--- title: Yosemite National Park: 5 Times People Have Died in the Park description: The natural wonders of Yosemite National Park are so striking that it may be easy to forget that a visit to the park can turn deadly canonical: https://time.com/4961347/yosemite-national-park-death-climbing-el-capitan/ author: Julia Zorthian article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2017-09-28T18:53:16.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-02-23T17:38:53.940Z article:section: U.S. og:title: 5 Times Yosemite National Park Turned Deadly og:description: A deadly rock fall Wednesday shows the National Park's beauty can be dangerous og:url: https://time.com/4961347/yosemite-national-park-death-climbing-el-capitan/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltb4c8c4b87d437c7c/6988dfd286f68e24326e69f9/notable-yosemite-deaths-el-capitan.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: notable yosemite deaths el capitan og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: 5 Times Yosemite National Park Turned Deadly twitter:description: A deadly rock fall Wednesday shows the National Park's beauty can be dangerous twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltb4c8c4b87d437c7c/6988dfd286f68e24326e69f9/notable-yosemite-deaths-el-capitan.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # 5 Times Yosemite National Park Turned Deadly > Sponsored content. 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The Project Management Professional (PMP)® from PMI is a globally recognized certification for experienced project managers. For those newer to the field, PMI's Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® is a common starting point. Other notable certifications include those focused on agile methodologies, such as the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®, and program management certifications like the Program Management Professional (PgMP)®. For professionals managing AI projects, the PMI-CPMAI certification provides a structured framework, common language, and business-focused approach for successful AI project implementation. #### How does PMI support career growth for professionals? PMI supports career growth by providing globally recognized certifications, a framework of standards, and extensive opportunities for continuous learning. Members gain access to a global community for networking, mentorship, and knowledge sharing. The organization also produces research and thought leadership on emerging trends, helping professionals stay current with skills in areas like AI, agile practices, and strategic business management. These resources are designed to help professionals at all levels enhance their skills and advance their careers. #### What is the PMBOK® Guide? The PMBOK® Guide, or A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, is PMI’s foundational guide to generally accepted project management knowledge and practice. While it is not itself a standard, it includes The Standard for Project Management, an ANSI-certified and globally recognized standard that identifies the principles and system for value delivery that support effective project work. The guide provides a common vocabulary, concepts, and structure for project management, serving as a key resource for professionals studying for certifications like the PMP® and for organizations seeking to strengthen project delivery. #### How is AI changing project management? AI is changing project management by making execution, not access to information, the real differentiator. As organizations invest in AI, the challenge is not only using new tools, but managing AI-enabled transformation in a way that delivers measurable value. Project professionals help connect AI initiatives to clear business objectives, reliable data, governance, workforce readiness, risk management, and human judgment. 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Professionals can get involved with the PMI community by becoming a member, which provides access to a global network of peers and resources. Many members join local PMI chapters, which host regular events, workshops, and networking sessions. Online, PMI's projectmanagement.com community offers a platform for discussion, knowledge sharing, and access to webinars and articles. Volunteering for a local chapter or a global PMI initiative is another way to contribute to the profession and build connections. #### What is the difference between PMP and CAPM? The PMP (Project Management Professional)® and CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management)® are both certifications offered by PMI, but they target professionals at different career stages. The CAPM is an entry-level certification designed for individuals with little or no project experience, validating their understanding of fundamental project management knowledge and terminology. The PMP is for experienced project managers and requires a combination of formal education and years of documented project leadership experience, making it a more advanced and globally recognized certification. #### How does PMI support social impact? PMI supports social impact by helping individuals, nonprofits, NGOs, and communities use project management to turn purpose into measurable outcomes. Through the PMI Educational Foundation, PMI expands access to project management education for youth worldwide, including underserved and underrepresented populations. Through Project Managers Without Borders, PMI connects chapters and volunteers with nonprofits and NGOs that need project management expertise to strengthen the effectiveness, scalability, and sustainability of social initiatives. This reflects PMI’s broader purpose: maximizing project success to elevate our world. ### Sources * Project Management Institute | [pmi.org](/c/pmi-2026-q3/home?i=72ced1b1-a01a-4e04-8c16-4fbe3af4003a&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—Fourteenth Edition" | [pmi.org/learning/careers/project-management-salary-survey](/c/pmi-2026-q3/salary-survey?i=72ced1b1-a01a-4e04-8c16-4fbe3af4003a&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Global Project Management Talent Gap" | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/global-project-management-talent-gap](/c/pmi-2026-q3/talent-gap?i=72ced1b1-a01a-4e04-8c16-4fbe3af4003a&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Maximizing Project Success" | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/project-success](/c/pmi-2026-q3/project-success?i=72ced1b1-a01a-4e04-8c16-4fbe3af4003a&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Pulse Report 2025: Boosting Business Acumen” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/boosting-business-acumen](/c/pmi-2026-q3/business-acumen?i=72ced1b1-a01a-4e04-8c16-4fbe3af4003a&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Pulse of the Profession® 2026: Driving Success in Complex Projects” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/driving-success-in-complex-projects](/c/pmi-2026-q3/complex-projects?i=72ced1b1-a01a-4e04-8c16-4fbe3af4003a&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Step Up: Redefining the Path to Project Success with M.O.R.E.” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/path-to-project-success](/c/pmi-2026-q3/more-mindset?i=72ced1b1-a01a-4e04-8c16-4fbe3af4003a&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI Education Foundation, PMIEF 2024 Annual Report, [pmi.org PMIEF 2024 Annual Report (PDF)](/c/pmi-2026-q3/pmief-report?i=72ced1b1-a01a-4e04-8c16-4fbe3af4003a&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) ### FAQ structured data (JSON-LD, optional)  by [Julia Zorthian](https://time.com/author/julia-zorthian/)  ## Julia Zorthian Sep 28, 2017 6:53 PM UTC  The El Capitan monolith in the Yosemite National Park in California on June 4, 2015. The El Capitan monolith in the Yosemite National Park in California on June 4, 2015.MARK RALSTON—AFP/Getty Images  by [Julia Zorthian](https://time.com/author/julia-zorthian/)  ## Julia Zorthian Sep 28, 2017 6:53 PM UTC The natural wonders of Yosemite National Park are so striking that it’s possible to forget that a visit to the park can turn deadly. But [the rock fall that killed one and injured another](http://time.com/4960404/yosemite-el-capitan-rock-fall-climbing-killed/) on Wednesday is a stark example of how the park claims lives each year. Many people witnessed as the giant slab of granite cascaded off the massive monolith El Capitan near an area popular with hikers. Some deaths result from climbing accidents, while others take place when visitors take their own safety for granted. And many are just freak accidents — reminders that venturing into the wild always has dangers associated with it. > [](https://twitter.com/troycpope/status/913200070543192065) Since thousands of people visit Yosemite annually, the numerical probability of death is very low. People dying while visiting the park has been well-documented since recording began nearly 170 years ago, though. [One ecologist even wrote a whole book](http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/20/travel/escapes/20yosemite.html) about it in 2007 called _Off the Wall: Death in Yosemite_ to warn people about taking necessary precautions. Here are some of the most notable recent deaths that have taken place at Yosemite, due to a wide range of accidents. ## 2015 Renowned rock climber Dean Potter, 43, [died while BASE jumping](http://time.com/3882194/dean-potter-graham-climbing-base-jump-yosemite-tribute/) off Taft Point in 2015\. He and a fellow climber, 29-year-old Graham Hunt, were killed slamming into cliffs they failed to avoid. [A GoPro](http://nypost.com/2015/05/20/gopro-captured-final-moments-before-climbing-legends-death/) camera mounted on Potter’s helmet captured the moments before his death. ## 2014 Brad Parker, 36, fell to his death while rock climbing mere hours after his girlfriend accepted his marriage proposal in the park. After calling his father to say it was the happiest day of his life, Parker decided to climb Matthes Crest alone. The yoga instructor had completed the climb before and was on an established route without climbing equipment when [he fell 300 feet to his death](http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Yosemite-rock-climber-falls-dies-after-proposing-5698657.php). ## 2011 Three people in their twenties fell to their deaths together in the cascade of the 317-foot Vernal Fall. The group had disregarded safety fences and signs and were reportedly having fun in the area before two slipped into the water and a third tried to save them. Nearby hikers described the horrifying scene of seeing the three people swept over the ridge. The deaths taking place in a clearly-marked danger zone threw a national spotlight on the importance of [safety measures in the park.](http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/07/22/yosemite-waterfall-deaths-put-national-parks-safety-under-scrutiny/) ## 1996 The massive Yosemite Valley Landslide of 1996 killed one person and injured several more when a 200-foot-long granite chunk slid down a cliff into the Happy Isles trail, where people often hike. The impact of the [162,000 tons of rock](https://www.thefreelibrary.com/YOSEMITE+LANDSLIDE+MUCH+BIGGER+THAN+ESTIMATED-a083956573) was roughly equivalent to the strength of a [2.15-magnitude earthquake,](http://seismo.berkeley.edu/blog/1996/07/10/the-yosemite-rock-fall-of-july-10-1996.html) Witnesses said it took [nearly 45 minutes](http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Huge-Rock-Slide-in-Yosemite-1-Killed-Several-2975447.php) for the dust to settle so recovery efforts could begin. ## 1985 When lightning hit five hikers on top of the [renowned Half Dome](http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/yosemite-half-dome-lightning), [two were killed and three were injured.](https://www.upi.com/Archives/1985/07/28/A-lightning-bolt-killed-two-rock-climbers-at-the/1260491371200/) The group had been sitting on top of a cavern when the lightning struck. The National Park Service now [recounts the incident](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/lightning.htm) as reason to take lightning precautions when visiting Yosemite. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4961347/yosemite-national-park-death-climbing-el-capitan/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4961347/yosemite-national-park-death-climbing-el-capitan/"},"headline":"5 Times Yosemite National Park Turned Deadly","datePublished":"2017-09-28T18:53:16.000Z","dateModified":"2026-02-23T17:38:53.940Z","description":"A deadly rock fall Wednesday shows the National Park's beauty can be dangerous","url":"https://time.com/4961347/yosemite-national-park-death-climbing-el-capitan/","keywords":["Yosemite","onetime"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltb4c8c4b87d437c7c/6988dfd286f68e24326e69f9/notable-yosemite-deaths-el-capitan.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Julia Zorthian","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/julia-zorthian/"}],"articleSection":"U.S.","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltb4c8c4b87d437c7c/6988dfd286f68e24326e69f9/notable-yosemite-deaths-el-capitan.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"notable yosemite deaths el capitan","caption":"notable yosemite deaths el capitan","creditText":"MARK RALSTON—AFP/Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/us/","name":"U.S."}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/4961347/yosemite-national-park-death-climbing-el-capitan/","name":"5 Times Yosemite National Park Turned Deadly"}}]}] ```