Update: Unbeknownst to me when I wrote this post, one of the climbers involved in this incident is a friend and climbing partner named Patrick Callery. He recounts the events of the day in great detail here. Indeed, Patrick had the sorrowful duty of not only lowering Ishun off the route, but then hiking 10 miles out of the area to get help.

Patrick and I have climbed together on a couple of occasions on some moderate alpine terrain. That this happened to a personal climbing partner makes the story all the more poignant. Again, my condolences to Ishun’s friends and family.

Here’s a shot I took of Patrick last season while we scaled Matthes Crest:

My condolences to friends and family. Details are sketchy, but the AP is reporting that the climber fell while ascending Obelisk Mountain in the John Muir Wilderness.

It was a party of three. One stayed with the fallen climber while the other went for help. It’s a 10-mile approach for this climb meaning the climber that went for help likely had a heartrending hike out to the trailhead to get help.

Here’s a good trip report that describes the climb and the area.

Via the AP:

FRESNO, Calif.—Authorities say a 36-year-old woman who was injured while rock climbing in the eastern Sierra died before rescuers could get to her.

The woman was climbing Obelisk Mountain in the John Muir Wilderness with two friends when she fell Sunday. One friend stayed with her, while the other went for help. Fresno County sheriff’s officials received the call at 8 p.m. and launched the search at daybreak.

Officials say the climbers weren’t equipped for the cold weather overnight.

A California Highway Patrol helicopter spotted the pair early Monday morning, but couldn’t get to them because of the rugged terrain. Sheriff’s officials had to send a ground team to hike nearly seven hours. The team is now working to recover the body and help the friend off the mountain. The woman’s name has not been released.