Tragic Death On El Capitan

Tragic news from high on El Cap this past Sunday:

An experienced climber, Mason Robison was leading the 27th pitch of the 3,000-foot granite wall at about 9 a.m., when a large rock flake holding a piece of safety gear broke loose. The rock gave way while Robison, 38, was climbing at 2,300 feet above the monolith’s base, and severed a rope that was fastening him to a belay station manned by his climbing partner. He fell past the station before a haul rope caught him and seized the fall, but the injuries were fatal.

SuperTopo has a good thread about the situation as well.

Posted In: Asides, News, Traditional Climbing
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7 Responses to Tragic Death On El Capitan

  1. zotch May 22, 2013 at 7:25 pm #

    i like how noone comments on this because noone that climbs bigwalls reads this blog. 🙂

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    • zotch May 31, 2013 at 9:00 pm #

      well its kinda true

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  2. lstefurak May 30, 2013 at 4:21 pm #

    Some more details about the Memorial Fund and an attempt on the Free Muir.
    http://madaleine.wordpress.com/2013/05/28/free-attempt-of-the-muir-help-us-raise-funds-for-mason-robison-memorial/

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  3. Laurie Goforth June 3, 2013 at 2:04 pm #

    Do you know the details about the the climber who died yesterday on El Capitan’s east wall? My sister and I witnessed the whole recovery although we were hoping it was a rescue. I would like to know the details about this person we were praying for as.far as what happened. We were amazed by the work the SAR team did!
    Thanks.

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    • Narc June 3, 2013 at 2:51 pm #

      Super Topo thread about it

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    • Narc June 3, 2013 at 2:52 pm #

      And NPS press release

      Sad story

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    • Adam December 3, 2024 at 12:36 am #

      Hi. I guess it’s been over 11 years since Mason died climbing El Capitan. I knew him as a friend, though not for long. He used to play music banjo I think and maybe dulcimer at our friend Mike’s place in Eureka Montana. This get together was every Tuesday night. Mason was a very solid man, kind and fair to everyone around him. Highly skilled in what he did. He was a stone Mason and house builder. Also had been climbing for years Glacier Park Montana South America Yosemite.Last time I saw him was just before his trip to Yosemite from Montana. He was happy and excited about the house he was finishing for him and his wife to live in. He gave me a tour of it. It was nice. I think all of his friends still miss him. I do too. Very sad for him. Adam

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