Legendary climber, 84, falls to his death in Wisconsin’s Devil’s Lake State Park despite initially surviving terrifying drop
Legendary rock climber Pete Cleveland, 84, tragically fell to his death from Wisconsin’s popular Devil’s Lake State Park.
Tributes came pouring in after it was revealed Cleveland passed away from his injuries despite surviving the initial 25ft drop on Sunday.
Baraboo Area Fire and EMS Assistant Chief Mark Willer said they received a call regarding a fallen climber at around 11.30am.
Cleveland was found on West Bluff trail, in critical condition. The rescue team attempted to use a high-angle system to recover him, but he died due to his severe injuries.
‘He lost a pulse due to injuries and he subsequently died from those injuries before the high-angle system was used,’ Willer told WKOW.
The 84-year-old’s body was recovered using the high-angle system- rope equipment used to retrieve individuals from steep slopes- where they carried him down to the entrance.
Cleveland was accompanied by a group of rock climbers at the time of his fall.
Pete Cleveland, beloved climber who passed on Sunday following a climbing accident
Cleveland tragically plummeted to his death after initially surviving the terrifying 25ft drop
Devil’s Lake State Park in Wisconsin
The 84-year-old legend is regarded as ‘one of America’s greatest climbers’ and was highly respected among the Devil’s Lake climbing community.
The winding trail he was recovered by is ranked a moderate to difficult level, according to the park’s website.
It reaches up to 400 feet in elevation and has various steep drop-offs that provide scenic views of the region.
Willer stressed the rarity of climbers needing assistance, adding the ‘climbers by the lake are very safe.’
‘I can’t commend those rock climbers enough,’ Willer said to WKOW.
A memorial post for Cleveland said he was ‘well known for his incredibly difficult, super technical first ascents in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s.’
It added that he passed away doing what he loved most, climbing on a perfect day at Devil’s Lake State Park.
‘[Cleveland was] surrounded by some of the people he loved best. He was a mentor to many including climbing veterans, youngsters and those climbing for the first time.’
‘Accomplished’ is an understatement when referring to Cleveland’s climbs. He navigated a solo route at Superpin mountain, which is the most popular, highest rated climbing routes in the area.
The memorial post shared one of Cleveland’s most notable climbs was first ascent of Son of Great Chimney in 1968, located at Devil’s Lake State Park in the Baraboo Range, Wisconsin.
‘He was a mentor to many including climbing veterans, youngsters and those climbing for the first time,’ the memorial read.
‘He was probably best known as a friendly, approachable, even chatty retired family physician who was a regular at CMC campfires and climbs. He will be dearly missed’.
Devil’s Lake State Park receives 2.5million visitors annually, the New York Times reported.
It’s a hotspot for tourists, hikers and climbers, located about 37 miles northwest of Madison, Wisconsin, with more than 1,000 climbing routes.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
