STRANDED

California, Yosemite Valley

This report covers two incidents of climbers stranded on Lembert Dome. The first involved Keral Ellingsworth (22), who was spotted by an off-duty park employee. Ellingsworth was lowered to safety by park rangers.

The second incident involved David Sharp (?) and Jennifer Hathorne (?), Curry Stables employees. They were on a 5.6 route on the west face and when they reached the top, they didn’t know the walk-off route. In the dark, they headed toward the back of the dome instead of east. They sat down on the ledge and began calling for help when they realized it was too dark and too dangerous to continue. Two climbers in the area belayed them to safety. (Source: Gary Gissell, Ranger, Yosemite National Park)