Experienced hiker from Beltangady dies after falling into 100ft Lower Gorge of Smith Rock in USA
USA(DM): An experienced hiker tragically died after he tripped and fell about 100 feet while making his way down a climber’s path at Smith Rock State Park in Oregon on Saturday.
Chaitanya Sathe (36) basically from Phandije, Belthangady was on a climb in the Lower Gorge of Smith Rock State Park when he fell to the base of the climbing area around 9.40am.
His climbing partner was reportedly ahead of him and did not see the accident occur.
Two climbers responded to Sathe and found him without a pulse and not breathing.
Redmond Fire and Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the scene and pronounced him dead. Officials described him as being in his mid-30s.
The rock he was climbing was a 4th class terrain – a climb that typically requires a whole day and takes place on steeper terrain with small holds. Ropes are needed for most people climbing 4th class terrain, but it’s not clear if Sathe was roped.
The sheriff’s office said he was making his way down a climber’s path when he fell to his death, according to KPTV.
Sathe lived in Hillboro, Oregon and was an active member of Mazamas, a nonprofit mountaineering group.
‘Chaitanya’s bright light and spirit will live on in our hearts. If you have personal photos and memories of Chaitanya to share, we encourage you to do so in the comments below,’ the organization shared in a heartfelt Facebook post on Sunday.
Friends flooded the post with pictures of their climbs and hikes with Sathe across the globe.
‘He knew how to have fun!!!’ friend Alex Lockard said sharing pictures of his hikes with Sathe trekking up snowing steep mountain paths.
‘Goodbye my friend, the mountains won’t be the same without you,’ a friend named Rico Micallef said.
‘Just a few months ago while on Mt Baker you told me that life could end at any time. I will miss you and I will miss you at work – a bright light wherever you are you will live in our hearts,’ friend Anna Lio shared on Facebook.
His social media is filled with pictures of his hiking and climbing adventures.
Just earlier this month he climbed Mount Ingalls in California, which has a .5 difficulty level, with friends.
In late July he climbed Mt Constance, a third class climb, sharing photos hiking up the snowy paths and pitching tents in the hilly terrain.
