Seattle man dies in rock climbing accident

The body of a Seattle man was found Monday afternoon after he fell rock climbing in Okanogan County, authorities said.

Ryan Alan Murray Triplett, 31, an avid and experienced rock climber, was on a climbing trip alone in the Goat Wall area off Lost River Road, said Sheriff Frank Rogers.

Around 1 p.m. Monday, Triplett's wife called to report that her husband was late coming home.

Police and search and rescue teams were sent out and talked to some hikers who saw Triplett's car and his dog at the base of the cliff. That information helped narrow down the search location, Rogers said.

Around 2:30 p.m., Triplett's body was found at the bottom of the rock slide area. Police determined he likely fell sometime on Sunday.

It appears that Triplett was freehand climbing — using no rappelling gear — in a rocky area known as "Prime Rib," Rogers said.

"Everything indicates this was a pretty nasty fall, and he was alone," Rogers said. Triplett's dog remained nearby after it happened, he said.

The area is a popular place for rock climbing, Rogers said. While many climbers suffer injuries on the challenging terrain, Triplett's is the first death of the year, he said.

Sonia Krishnan: 206-515-5546 or skrishnan@seattletimes.com