YOSEMITE – Sad news out of Yosemite National Park as rangers report a climbing accident on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 25, in which a Fresno man was killed.
Cody Byers Long, 24, was climbing the Royal Arches in Yosemite when he fell more than 400 feet, according to Park Ranger Kari Cobb.
“Royal Arches is a pretty common climbing route in Yosemite above the Ahwahnee Hotel,” says Cobb.
“Cody had a climbing partner with him and there are two ways down. You can hike down through the gully or rappel down to the left of the route.” Long and his partner chose to descend by rappelling, Cobb explains, as most climbers do.
The accident took place about 3 p.m. on Sunday.
“Cody rappelled off the end of his rope and he fell 400-500 feet. His partner was at the belay station above him, called 911 and reported the fall.”
Because it was late in the day without much light left to work with, the National Park Service responded and recovered Long’s body on Monday, Jan. 26.
The investigation is still open.
