You are viewing this article in the AnnArbor.com archives. For the latest breaking news and updates in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area, see MLive.com/ann-arbor
Posted on Thu, Jul 22, 2010 : 4:50 p.m.

University of Michigan student killed in hiking accident 'wanted to find the good in everybody'

By Juliana Keeping

Jillian Drow, a star athlete from Chelsea and incoming senior at the University of Michigan, had plans to join the Peace Corps after graduation. Her ultimate goal was to become a scientist, her father said.

“She just wanted to find the good in everybody,” Mark Drow said.

Drow, 21, died Tuesday following a climbing accident in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park.

Jillian-Drow.jpg

Jillian Drow, 21, died this week following a hiking accident in Grand Teton National Park near Jackson Hole, Wyo. The University of Michigan student and Chelsea resident had been taking a summer geology course in the area.

Photo courtesy of the Drow family

Drow, who was studying environmental science, was passionate about the environment, fitness, and helping others, her father said today. She had been in Wyoming to take an upper-level geology course at U-M’s Camp Davis Rock Mountain Field Station, near Jackson Hole.

Tuesday's hike wasn't affiliated with the summer class, which was due to wrap up three days after Drow apparently slipped and fell while hiking.

“On her descent, she must have slipped,” Mark Drow said. “No one witnessed this. All we know is that she was found at the bottom of a ravine.”

Drow was with a group of eight students and graduate instructors hiking on their day off. She got separated from the group, Grand Teton National Park spokeswoman Jackie Scaggs said.

Park dispatchers received a cell phone call from a member of her party at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to report Drow was missing.

Climbers from Drow’s party found her body at 9 p.m. Tuesday in the area of Garnet Canyon, Scaggs said. Her body was recovered by park rangers Wednesday morning around 11 a.m.

Drow’s party had probably hiked through four to six miles of back country to reach Garnet Canyon, a base camp area from which many climbers ascend the well-known Teton Range. She had reached the summit of the 12,798-foot Middle Teton and was descending on a steep hike an area that required no special climbing gear to traverse when she fell.

Because Drow went missing at night, rangers couldn't make it out to the area to investigate until the next morning, Scaggs said.

Drow’s death preceded a second tragedy. Just after 11 a.m. Wednesday, a severe lightning storm hit the area and injured at least 16 individuals from three climbing parties. One person is still missing, while 16 others were airlifted, the Associated Press reported. Those groups weren't affiliated with Drow’s party and weren't U-M students, Scaggs said. The rescue operation has delayed the investigation into Drow’s death, Scaggs added.

In Chelsea, friends and family say they're heartbroken by the unexpected loss.

Drow is survived by her father and mother, Debra; sisters Anna, 22, and Alaina, 18. The family has lived in Chelsea for almost two decades.

At Chelsea High School, Drow, an honors student, excelled at math and science, and was a star diver and varsity soccer player. The two-time All American diver was captain of the diving team her senior year and lettered in diving for four years.

Chelsea High Principal Julie Deppner said Drow still holds several women’s diving records.

“Teachers and administrators will remember Jillian because she was an exceptional young lady,” she said.

“This is another devastating loss for the Chelsea community and our school community,” Deppner added, referring to the June 9 death of another Chelsea High School graduate, First Lt. Joel Gentz.

Gentz, 25, died while on a rescue mission in Afghanistan’s Operating Enduring Freedom, reportedly after Taliban rockets struck the helicopter he was in.

After graduating from Chelsea, Drow attended U-M on an athletic scholarship that was close to a full ride. She was on the team through her sophomore year, but quit to pursue cycling and joined the U-M Cycling Team, her father said.

While on the women’s swimming and diving team, Drow excelled at tower diving, which is performed from a 10-meter platform.

”She was confident and fearless at that height,” her father said. “That’s part of her make-up.”

Mountain biking had become a recent passion of hers, and she worked at the family-owned Aberdeen Bike & Outdoors shop in Chelsea for years, her father said.

“She was 15 years old when she started work there, and that was her second family,” Mark Drow said. “Those folks are grieving something terrible because they were as close to my daughter as any family could get.”

Jillian Drow sought to help fellow students at U-M feel accepted after having a hard time fitting in there at first, her father said.

“She was a mentor to those in need,” Mark Drow said. “There were specific cases where Jilly would look at kids struggling with acceptance. She did a great job taking those kids under her wing.”

She grew to love U-M and the people there, her father said.

In a recent survey given to students in the College of Literature, Science and the Arts, Jillian Drow wrote of the importance of imagination.

“I’ve recently read ‘The Daydreamer.’ Although this is somewhat of a childhood book rather than adult, I love that it stresses the importance of imagination,” Drow wrote. “To me, the world of daydreaming is the only place we are in control of everything, meaning we can change, rearrange, virtually anything.”

Those who knew Drow at U-M said that statement embodied her love of life and excitement for new experiences. A statement issued by the environmental program said Drow will be remembered not only for her passion for her studies and the environment, but for her smile that radiated warmth and internal beauty.

Funeral services were set for 6 p.m. Saturday at the First United Methodist Church in Chelsea.

This story has been changed to reflect the fact Drow was descending from a 12,798-foot climb at the time of the accident.

Juliana Keeping is a higher education reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at julianakeeping@annarbor.com or 734-623-2528. Follow Juliana Keeping on Twitter

Comments

Juliana Keeping

Fri, Jul 23, 2010 : 1:02 p.m.

Jonathan, Sorry for the mistake-it has been corrected to reflect the fact Jillian was descending after reaching the 12,798-foot Middle Teton summit. She was on a steep hike in an area that did not require special climbing equipment.

Pika

Fri, Jul 23, 2010 : 1 p.m.

I'm so sorry to hear this. I teach physics at a local school and feel as though should could have easily been one of mine. I also hike and climb so this hits particularly hard. My deepest sympathy to her family.

CountyKate

Fri, Jul 23, 2010 : 9:02 a.m.

My sympathy to the family. So hard to lose such a bright and promising child. annarbor28, your opinion is, of course, relevant to you, but some of us do not mind the writer's picture accompanying the articles and I find it rude that you would insist they be removed.

Jonathon

Fri, Jul 23, 2010 : 6:49 a.m.

Very sad, especially with the deadly storm the following day. I noticed one fact that needs to be checked, Ms. Keeping: Garnet Canyon is NOT at 3,000 ft, but closer to 11,000 ft. I have been to Camp Davis in the past, and it is a very close community. All the students, graduate students, professors, and staff get to know each other well. This is obviously very tough for the family and close friends, but something else that needs to be stated is that the many other students at this camp are all grieving, and most have to continue their studies with this constantly in the back of their minds. That is tough to cope with. I am sorry for everyone who knew Jillian.

McGiver

Fri, Jul 23, 2010 : 6:07 a.m.

I can think of no greater personal tragedy than for a parent to loose a child. I grieve with you for your loss.

Soothslayer

Thu, Jul 22, 2010 : 11:07 p.m.

>Drows death preceded a second tragedy. Just after 11 a.m. Wednesday, a severe lightning storm hit the area and injured at least 16 individuals from three climbing parties. One person is still missing, while 16 others were airlifted Yowza! Sounds like God wanted people off that ridge. o_O

aareader

Thu, Jul 22, 2010 : 9:04 p.m.

So sad to read about the demise of a person of great promise. It is a loss shared by all of us.

stunhsif

Thu, Jul 22, 2010 : 5:57 p.m.

So sorry for your loss, she was obviously a great kid with her whole life ahead of her.

Kai Petainen

Thu, Jul 22, 2010 : 3:38 p.m.

=( thoughts/prayers for the family...