Climber falls to death in Many Glacier area

A 21-year-old Glacier Park Inc., employee fell 1,000 feet to his death July 9 while climbing Apikuni Mountain in the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park.

The man has been identified as Cesar Flores Jr., of Davie, Fla. This was his first year working for GPI. Flores was a cook at the Many Glacier Hotel.

It is believed Flores lost his balance near a cliff edge and fell. An investigation is underway. The area in which the fall took place is very steep, with cliffs and rocky terrain, park officials note.

A helicopter and specialized short-haul rescue team from Parks Canada assisted park rangers to recover Flores’ body.

Apikuni Mountain, at 9,053 feet in elevation, is located a few miles north of the Many Glacier hotel. Terrain on the mountain is mostly Class 3 scree and talus, but climbers choosing to descend by way of Apikuni Falls are warned about the cliff band on Apikuni Mountain’s south face.