A group descends the Grand Teton in changing climactic conditions.
JACKSON, Wyo. — An Exum mountain guide perished Saturday in Grand Teton National Park while leading a group of clients down the Grand Teton after completing a successful summit bid. According to the Jackson Hole News&Guide, 42-year-old Gary Falk died after falling 2,400 feet from the top of the Owen-Spalding rappell into Valhalla Canyon.
Two rangers were flown to the scene in a GTNP helicopter to investigate, and after making contact with Falk’s remains, they called in a recovery team to extricate the body of the highly-respected 12-year veteran mountain guide. His body was carried from Valhalla Canyon via long line recovery.
Hailing from Ouray, Colorado, the deceased was a trusted colleague and family man, leaving behind a wife and two little boys.
Exum chief Nat Partridge conveyed that the loss was a huge tragedy, and that Falk’s passing will deeply impact the whole climbing/guiding community.
“Gary was a diligent guide, always the consummate professional," Patridge said. "Exum is grieving from this news and struggling to comprehend the situation. ... Our love goes out to Kate and their sons.”
We will update this story as new information becomes available.
About The Author
stash member Sam Morse
TGR Editor-at-Large. author of The Ski Town Fairytale and creative behind The Bumion. Lover of steep-and-deep lines, long trails—and hot springs waiting in the distance.
smeckard
July 27th, 2016
My condolences to Mr. Falk’s family. Just curious, what does “long line recovery” mean?
kailas
July 30th, 2016
Helicopter work.
Says ‘hailing from Ouray Colorado’ is incorrect, he hails from Chicago. RIP.