Hiking Accident
20-year-old college student falls to death from Yosemite's Half Dome
Grace Rohloff was an experienced hiker who celebrated reaching the Half Dome summit with her dad before the accident.
A 20-year-old college student from Arizona lost her life earlier this month after slipping and falling during a hike at Yosemite National Park's iconic Half Dome. The incident occurred on July 13, 2024, as Grace Rohloff and her father, Jonathan Rohloff, were descending the challenging trail amidst a sudden thunderstorm.
Grace Rohloff, an experienced hiker and a student at Arizona State University, had just celebrated reaching the summit of Half Dome, a feat she had long aspired to achieve. The hike to the summit, which stands at 8,800 feet above sea level, is known for its demanding nature, spanning over 14 miles round trip and requiring permits due to its popularity and difficulty. The final ascent involves navigating a 400-foot section supported by metal cables, allowing hikers to climb without specialized gear.
The day began with clear skies, and the father-daughter duo set out on their hike around 8 a.m. After reaching the summit, they marveled at the panoramic views of Yosemite Valley and the High Sierra. However, their descent was met with unexpected and severe weather conditions.
"A dark cloud was rolling in rapidly," Jonathan Rohloff recalled. "I said: 'We need to get down now; we can't be up here if it rains. It came in literally out of nowhere.'" As they made their way down the cables, the rain began to pour, making the granite surface dangerously slick.
Grace lost her footing about three-quarters of the way down the cables and fell an estimated 200 to 300 feet. "She was positioned between the wooden blocks when she slipped and fell to the ground. It all unfolded so quickly," Jonathan shared. Despite his immediate attempt to reach out to her, she was already gone. The coroner later confirmed that Grace suffered a severe head injury and likely died during the fall.
The incident highlights the inherent dangers of the Half Dome hike, particularly during adverse weather conditions. Since 1948, at least 15 people have died on the cables and summit of Half Dome, with many close calls in between. The National Park Service advises hikers to avoid the cables when storm clouds are visible or the ground is wet, emphasizing the risk of lightning storms and slippery surfaces.
Jonathan Rohloff, who serves as a principal at Paseo Pointe Elementary School, expressed his grief and called for improvements to the safety of the cable system at Half Dome. "If we can enhance the safety of the cabling system at Yosemite, allowing more people to appreciate that stunning part of nature without risking their lives, that would be something she would have wanted," he stated.
Grace Rohloff was known for her adventurous spirit and dedication to helping others. She was pursuing a degree in education and had aspirations of becoming a student-teacher at Valley Lutheran High School, her alma mater. In addition to her studies, she worked two jobs, one caring for a high school student with Down syndrome and another at Dutch Bros Coffee.
"Grace lived every second of her life to the fullest," Jonathan said. "She made everyone feel important. She really took care of everyone and made everyone feel loved. I don't know how I'd be able to get through this loss if I didn't know she had great faith."
In her memory, a fundraiser has been established to support a grandson of a former math teacher diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The remaining funds will be directed to the girls' athletics program at her high school, which was close to her heart.
Yosemite National Park officials have not yet released a statement regarding the incident, and the case remains under investigation. The park's website notes that relatively few individuals have fallen and perished on the cables since 1919, but the risks remain significant.
Grace Rohloff's tragic death serves as a somber reminder of the unpredictability of nature and the importance of safety measures in outdoor adventures. Her legacy of kindness, adventure, and dedication to education will be remembered by all who knew her.