Major rockfall event on Leaning Tower descent (Yosemite)

I was made aware of a severe rock fall event inside the descent chimney that occurred on 19 June 2023. Please exercise extreme caution if planning to climb the Leaning Tower as there is now major instability within the chimney, and clear damage to the fixed rap line. I don't have any additional information to share about the event itself, but others should know about the increased risk.

 I  saw rescue helicopter in El Cap Meadow and SAR team on June 19. Today at the entrance  gate I'we been told  about climbing accident  on June 19  near  Bridawiel waterfall  -  climbing rope was cut and climber died. I guess it can  be related to  above mentioned rock fall

Does anyone have more info on this?  I recently learned of an acquaintance that passed away in an incident in Yosemite around the same time but I haven’t read anything about it.

I also recently learned about the death of a friend that occurred in Yosemite. I climbed with him on multiple occasions in Yosemite. Saw him and talked with him at the gym probably several days before he passed. 

I can't find any other info about the circumstances surrounding his death. Major rockfall in Leaning Tower Chimney seems like wrong place, wrong time. Who knows though. Shit sucks.

Fixed rap lines in Leaning Tower Chimney? I've done those raps and never saw fixed rap lines. Never heard of them either. 

Quin TCM wrote:

Fixed rap lines in Leaning Tower Chimney? I've done those raps and never saw fixed rap lines. Never heard of them either. 

I thought this too, but I think they just mean the fixed anchors including bolted stations but not necessarily meaning fixed ropes.

Bent hangers and smashed bolts. 

Rap line was damaged in the event, best to use your own ropes or replace the rap line. Lots of loose rock in that descent. Highly recommend utilizing radios and keeping a satellite communication device (e.g. Garmin in reach) handy as cell service is poor in the event of an emergency.

Alex Fletcher wrote:

I thought this too, but I think they just mean the fixed anchors including bolted stations but not necessarily meaning fixed ropes.

Bent hangers and smashed bolts. 

There is a single fixed line. Damaged now. Not sure if it has been removed since the event. 

Thank you for sharing. Hope you are doing better after the event.

Eric G wrote:

I was involved. Rap line was damaged in the event, best to use your own ropes or replace the rap line. Lots of loose rock in that descent. Highly recommend utilizing radios and keeping a satellite communication device (e.g. Garmin in reach) handy as cell service is poor in the event of an emergency. Please be safe and look out for your fellow climbers. That being said, sometimes acts of nature are impossible to predict or avoid.
Please be compassionate to your fellow climbers. 

We’re you climbing with Marc?

Sorry to hear this. There was a fixed line when we were there earlier this spring but we did not use it.

Having made the descent now, I'd recommend bringing an extra backpack in addition to the haul bag so both climbers can rap with a manageable bag on their back. I hung the haul bag off my harness for the steeper raps, which required caution when moving it across the ledges so as not to dislodge any rocks. 

Hope you are doing all right in this difficult time, Eric.