Grace Rohloff, a 20-year-old student from Arizona State University, tragically fell 200 feet to her death while hiking in Yosemite National Park on July 11. Grace and her father, Jonathan Rohloff, experienced a catastrophic accident during a hike on Half Dome, a challenging climb known for its perilous conditions.
Before the fall, Grace had expressed concerns about her new hiking boots being slippery. The father-daughter duo, both seasoned hikers, encountered a sudden rainstorm after stopping to assist other climbers. The storm, which intensified rapidly, made the descent more treacherous.
Jonathan, witnessing Grace's fall, attempted to reach her but was unable to navigate the dangerous terrain. He called 911 for help, and it took rescue teams three hours to reach Grace, who had sustained severe head injuries. Despite the efforts, Grace likely died during the fall.
Jonathan recalled the sudden onset of the storm and the perilous conditions they faced. He has since urged park officials to implement better safety measures, such as additional cables and wooden planks, to prevent similar tragedies. Jonathan has vowed not to hike the Half Dome route again but hopes his advocacy will lead to improvements that enhance hiker safety.
Grace's backpack, which holds the last photos from their trip, is still hoped to be recovered. This tragic incident highlights the dangers of hiking in unpredictable weather and the need for improved safety protocols on such challenging routes.
