Views after the rockfall. Photo: Dave Miller via Supertopo.com
According to Climbing.com, an unexpected rockfall occurred sometime early this month at Half Dome, one of the most famous granite masterpieces in the world. This was certainly not first of its kind, though. Rockfall is a common occurrence in Yosemite National Park. That being said, this one in particular rendered the famous Regular Northwest Face Route unclimbable.
It is still unknown what caused the immense slab on Pitch 11 and 12 to fall, but climbers on Supertopo.com speculate it may have been related to massive thunderstorms in the area. Thankfully no one was injured, though Roger Putnam (climber and geologist) predicts more to rockfalls to come and urges people not to climb until further notice.
So if you’re headed that way, stay safe!
Estimated area of the rockfall. Photo: Mark P. Thomas via Climbing.com
