Overview
- A 911 text at 12:10 p.m. prompted an NPS response that arrived about an hour later, and the man was pronounced dead at 1:42 p.m.
- Bystanders performed CPR as rangers hiked through difficult terrain to reach the final rappel site.
- A companion stranded on the canyon wall was safely rescued, and the body was airlifted to the Washington County Medical Examiner.
- The National Park Service and Washington County Sheriff’s Office are investigating and have not released the cause or confirmed permit status.
- Pine Creek is a popular but technical slot with roughly 10 rappels and cold pools, and its last 100-foot free descent has seen prior incidents, according to experienced canyoneers.