UPDATE!!!!
I arrived back in Jackson this morning to a SAR call-out regarding some overdue climbers on the Grand Teton.
Details are very sketchy right now, but it appears that climbers Alan Rooney and Jonathan Morrow were attempting to climb the Black Ice Couloir, a well known (but rarely ever ‘in’) ice climb on the north side of The Enclosure. The Jenny Lake Rangers spotted the bodies in Valhalla Canyon, below the north side of the Grand Teton and The Enclosure. They were evacuated by late Tuesday.
Black Ice…Visionquest…Enclosure Couloirs
For now, it is uncertain whether the climbers fell due to an avalanche or rockfall, but both climbers were still clipped to a single runner and tied together by a climbing rope. This indicates a possible anchor failure. Conditions were very warm the night prior to their climb, and a hard freeze was unlikely. Please click here for a report from the Jackson Hole News and Guide.
Please visit this website and leave your thoughts and memories of Jonathan Morrow.
My condolences to all involved…it is another sad day in the valley.
Steve –
I was camped up in Garnet on Saturday and talked to the two climbers. They camped in the Meadows and were planning on “heading over valhalla to look for ice” on Sunday. We did not hear or see of them again and assumed all was OK. Upon returning to Taggart lake TH on Mon, I ran into a NPS employee (Chris Harder) who was checking into them since they were overdue. Sounds like he initiated a SAR soon after. And today, the tragic news. My condolances.
Thanks for the insight Brian.
This shit sucks!!! 😥
hey steve thanks for keeping us informed hate to see stuff like this happening just have to spread the love to all involved we will all miss them! sad day:(
Man, sometimes I wonder why I do this shit. I feel so selfish but can’t imagine stopping. My heart goes out to their families.
Ditto. Very sad.
Jonathan Morrow is my brother. Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers. Jonathan was an amazing person who brought joy to everyone around him. He died doing what he loved the most, and I’m sure that he wouldn’t have it any other way. He accomplished so much in the short 28 years of his life. He completed the Appalachian Trail, he hiked the Continental Divide Trail, he lived in Antartica for two six month periods, He hiked and climbed all around South American and New Zealand. He was passionate about life and he lived every day to the fullest living his dreams. Jonathan will always have a special place in the hearts of all those that knew him.
Josh,
So sorry about the loss of your brother..I wish I had the chance to meet him. I don’t have any brothers, so I can only imagine the bond you must have formed which Johnathan.
I will definitely give props to both Johnathan and Alan the next time I am in my church. Stay strong Josh…and know that the JH community is here to help.
Condolensces,
Steve
Josh,
My son, Jason, met Jonathan a couple of times through
his wife, Clarissa (Long). She and Anna are very
close. Jonathan made a profound impression on Jason.
When he called on Wednesday to tell me what had happened, I could tell that it had affected him deeply.
Jason admired and respected Jonathan for what he did
with his life and I believe it made him appreciate
life more. My thoughts and prayers are with you and
your family.
Carol Marshall
Josh –
I am the wife of Alan Rooney’s father. Alan had a brother, too and he is hurting just like you are. We are so very sorry for your family’s loss. As you know, there simply are no words…..
Alan’s brother, Joe, and Alan’s father are on their way to Jackson Hole right now and they plan to attend the service tomorrow, so perhaps you will all meet. Everyone who met Alan loved him and it sounds like your brother was alot like him. No wonder they were climbing buddies. Certainly, they will both be missed by many, many people.
The service for Alan in Reno is on Tuesday, May 8 @ 1:00 PM.
You and your family are in our prayers.
Josh,
During the memorial service you mentioned a website in memory of Jonathan. What is that address?
Thank you,
Phillip
Phillip,
The website in memory of Jonathan is jonathan-morrow.memory-of.com. Please visit the website and post your memories of Jonathan. This website will remain online forever in memory of Jonathan. So far, there have been over 360 visits to the website, and many people have shared their memories and condolences. I have also created a slideshow of pictures of Jonathan in his “element” doing what he loved the best.
God bless you,
Josh Morrow