Pro rock climber dies after plunging 66ft in horror climbing accident as household communicate out
Will Stanhope, 39, from Squamish, British Columbia, Canada, died on April 23, 10 days after he suffered a severe head injury in a free solo climbing accident on the Rutabaga route
Will Stanhope tragically died from his injuries(Image: Jam Press)
A professional rock climber has tragically died after plummeting 66ft down a mountain drop.
Will Stanhope sustained a serious head injury from the fall while on the trail. He had been tackling the popular Rutabaga route on the Stawamus Chief mountain in Canada.
Despite the 39-year-old climber being rushed to hospital in a stable condition, he passed away 10 days later on April 23, as reported by NeedToKnow. His family announced his death in a heartbreaking post dedicated to their son and brother. The statement reads: “It is with shattered hearts that we share the news that our beloved Will passed away yesterday.
“A severe head injury sustained after a fall on a route called Rutabaga, on the Squamish Chief was the cause.
“Will lived with a passion and courage that most of us only dream of. He had a prodigious memory and great stories.
“He was a kind and gentle man with a fantastic sense of humour. The rock was his home, and the climbing community was his family. He faced every ascent with an inspiring spirit.
“To all of you who climbed with him, followed his journey, and loved him: thank you for being part of his adventurous life.
“Your memories of Will are hugely appreciated. At some date this spring, we will organize a celebration of life in Squamish. With love and profound grief, his Dad, Mom and Sister.”
The B.C. Emergency Health Service were called to the scene around 3pm on April 13. The climber, hailing from Squamish, British Columbia, Canada, was renowned for his free solo climbing.
This method entails scaling heights without the aid of safety equipment or ropes.
Throughout his life, he was employed by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides.
It comes after one backpacker tragically lost her life after a tour guide abandoned her when she fell into a volcano in Indonesia, with one haunting photo taken of her final moments. Juliana Marins, 26, sent her mother a heartbreaking text message at the start of her South East Asian adventure.
Juliana, slipped and plummeted nearly 1,000 feet while climbing Mount Rinjani, in Lombok, on a guided hike on June 21, 2025 at around 6.30 am.
The publicist and pole dancer, originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, disappeared after falling into the crater – with her body eventually recovered following a four-day search operation.
Local police revealed Juliana had stopped to rest due to fatigue while the guide pressed on with the remainder of the group. Tragically, she was found dead upon his return.
It emerged Juliana told Estela Marins she was “fearless” and said she was determined to pursue her dreams.
In a message broadcast on Brazilian programme Fantastico, Juliana wrote: “Mami, I love you so much. I was heartbroken when we said goodbye.
“In fact, that’s the only thing that worries me: letting you, papi or my sister be disappointed. Other than that, I’m not afraid of much, much less trouble.”
