Camelback Closed

[PaleoRob]

Just heard on the news this morning that Camelback is closed due to a fatality on the mountain; woman fell about 100 feet yesterday, body discovered early this AM. I guess its closed while they investigate further. Don't have any more info at the moment.

[Hoffmaster]

Why does this always happen there?

[Jeffshadows]

Why does this always happen there?

Probably the same reason all this kind of stuff always happens at Seven Falls down here...

[rushthezeppelin]

100 ft drop? I'm just guessing she messed up on the high exposure ridge near the end of Cholla?

[Jeffshadows]

Hiker falls to death on Camelback Mountain
February 6th, 2009 @ 10:12am
by Jim Cross/KTAR

The body of a young woman who fell while hiking was removed Friday morning from Camelback Mountain.

The 20-year-old woman was found dead Thursday night at the base of a cliff in the Echo Canyon area, but crews could not recover the body in darkness because of the rugged terrain and winds.

Dozens of people who hike on the Phoenix landmark were turned away Friday morning until the body could be recovered.

The woman was found dead after her family reported her missing Thursday because she had not shown up for work.

"We had our air unit and several officers on foot checking to see if we could find her," said Officer Luis Samudio. "Unfortunately, we did find her at the base of a cliff."

Samudio said the death appeared to be a tragic accident. "No foul play is suspected... We all know, people who have lived here in Arizona for a long time, that Camelback Mountain has some danger zones," he said.

Police said it appeared the woman fell about 200 feet.

[Jeffshadows]

Where's "Echo Canyon" guys?

[rushthezeppelin]

It's on the NW side of the mountain.

[Davis2001r6]

I would say Echo Canyon is the main side of the trail, would say it gets 75% off the use, with the Cholla side getting 25%. If it was dark I wouldn't think someone would venture far from the trail. I've climbed up the slickrock section a few times and a fall there could lead you to the bottom of a cliff, not really sure what other sections would though. Sad.

[djui5]

Very sad

[rushthezeppelin]

I would say Echo Canyon is the main side of the trail, would say it gets 75% off the use, with the Cholla side getting 25%. If it was dark I wouldn't think someone would venture far from the trail. I've climbed up the slickrock section a few times and a fall there could lead you to the bottom of a cliff, not really sure what other sections would though. Sad.

Ya that's where I'm thinking she must have fallen. Not really any other exposed areas near echo canyon (least not any that aren't fenced off).

[Jeffshadows]

That stinks!!

[joebartels]

I always thought Echo Canyon was by the sheer cliffs out from the trailhead. Looking at maps apparently it's the north cove. Which is the houses below the fenced-in incline section. Which would also be the slab mentioned... that may have been a rather painful tumble and not instant

http://hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=585

[azdesertfather]

Why does this always happen there?

My guess is that if Phoenix could have grown around Flatiron instead of Camelback, we'd have the same issue there. Camelback's just too easily accessible to people, including those who would be better off not mountain climbing...