Grand Teton National Park National Park Service
Grand Teton National Park National Park Service
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A North Carolina man died in a climbing accident in Grand Teton National Park sometime in the past week, according to a news release from the park today.

Rangers recovered the body of Alexander Kenan, 24, of Chapel Hill, N.C., on Friday.

A commercial mountain guide and a climber on Friday morning found Kenan's body as they were rappelling down from Peak 11,840, an obstacle along the traverse between Teewinot Mountain and Mount Owen.

The guide reported the discovery to Jenny Lake Rangers at 10:15 a.m.

The Teton Interagency Contract Helicopter few two rangers to a backcountry landing zone near the summit Peak 11,840. The rangers made three rappels to the scene, conducted a preliminary investigation, and prepared Kenan's body for extraction by helicopter long line.

The helicopter flew Kenan's body to Lupine Meadows at 3:30 p.m. A Teton County deputy coroner and investigating rangers identified the body.

His body was found among rocks about 400 feet below Peak 11,840 on the peak’s southwest side. He was found with a climbing rope, helmet, and climbing gear appropriate for the terrain.

Due to the location and condition of the body, rangers believe Kenan died from a fall within the past week.

There are no known witnesses to the incident which led to Kenan’s death.

The incident is under investigation by the Jenny Lake Rangers.

They want anyone who was climbing in the Teewinot Mountain or Mount Owen area on or after Monday, Aug. 21 to call the Teton Interagency Dispatch Center at 307-739-3301 and report whether or not they saw Kenan.

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