Zion National Park Climber Killed After Fall On ‘Touchstone’

A Durango, Colorado rock climber is dead after taking a 300 Ft. fall from the face of ‘Touchstone’, a popular climbing route in Zion National Park.  James Martin Welton had recently come back from a successful climb up the famed El Capitan in Yosemite National Park and was attempting the popular Zion route with two friends when the fall occurred.

‘Touchstone’, known for it’s famed 1,000 ft. climb that usually takes two days to top out, has become a popular spot for more experienced rock climbers.  James Welton’s fall was witnessed by his two climbing partners, as well as some climbers heading up a different route nearby.  As soon as James fell, the nearby climbers flagged down a shuttle bus and had the driver phone for help.  Zion Search and Rescue, as well as the Washington County Sheriff’s department were shortly on the scene where they determined that James had already died.

Zion Search and Rescue, as well as the sheriff’s department, spent the rest of the night extracting Welton’s body from the area and investigating the fall.  This is the first death in Zion National Park this year.  Our thoughts and Prayers go out to James’ friends, family, and associates, as well as those who witnessed and worked on this tragic incident.

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