The climbing community around Montana is mourning after one of their own died in an ice climbing accident.
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The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue says they received a call from a GPS device this past Saturday. According to a local media report, a hiker in the area saw the fall. That person was able to activate the climber’s GPS to call for help.
The GPS company was able to relay additional information to search teams about the location near Grotto Falls in Hyalite Canyon. That’s in Custer Gallatin National Forest. The area is located outside Bozeman, MT, and north of Yellowstone National Park.
Search-and-rescue volunteers and two helicopters headed to the area. Once the climber was located, officials identified him as 36-year-old Kyle Rott. Additionally, according to local media reports, a few search-and-rescue volunteers happened to be ice climbing nearby and were also able to respond.
After rescuers provided medical attention, a helicopter hoisted Rott to a nearby hospital, but he later died from his injuries. According to the coroner, the injuries were sustained in a fall.
“Sheriff Dan Springer would like to express his condolences to Mr. Kyle Rott’s family in South Dakota and his friends,” wrote the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue in their post. “Sheriff Springer also thanks all the dedicated search and rescue members who responded so quickly.”
Ice climbing is often considered one of the most extreme outdoor pursuits and forms of climbing.
