Climber's body found along Blue Ridge Parkway near Sparta

By: Mooresville Tribune Staff | Journal Staff Report
Published: March 04, 2010

SPARTA

A man was killed while ice climbing on Ice Rock, an area along the Blue Ridge Parkway south of Sparta, authorities said today.

Ranger Tim Francis, the acting chief ranger for the parkway, said that maintenance crews last saw the man alive about 2 p.m. yesterday. When they returned this morning, they found his car parked in the same spot, and then they saw his body about 200 feet below the road.

Francis said that climbing ropes were set up and it appears that it was a climbing accident. The man's name has not been released.

The parkway in that area is closed because of ice and snow. Francis said that ice climbing is allowed in the area while the road is closed.

Ice Rock and is near Doughton Park. The accident happened near Milepost 240 in Alleghany County.