On July 13, 2024, a hiking trip turned fatal for Grace Rohloff, a 20-year-old student from Arizona State University, as she fell to her death while descending the Half Dome cables in Yosemite National Park, California. Rohloff was hiking with her father, Jonathan Rohloff, when a sudden thunderstorm and downpour made the granite surface extremely slippery, leading to the accident.
Grace and Jonathan had successfully reached the summit of Half Dome, a feat that required them to secure one of the limited daily permits. The trail is notorious for its challenging final stretch, a 400-foot ascent aided by cables bolted into the rock. Despite warnings of possible storms, the sky was clear when the pair started their descent. However, weather conditions rapidly deteriorated as they approached the cables.
“A black cloud was rolling in like gangbusters,” Jonathan recalled. ”I was like, ‘We have got to get down now because we don’t want to be up here with any rain.’ It rolled in literally out of nowhere.” As the rain poured down, the granite turned slick.
As they were descending about three-quarters of the way down the cables, she informed her father that she was losing her footing on the rocks, leading to her fall. Jonathan tried to grab her, but she had already fallen out of reach. He believed she might have survived despite her sliding a considerable distance since the impact did not seem severe.
He waited in the cold and hail, calling out to Grace and hoping for the best. Unfortunately, when rescuers reached her hours later, she was pronounced dead, likely from head trauma sustained in the fall. Grace fell approximately 200-250 feet.
Grace Rohloff was an experienced hiker, previously tackling demanding trails like Angels Landing in Zion National Park. She was passionate about the outdoors and had a zest for life, which was evident in her academic and personal pursuits. She was studying to become a math teacher, worked part-time as a barista, and provided care for a young girl with Down syndrome.
Jonathan Rohloff has since voiced concerns over the safety of the Half Dome cables. He believes the current system, which involves wooden planks about 10 feet apart with no side railings or harnesses, is inherently dangerous, especially in wet conditions. “The granite had become worn down and felt like a slip n’ slide,” Jonathan stated. He has urged park officials to consider safety improvements, such as adding more wooden planks or installing a secondary cable system that requires hikers to use harnesses.
This incident has renewed discussions about the dangers of the Half Dome hike. Over the past two decades, at least six people have died under similar conditions. Despite these statistics, the National Park Service maintains that relatively few accidents occur, though they have not specified exact numbers. Park officials did not respond to requests for comment on Grace’s death.
Grace’s family and friends remember her as a vibrant and caring individual. Her cousin, Emily Samora, noted that Grace uniquely connected with people and made them feel special. “Grace was such a beautiful soul,” her father added. “She deserves to have her story told.”
Grace Rohloff’s legacy is of adventure, passion, and a desire to help others. Her death is a reminder of the inherent risks in outdoor activities and the need for continued vigilance and safety improvements.