Wisconsin man dies while climbing Devils Tower National Monument

CROOK COUNTY, WYOMING, Wyo. — An Eau Claire, Wisconsin, man died Sunday evening in a climbing fall at Devils Tower National Monument. In over 100 years, fewer than 10 deaths have been reported at the monument.

Stewart Phillip Porter, 21, was climbing with a partner when he fell and “suffered serious injuries,” the National Park Service said in a news release. Officials say he died at the scene.

According to officials, Porter was rappelling down the second section of El Cracko Diablo when he fell. His partner became stuck and was later rescued from the wall of the tower.

“In the tower's more than 100-year climbing history, there have been only seven climbing fatalities. Although climbing fatalities are rare at Devils Tower, climbing is inherently dangerous,” the National Park Service said in a press release.

According to the National Park Service, the park receives about 500,000 visitors annually and climbing is a “common recreational activity in the park.”