Yosemite Lawsuit

According to a story in the LA Times, a ten million dollar lawsuit by the parents of a climber killed in a rockslide may result in closing the park to all climbing.

"In its first century as a national park, Yosemite has seen 15 people killed by rock falls. Given the more than 3 million visitors each year to the valley, the park has a good safety record, said Kristi Kapetan, the assistant U.S. attorney defending the park in the Terbush suit.

"If the Terbush family prevails, it could prompt park officials to prohibit rock climbing and other dangerous sports, she said.

"I feel bad for the parents," Kapetan said. "But this would be like blaming Mother Nature. Like suing for an earthquake. We didn't do anything to cause a spontaneous rock fall." "

Ironically, the young climber came from a mountaineering family. They beleieve a leaking water tank caused the slip. I can only say that Libby, who lost her first husband in a climbing accident, feels like the park officials and climbers quoted in the article that climbing is "inherently dangerous", and that any lawsuit leading to banning climbing should be fought.

Also ironically, the suit has made allies of the often- at- odds climbers and rangers:

"Many of Yosemite's climbing regulars, often at odds with rangers, find common ground with park officials this time".

Ken Adam's ashes are doubtless in a tempest!


(Left) No Fear: Libby in 1969 on a Sierra ridge.