Global Courant 2023-05-03 18:10:52
One climber died and another was stranded this weekend in a Texas national park where rock climbing is banned.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park was notified Saturday that a member of a climbing group had fallen off a ledge and appeared unresponsive.
Search and rescue teams worked from noon to night to access the remote site.
Close air support was provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety and aircrew from C Company 2-227th MEDEVAC from Fort Hood.
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The entrance to Guadalupe Mountain National Park. (Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Additional support was provided by Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Eddy County Fire Department, Carlsbad Fire Department, Dell City Fire Department, Olympic National Park firefighters, Culberson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Culberson County Ambulance Service.
A rescue team finally reached the fallen climber on Sunday morning and found them dead.
The stranded climber was also rescued on Sunday morning.
El Capitan in Guadalupe National Park. (Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
A member of the park’s rescue team sustained an injury and was transported to El Paso for treatment.
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Access to the Pine Springs area was restricted for emergency traffic during the incident, but has since reopened.
“The Guadalupe Mountains National Park staff is saddened by this tragedy and our entire park community extends our sincere condolences to the family and friends of those involved,” Superintendent Eric Leonard said in a statement.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park in the Chihuahuan Desert of western Texas. (Edwin Remsberg/VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The National Park Service wrote to remind visitors that rock climbing — including the use of technical aids, rappelling, or free climbing without assistance — is prohibited in all areas of the park.
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The agency explained that most of the rock in Guadalupe Mountains National Park is highly fractured limestone.
“These conditions are prevalent throughout the park and create loose rocks that can be easily dislodged, resulting in dangerous climbing conditions,” it warned.
Julia Musto is a reporter for Fox News and Fox Business Digital.