Second climber dies in Tetons this year

A climber died after falling on the Middle Teton this weekend.

Californian Justin Beldin had moved to the Victor area in June and worked in Jackson Hole. He was descending the peak with two friends on Sunday when he slippedon a ridge and fell1,000 feet.

Grand Teton National Park spokeswoman Jackie Skaggs says fly-by recognizance indicated that Beldin had died from the fall, but bad weather prevented rescuers from extracting the body until Monday afternoon.

“There was a high confidence that he had not survived the fall, and rather than risk the lives of rescuers for getting in to get someone who was already deceased, that we would put it off until the weather cleared.”

This is the second climbing death this summer in the Tetons. On July 12, Jackson resident Eric Tietzie fell to his death while climbing on Teewinote peak.

Skaggs says people climbing or hiking in the park need to be aware of their skill level and the inherent risks of recreating in the outdoors.