SEBASTOPOL, Calif. – Authorities say a veteran rock climber died in a fall while climbing alone in Yosemite National Park -- just hours after proposing to his girlfriend during an earlier climb.
The Santa Rosa Press Democrat says Brad Parker's girlfriend, Jainee Dial, had accepted his marriage proposal after the pair completed a climb of Cathedral Peak Saturday. Parker's father Bill says his son told him it was the happiest day of his life.
Later in the day, Brad Parker headed off by himself to climb nearby Matthes Crest.
Park Ranger Kari Cobb says the Sebastopol resident was climbing without ropes on an established route when he fell. The fall was witnessed by other climbers.
Parker appeared on the cover of California Climber magazine in 2012. He worked as a yoga instructor.
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