Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park. On 14 June, Jay DuPont (15) was climbing with two companions. He separated himself from the party. He had expressed a desire to slide down a rock face because he felt it would be fun and easier. The face was 350 feet and nearly vertical with a talus slope below. He had been told to keep away from the face. DuPont’s body was found the following morning at the bottom of this face. The accident was not witnessed. He may have indeed tried to slide down or possibly he went to the edge to investigate and slipped.

Source: Douglas Erskine, East District, RMNP

Analysis: A small amount of good sense would have saved a life. DuPont was notorious for doing just as he felt and would not take advice from other people. He was raised in Nebraska and knew nothing of the mountains.