Body of experienced climber from North Bend area found after fall at Mount Garfield

SEATTLE -- The body of an experienced climber from the North Bend area was found Wednesday at Mount Garfield, where he fell to his death while climbing with a partner, the King County Sheriff's Office said.

The female partner reported the accident Monday when she was able to get out of the wilderness, and since then search and rescue crews have been working their way through the remote area that has no vehicle access to find the victim.

His body was found at about 11 a.m. Wednesday, the sheriff's office said.

The sheriff's office said the climber was in his 30s and "well-known in climbing circles."

On the Vertical World-Redmond Facebook page, the company where the climber worked identified him as Ross Halverson and issued the following statement:

"With a heavy heart, we express our sorrow at losing Ross Halverson this weekend due to a climbing accident. Ross was a Vertical World family member for many years. His loss runs deep in our lives and in the climbing community. Ross was an amazing person who brought so much passion to our climbing community through his dedication to coaching team kids, his craft at route setting, and his love of the out-doors. Please remember him and his radiant smile as we embrace each other to keep his spirit alive!"

More than 200 people left messages on the Facebook page to express their sadness and condolences to the family.

Mount Garfield is about 35 miles from Seattle and lies within the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River drainage.

The sheriff's office said the circumstances of his fall were unknown, as well as how far he fell.