SPRINGDALE, Utah — Zion National Park officials have identified the an who died last week in a rock climbing accident at Zion Canyon.
According to a news release, Eric Michael Klimt, 36, or Portland, Oregon, was solo climbing on the “Moonlight Buttress” route when he fell. Park officials described Moonlight Buttress as a 1,200 foot technical climbing route on the west side Zion Canyon.
The news release from Zion National Park said Klimt had a rope fixed on the upper three pitches of the climbing route when he fell.
A group of climbers who were also on Moonlight Buttress witnessed Klimt falling around 12:30 p.m. Members of that group contacted park rangers, who located Klimt’s body at the base of the route. Klimt fell an estimated 800 to 1,000 feet and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Our condolences go out to Eric’s friends and family” stated Zion National Park Superintendent Jeff Bradybaugh.
