Advertisement

Climber killed in Yosemite fall after proposing to girlfriend

A rock climber killed in a fall in Yosemite said a few hours earlier when his girlfriend accepted his proposal that it was his life's "happiest day."

By Frances Burns
Yosemite National Park. (UPI Photo/Al Golub/GM)
Yosemite National Park. (UPI Photo/Al Golub/GM) | License Photo

MARIPOSA, Calif., Aug. 19 (UPI) -- A California rock climber who got engaged on top of Cathedral Peak in Yosemite was killed hours later during a solo climb, family members said.

Brad Parker, 36, died late Saturday on Matthes Crest, a rock ridge about three miles from Cathedral Peak. Rangers said he was alone and was not using ropes.

Advertisement

Rangers reached the body that evening and remained with it overnight until it could be recovered by a helicopter.

His father, Bill Parker, told the Press Democrat of Santa Rosa, Calif., that Parker proposed to Jainee Dial, his girlfriend, after they both climbed Cathedral Peak earlier in the day. She accepted.

"This is the happiest day of my life," Parker reportedly told Dial.

Parker, who grew up in Santa Rosa, Calif., was described as an experienced climber who had traveled widely. Rangers said the area where he fell is not generally considered technically difficult.

"We're all so stunned," his father said. "What happened is so unbelievable."

Latest Headlines