El Cajon Mountain
Deaths on the Mountain
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With El Cajon Mountain being a very visible and accessible hike for the majority of San Diego County, it quite often is home the whirr of helicopter blades hovering over a rescue taking place. It is extremely common for beginner hikers and climbers to attempt this hike without understanding its not only difficult approach, but is extremely difficult hike back to the parking lot. In more recent years the El Capitan Preserve where El Cajon Mountain resides, has been closed in August due to extreme heat which prior to the august closer, had lead to a high number of rescues during the summer. |
With El Cajon Mountain being a very visible and accessible hike for the majority of San Diego County, it quite often is home the whirr of helicopter blades hovering over a rescue taking place. It is extremely common for beginner hikers and climbers to attempt this hike without understanding its not only difficult approach, but is extremely difficult hike back to the parking lot. In more recent years the El Capitan Preserve where El Cajon Mountain resides, has been closed in August due to extreme heat which prior to the august closer, had lead to a high number of rescues during the summer. |
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| ⚫ | Thomas Castiglia (January 2019) 55 yo hiker: A resident of Scripps Ranch and an experienced hiker. He became separated from his group after experiencing shortness of breath. After a massive search, his body was discovered at the base of a sheer cliff.https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2019/01/27/missing-hiker-50-found-dead-at-base-of-cliff/#:~:text=LAKESIDELAKESIDE%20%E2%80%94%20A%2050%2Dyear,San%20Diego%20County%20Sheriff's%20Lt. |
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Thomas Castiglia (January 2019) 55 yo hiker: The group, some of whom had apparently connected through an online meetup forum, planned to trek El Cajon Mountain via the south route, with an ultimate destination of Lunch Rock, Williams said. |
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Nathaniel Takatsuno (December 2022): A 22-year-old climber died after falling 200 feet while free soloing (climbing without protective gear) on "The Wedge" at El Cajon Mountain. He was attempting to climb the 5.9 pitch route known as "Leonids"https://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/13201216614 |
Nathaniel Takatsuno (December 2022): A 22-year-old climber died after falling 200 feet while free soloing (climbing without protective gear) on "The Wedge" at El Cajon Mountain. He was attempting to climb the 5.9 pitch route known as "Leonids"https://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/13201216614 |
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