Rock Climber Daniel Osman Killed in Yosemite Osman Plunged 1200 Feet During a Failed Free Fall
Wednesday, November 25, 1998
Experienced rock climber Daniel Osman was killed Monday after he apparently miscalculated his rope length performing a "controlled free fall" from Bridalveil Falls in Yosemite National Park, California.
Osman was reported to have fixed 1,000 feet of static line across the indentation in the cliff below Leaning Tower and then, tethered to the line with 800 feet of dynamic rope, he jumped. The static line allegedly bowed and Osman hit the ground.
Osman reportedly has performed these jumps numerous times.
His body was found at the base of the pillar by park rangers responding to a 6:30 p.m. 911 call.
"The cause of the incident is under investigation," the park service reported yesterday. "Although a controlled free fall uses climbing equipment, it is not an activity traditionally associated with the sport of climbing." The park service at Yosemite reported it was evaluating the "appropriateness" of the activity within its boundaries.
Osman, 35, of Reno, Nevada, had reportedly made shorter jumps that day, and had jumped from the edge of the cliff.
Osman is a well-known rock climber who has appeared in the Masters of Stone video series.
This is the fifth accidental death at Yosemite this year.
Mountain Zone Staff
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