29-year-old Australian falls to death while hiking Sky Pilot Mountain near Squamish
The B.C. Coroners Service has released the name of the 29-year-old male who fell to his death while climbing Sky Pilot Mountain near Squamish.
On Saturday at approximately 11:30 a.m., Michael Taylor was climbing Stadium Glacier when he slipped and fell 300 metres. The Victoria resident, originally from Australia, was pronounced dead at the scene by search and rescue crews.
He was hiking with a friend and their aim was to reach the mountain’s peak of 2,000 metres. The hike is approximately three hours from the top of the Sea to Sky Gondola.
Since opening in May, the new gondola attraction has greatly increased the accessibility of the Squamish backcountry for avid outdoor enthusiasts, making it easier to reach the peak and provincial trails.
While the privately owned and operated attraction has trails of its own, it is not responsible for activity beyond its areas within provincial park lands. Hikers should not overestimate their skills and preparedness.
On July 5, 26-year-old Owen Hosford also died while hiking near the peak of Sky Pilot Mountain. He accessed the challenging backcountry area by riding the Sea to Sky Gondola.
The Sea to Sky Gondola will remain open throughout the year, with reduced hours during the winter season for backcountry snowshoeing and skiing.
Feature Image: Sky Pilot Mountain Squamish via Shutterstock
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