Park officials have released the name of the 21-year-old climber who fell to his death while scaling Apikuni Mountain in the northeast area of Glacier National Park.
Cesar Flores, Jr., of Davie, Fla., died Tuesday after investigators believe he lost his balance near the edge of a cliff and fell roughly 1,000 feet. Flores was climbing with three others along a very steep section of mountain with cliffs and rocky terrain.
Flores was in his first year working for the park’s concessioner, Glacier Park Inc., as a cook at the Many Glacier Hotel. Apikuni Mountain is a few miles north of the hotel.
Rangers recovered Flores’ body Tuesday evening.
The Glacier County coroner confirmed the death and the body was transported to a local funeral home. The National Park Service continues to investigate the incident.
At approximately 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday, park dispatch received a report from an individual calling from the Many Glacier entrance station that a member of their climbing party fell. The climbers could not see or reach Flores, and indicated that he was not responding to any communication.
Park rangers traveled to the vicinity of the incident by helicopter while other rangers conducted aerial reconnaissance to search for Flores. At approximately 6 p.m. the body of Flores was found. A helicopter and specialized short-haul rescue team from Parks Canada assisted park rangers to recover the body.