A 20-year-old Arizona State University student, Grace Rohloff, tragically fell to her death while hiking in Yosemite National Park on July 11. The fatal accident occurred as Grace and her father, Jonathan Rohloff, were navigating the challenging Half Dome route. Just moments before the fall, Grace had expressed concerns about her footing, saying, “Dad, my shoes are slippery.”
The Rohloffs, both experienced hikers, were caught in a sudden and intense rainstorm while descending from Half Dome, a hike known for its demanding conditions and limited daily permits. The storm, which appeared unexpectedly, exacerbated the perilous nature of their trek, turning it into a significantly more dangerous endeavor.
Jonathan Rohloff watched in horror as his daughter slipped and fell approximately 200 feet down the steep rock face. Despite his desperate attempts to reach her, the treacherous terrain and worsening weather made it impossible. As Grace plummeted, Jonathan called out to her, desperately hoping for a sign that she could hear him. He repeatedly assured her of his presence, saying, “Grace, I’m here. I’m not going to leave you. If you can hear my voice, give me a sign. I love you.”
Following the incident, Jonathan contacted 911, prompting a rescue effort that lasted three hours. Rescue teams finally reached Grace, who had sustained severe head injuries, but she had already succumbed to her injuries. The coroner later confirmed that Grace likely died during the fall.
The Rohloffs had been eager to complete the Half Dome hike, but the clear weather they initially encountered quickly deteriorated into a severe storm. Jonathan recounted the sudden onset of the storm, describing it as a “black cloud rolling in like gangbusters,” and expressed their urgency to descend before conditions worsened further.
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During the harrowing rescue, park ranger Shawna Daly stayed with Jonathan, offering support until a helicopter could retrieve Grace. Jonathan is now hoping that park rangers will recover Grace’s backpack, which contains their final photos from the trip.
Since 2006, Grace’s death has been one of at least six fatalities linked to rainstorms that have made Half Dome’s surface dangerously slippery. In light of this tragic event, Jonathan is advocating for improved safety measures at the site. He suggests the installation of a second set of cables and additional wooden planks to enhance footing and prevent future accidents. Despite his personal vow to avoid the “unnecessarily dangerous” route in the future, Jonathan remains hopeful that changes will be made to safeguard other hikers.
