Yosemite Backpacking 2019

[Drunk Monk]

Not to be alarming but...

Hiker climbing Yosemite's iconic Half Dome dies in 500 foot fall

This August 2011 file photo shows Half Dome and Yosemite Valley in a view from Glacier Point at Yosemite National Park.
AP

JOSHUA YEAGER | VISALIA TIMES-DELTA | 2 hours ago
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An Arizona hiker fell to her deathwhile ascending the iconic granite peaks of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park on Thursday, the National Park Service reports. 


Danielle Burnett, 29, of Lake Havasu City, was scaling the steepest part of the popular trail when she fell more than 500 feet down steep and rocky terrain.
Burnett was dead when park rangers arrived on scene, according to park officials.
It's unclear what caused the fall. The incident remains under investigation. 
Half Dome rises nearly 5,000 feet above Yosemite Valley and is one of the park's signature sights. Each summer, visitors vie for one of 300 spots released in a daily lottery to complete the 14-mile trek to the top of the iconic dome and back.
The cable trail was first erected in 1919 to help hikers complete the demanding climb. Since then, thousands have scaled the granite cliff for one of nature's grandest views.


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The parks service revised the Half Dome permit system in 2010, restricting the number of hikers able to complete the climb.
Prior to the limit, officials believed overcrowding contributed to an increase in deaths and injury on the trail. On peak days, as many as 1,200 visitors could be seen scaling the trail.