Rock climber killed in fall from Devils Tower

A rock climber is reported to have died after falling from Devils Tower on Sunday.

According to a statement from the National Park Service, Devils Tower National Monument, 21-year-old Stewart Phillip Porter of Eau Claire, WI, sustained major injuries after falling from the second pitch of El Cracko Diablo.

Devils Tower Law Enforcement was informed of the accident at the Tower at around 8 p.m. and located Porter and his climbing partner approximately 40 minutes later.

A Hulett EMS paramedic pronounced him dead at the scene.

Crook County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the incident.

Porter’s partner was stranded on the Tower and later rescued with assistance from Devils Tower Lodge Climbing Guides and Buck Wild Climbing Guides.

This is only the seventh known climbing death in the century-plus history of climbing the Tower.