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GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK — The body of a 31- year-old Salt Lake City man was found by park rangers in Grand Teton National Park Friday.
Eric Tietze was reported missing on Thursday after he separated from his climbing party, according to a news release from Grand Teton National Park. Tietze and three climbing partners had been attempting a climb of the Cathedral Traverse, which involves reaching the summit of the three, central Teton peaks: Grand Teton, Mount Owen and Teewinot Mountain, when the man went missing.
"Tietze apparently fell about 500-600 feet to his death shortly after leaving his friends," the news release states. "Tietze, a long-time Bridger-Teton National Forest employee, has worked 10 seasons on the Forest's trail crew."
Tietze had separated from the others in his group around 10:30 a.m., as they were just completing a final rappel from Teewinot Mountain, to move ahead on the route. Tietze's climbing partners continued on to the summit of Mount Owen, where they waited for Tietze, the release states.
After waiting for some time, the group decided to retrace their path and searched for Tietze until 7:30 p.m. They reported him missing when they reached the Lupine Meadows Trailhead around 10 p.m.
Park rangers climbed to the north face of the Grand Teton to search for Tietze at first light Friday and helicopters were dispatched to aid in the search effort. Tietze's body was found by rangers "between Teewinot and Mount Owen about 500 feet below an area that requires a notably challenging climbing move," the news release states.
Weather delayed the recovery, but the man's body was flown by helicopter from the mountain and turned over to the Teton County coroner's office just before 9 p.m. Friday.
