Rock Climber Dies in Tragic Fall at Devils Tower: Investigation Underway

A tragic accident occurred at Wyoming’s Devils Tower on Sunday, where 21-year-old rock climber Stewart Phillip Porter from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, fell to his death while rappelling on the El Cracko Diablo route.

According to the National Park Service, the fall happened shortly before 8 p.m. as Porter descended the second pitch of the climb. Paramedics declared him dead at the scene due to the severity of his injuries.

Porter’s climbing partner was also injured and stranded but was later rescued by local climbing guides.

Devils Tower, a national monument declared by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906, rises dramatically from its surroundings, towering 1,267 feet above the Belle Fourche River.

While the cause of the fall remains under investigation, the incident marks the seventh climbing-related fatality at the site in over a century.

Doug Crossen, the Superintendent of Devils Tower, emphasized the vital role of the local climbing community in the rescue operation, as climbing rangers were off-duty for the season.

Climbers from nearby guide services responded promptly to assist.

Veteran climber Leigh Lassle reflected on the risks inherent in climbing, noting that these dangers are part of what draws many to the sport.

Safety remains paramount, and the National Park Service urges climbers to observe specific precautions, particularly during rappelling, the phase of climbing that accounts for the majority of accidents.

For those considering climbing at Devils Tower, the park service provides a list of safety guidelines, stressing the importance of monitoring weather conditions, inspecting anchors, using proper equipment, and always wearing helmets due to the frequent danger of rock falls.