Woman Falls And Dies While Climbing Down Half Dome

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) -- Officials at Yosemite National Park say a 26-year-old woman fell 600 feet to her death while climbing Half Dome over the weekend.

The woman was identified Monday as Hayley LaFlamme of San Ramon.

Park spokeswoman Kari Cobb says LaFlamme was hiking with three friends Sunday when she slipped in the rain while descending the enormous granite dome. She fell on the shoulder of the dome where the cables end that help hikers navigate the final ascent.

An investigation is underway, but Cobb says rain likely played a factor by making the granite slippery.

It's the 14th fatality this year in the park, which averages between five and six by August.

Last month, three people were swept to their deaths when they entered the Merced River above the 317-foot Vernal Fall.

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