Hiker killed after fall from Half Dome

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK » A hiker was killed after he slipped and fell from the Half Dome cables on Monday afternoon, according to the National Park Service.

The man, who has not been identified, was hiking with another person during thunderstorm activity around 4:30 p.m. Rangers arrived on the scene and provided assistance to the second hiker.

Yosemite National Park Rangers recovered his body on Tuesday afternoon. His identity will be released pending family notification.

The cause of the incident remains under investigation. No photos or further details about the incident are available.

This is the park’s first visitor fatality of the year — and the first fall from the cables up the 4,800-foot dome’s nearly vertical granite slope since 2010.

The park averages 12 to 15 traumatic deaths per year, but most of them involve drownings.

Every year, thousands of people reach the summit of Half Dome, a perch once thought inaccessible. The challenging 14- to 16mile round-trip hike culminates with a dizzying 400-foot ascent up a ladder-like contraption made of two metal cables, so rock climbing equipment is not necessary.

Yosemite offers these tips to safely use the cables: Take your time and be patient with slower hikers. Allow faster hikers to pass you, when possible. Remain on the inside of the cables.

The ascent should not be attempted if storm clouds are in the area or if the ground is wet. Most accidents on the cables occur during wet conditions, because the rocks turn slippery.

A permit is required to hike the cables. For day hikers, permits are available by lottery in March, with a limited number available two days in advance.