University of Michigan student dies after falling on a hike near Jackson Hole, Wyoming
A University of Michigan student died Tuesday after falling during a hiking trip in Wyoming, university officials confirmed.
Jillian Drow, 21, a U-M junior and 2007 Chelsea High School graduate, was hiking near Jackson Hole, Wyo., Tuesday when the accident occurred. She was in Wyoming studying at Camp Davis Rock Mountain Field Station, which is associated with the school’s department of geological sciences.
The hike was not affiliated with the class. A university spokesman said the details surrounding the accident aren’t yet clear.
“Based on what we know, she apparently fell during a hike in Grand Teton National Park,” U-M spokesman Rick Fitzgerald said. “She was separated from some other students on the hike when that happened. I’m not sure that anybody witnessed it. Nobody’s 100 percent sure what happened.” Drow was a former member of the U-M swimming and diving team, Fitzgerald said.
The National Park Service is investigating the incident, Fitzgerald said.
Updated story: University of Michigan student killed in hiking accident 'wanted to find the good in everybody'
Juliana Keeping is a higher education reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at julianakeeping@annarbor.com or 734-623-2528.
Comments
cp153624
Mon, Jul 26, 2010 : 4:24 p.m.
My deepest sympathy goes out to her family. From what I read she was an amazing person. I am so sorry for their loss. The so called hike that they were on in no means is a hike. It is a very serious climb given the conditions of the Middle Tetons this time of the year. Other years it would be just a strenuous hike. This year the South West couloir is choked with snow and forces some parties to retreat to the bare rocks on the east side making this a 5th class climb instead of a 3rd class hike. I talked with the group at 11:30 that morning on their way to the summit. They were excited and proud to be from the University of Michigan. Only if there was someway that I could of known.
Hmm
Thu, Jul 22, 2010 : 2:55 p.m.
RIP
CountyKate
Thu, Jul 22, 2010 : 1:12 p.m.
Thanks, Juliana. Too much tragedy out there right now, I think.
Juliana Keeping
Thu, Jul 22, 2010 : 12:19 p.m.
Here is a story from The Huffington Post about 17 Grand Teton climbers who were impacted by severe lightening storms on Wednesday around 11 a.m., following the recovery of Jillian Drow by park rangers. Drow's party reported her missing to park rangers at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Her party found her deceased around 9 p.m. Tuesday, but rangers were not able to get to her until Wednesday morning, just before a this second tragedy may have occurred. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/22/grand-teton-climbers-resc_n_655449.html
Juliana Keeping
Thu, Jul 22, 2010 : 12:12 p.m.
No, this is not the same incident and no U-M students were involved in it, according to a park spokesperson. Lightening storms hit the area around 11 a.m. Wednesday, right after park rangers recovered Drow's body. Rangers had to rescue 16 climbers who were injured by lightening, and one is still missing. It was the biggest rescue mission Grand Teton National Park since the 1950s. I'm updating this story and will have more information about Jillian Drow and the separate incident shortly.
CountyKate
Thu, Jul 22, 2010 : 12:07 p.m.
MSNBC.com is reporting 17 hikers were caught in a lightning storm in the Grand Teton National Park and one disappeared. The body has been located, but the person has not been identified to that website. I wonder if this is the same incident.
81wolverine
Thu, Jul 22, 2010 : 10:25 a.m.
My family and I were just out in Grand Tetons in May and did some hiking. There are certainly many trails with hazardous areas where someone can fall a fair distance. If you're high enough elevation you can probably still even run into some snow & ice. My deepest sympathies go out to her family.
Wolverine3660
Thu, Jul 22, 2010 : 8:48 a.m.
Very sad. RIP, Jillian Drow.
PACE
Thu, Jul 22, 2010 : 8:13 a.m.
My respects to the family