Man dies in rock climbing accident hours after proposing to girlfriend
A veteran rock climber died while rock climbing on a ridge in Yosemite National Park in California, just hours after proposing to his girlfriend.
Brad Parker, 36, had proposed to girlfriend Jainee Dial last Saturday (Aug 16) after the pair had completed a hike to the top of a hill called Cathedral Peak, reported The Press Democrat.
His father Bill Parker said that his son told him that his girlfriend accepting his proposal had been the best day of his life.
Unfortunately, the best day of his life turned out to be the last day of his life when he went off alone to climb a nearby ridge later that same afternoon.
According to local park rangers, other climbers saw Parker fall to his death at about 5.45 pm.
Climbing alone
He was apparently climbing alone and without the help of any ropes on the ridge.
Longtime friend Jerry Dodrill, who would often act as Parker's photographer during his climbs, said that he has seen Parker easily complete that climb on numerous other occasions.
"I have no idea what happened on that climb. It blows me away thinking about what happened," Dodrill said.
His family has planned a hike to the place where he was killed as a form of memorial.
"It's the only closure we're able to get," the elder Parker said.
Source: The Press Democrat
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now