CROOK COUNTY, WYOMING, Wyo. — An Eau Claire, Wisconsin man is dead after falling while rock climbing Sunday evening at Devils Tower National Monument. There have been less than 10 reported fatalities in over 100 years at the monument.
Stewart Phillip Porter, 21, was rock climbing with a partner when he fell, "sustaining major injuries," the National Park Service said in a press release. Officials say he died at the scene.
Officials said Porter was rappelling the second pitch of El Cracko Diablo when he fell. His partner was stranded and later rescued from the wall of the Tower.
"Over the 100 plus year climbing history at the Tower, there have only been seven climbing deaths. While climbing fatalities at Devils Tower are infrequent, it is still inherently dangerous," the National Park Service press release states.
The park sees around 500,000 visitors per year, according to the National Park Service, with climbing being a "common form of recreation at the park."
