Climber dies in fall at Joshua Tree park

A rock climber plunged to his death at Joshua Tree National Park on Dec. 15., the first climber death in the boulder-strewn desert mecca in at least five years, authorities say.

D’arcy McRae was traversing the Walk on the Wild Side route on Saddle Rock when he fell about 50 feet, says park ranger Cindy VonHalle. A rope halted McRae’s fall, but he swung into a rock injuring his head. He was taken to a hospital and died two days later. He was not wearing a helmet.

McRae, a resident of Golden, British Columbia, was on vacation with his girlfriend, who was uninjured. Park and local authorities ask climbers to wear helmets but do not require their use.

-- Charles Duhigg