Yosemite Hiker’s Body Found

Yosemite, CA — Yosemite National Park Rangers have recovered the body of missing hiker 73 year old Kenneth Stensby of Edina, Minnesota near the base of Vernal Fall. Rangers report Stensby was fatally injured after falling from a cliff near the top of the waterfall. His body was retrieved from the bottom of the falls by Yosemite National Park Search and Rescue Ranger around 1:00 p.m. today. Ranger Kari Cobb says it appears Stensby went past the railing at the top of the falls and fell to his death.

Stensby was staying at the Ahwahnee Hotel. Rangers say he went on day hikes each day, leaving notes with the Concierge outlining his daily plan. On Sunday, The National Park Service reports that Kenneth Stansby left a note saying he was heading to the top of Vernal Fall, but failed to return. His backpack was found earlier along a railing near the peak.

Ranger Kari Cobb says Monday the park conducted a full scale search and rescue operation, including multiple ground teams, a dog team, and a California Highway Patrol (CHP) helicopter fly-over targeting the Mist Trail. She says the helicopter and ground teams spotted Stensby’s body last night around 6p.m., but because of the wet weather teams couldn’t retrieve it until today.

The Mist Trail was closed during the search and rescue operation, but it is now been reopened.