile. The gear in question, a rappel device, was being raised to Falk when it became wedged. An Exum Mountain Guide died Saturday morning on the descent from the Grand Teton. (Grand Teton National Park), When he fell, Gary Falk had just successfully guided his group of three students from a program called City Kids, and their chaperone, to the top of the mountain, according to Grand Teton National Parks. A Jackson Hole climbing guide service paid a $7,350 fine for safety violations after state officials investigated the 2016 death of a guide who fell from the Grand Teton. Federal laws require employers to ensure their workers in hazardous places have protective gear that meets certain standards, Ysebaert said. You have permission to edit this article. 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