Climber, 84, Dies After 25-Foot Fall Despite Daring Rescue Effort

An 84-year-old climber has died after a fall at Devil’s Lake State Park in Wisconsin — a tragic end to what began as a routine weekend climb with friends.

Authorities say the experienced climber fell roughly 25 feet late Saturday morning on the park’s rugged West Bluff trail, one of the most challenging routes in the 10,000-acre park. Baraboo Area Fire and E.M.S. District received the emergency call around 11:30 a.m., rushing to the scene with specialized rope rescue equipment.

Assistant Fire Chief Mark Willer told reporters that medics managed to reach the man using a high-angle rope system designed for steep, hard-to-reach terrain. “Our medics made access to him,” Willer said, “but before we could get anything set up, he went pulseless.”

Despite efforts to stabilize him, the climber was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not yet been released pending family notification, according to local authorities and The New York Times.

West Bluff, known for its sweeping lake views and jagged drop-offs, is listed by park officials as a “moderate to difficult” route — a favorite among seasoned climbers seeking a challenge. The climb winds through dense woods and exposed granite cliffs, where even a brief loss of footing can prove fatal.

This was the fifth climbing emergency in Devil’s Lake this year, a number that has begun to concern local rescue teams despite their familiarity with the terrain. “Climbers are historically the safest people out there,” Willer noted, “but when something goes wrong in that kind of environment, it goes wrong fast.”

Devil’s Lake, located about 40 miles northwest of Madison, draws around 2.5 million visitors every year, making it one of the most visited state parks in the Midwest. It’s also considered a bucket-list destination for climbers nationwide thanks to its 500-foot quartzite cliffs — some formed over a billion years ago.

But those same cliffs have become the site of numerous accidents in recent years, many of them involving experienced hikers and climbers. Local guides say that while the park’s climbing culture is thriving, aging enthusiasts sometimes underestimate the physical strain and unpredictability of its routes.

“Even for someone who’s been climbing for decades, one misstep on those bluffs can change everything,” said longtime climber Eric Donnelly, who has scaled West Bluff dozens of times. “It’s heartbreaking. You can tell he loved the sport right up until the end.”

Officials have not indicated whether weather or equipment failure played a role in the fatal fall. The Baraboo Area Fire Department said it will review the rescue operation, as it does after every serious incident.

As autumn brings more visitors to Devil’s Lake to enjoy its fall colors, authorities are reminding climbers to take precautions, know their limits, and never underestimate the risks — no matter how experienced they are.