El Cap Deaths

Jason Wells, 46, of Boulder, Colo., and Tim Klien, 42, of Palmdale, Calif. died after falling from Freeblast on El Capitan, a free variation start to the Salathe Wall. The two were on a rope ahead of a third partner, Kevin Prince, when something went wrong. Eyewitnesses said one of the climbers fell and pulled the other, while Prince remained clipped in to protection. The three were reportedly trying to climb the big route quickly and in a day. Callen Hearne, who was jumaring ropes to other climbers, saw Wells and Klien fall and rappelled only to discover the two had died. Prince later descended with other climbers.