Body of Climber in Grand Teton National Park Found And Identified

Grand Teton National Park Officials have recovered and identified  a man who went missing Sunday while climbing in the Valhalla Canyon. Don Ivie was climbing by himself and fell approximately 2,500 feet to his death.

44 year old Don Ivie of Springfield Missouri was reported missing by his wife after he failed to return Sunday evening. Heavy rain and clouds prohibited search efforts temporarily but once the skies cleared a search helicopter was deployed. The crew located Ivies body in Valhalla Canyon. It is reported that Ivie fell approximately 2,500 feet.

Don Ivie was an 18 year veteran of the Missouri Highway Patrol and part of a motorcycle unit. Grand Teton National Park Rangers stated that Ivie did not have a lot of technical climbing. He was climbing by himself on Sunday and an investigation is underway but because he was alone the circumstances leading up to his death may be known.

Valhalla Canyon and the area where Ivie was found is close to another area where tragedy struck just over a year ago. In July of 2010 a lightening storm hit 17 climbers and took the life of climber Brandon Oldenkamp. That storm lead to the largest rescue ever in Grand Teton National Park.