Sports writer dies while rock climbing in Yosemite

The Associated Press

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) — Officials at Yosemite National Park say a 45-year-old extreme-sports writer fell to his death rock climbing in Yosemite.

Authorities identified the victim on Thursday as Michael J. Ybarra, a freelance correspondent for the Wall Street Journal and a Los Angeles Times contributor.

Park spokeswoman Kari Cobb says Ybarra was climbing alone in the Sawtooth Ridge area on the border of the park and Mono County when he fell about 200 feet. He was reported missing by his family Sunday. A Mono County helicopter spotted his body on Tuesday. Cobb said park rescue crews retrieved the body Wednesday.

Ybarra is the second accidental fatality this year in the park. A ranger died when a tree fell onto his cabin in January. There were 14 fatalities in 2011.