Northridge Attorney Falls to His Death

A Northridge attorney fell to his death in Yosemite National Park while hiking down a dangerous mountain-climbing route, a park spokeswoman said Tuesday.

Carter Lee Phelps, 50, died when he fell 100-150 feet late Monday afternoon, park spokeswoman Lisa Dapprich said.

Phelps and Ronald G. Merkes, 23, of Port Hueneme had climbed 2,000 feet from the Yosemite Valley floor to the top of Royal Arches, a steep granite formation recommended only for very experienced climbers.

Phelps and Merkes began climbing Sunday and reached the top the next day. They were hiking back down Monday afternoon in rain and snow along a rugged route called the North Dome gully.

“It’s a very difficult route and the weather conditions may have also contributed to the accident,” Dapprich said.

Merkes rappelled to a ledge where Phelps landed, Dapprich said. Merkes said that Phelps appeared lifeless and that he then rappelled to the bottom to contact park rangers, she said. Rangers recovered Phelps’ body at 7 a.m. Tuesday, she said.