Another hiker on the trail emailed me to say that he was quite sick before he fell. Possibly even threw up just before. The thinking is that in his weakened, dizzy and maybe disoriented state, he mis-stepped, or misjudged the edge, and fell over the edge. The spot, if I understand correctly, was maybe a hundred yards before the base of Mt Muir (closer to the MMWT/JMT junction).
I am sure we all offer our condolences to the Kato family.
I can appreciate that you got decent gouge Steve, but really, it's all speculation.
It's a sad thing to die in the back country yet I think it's sad when people die crossing the street.
I don't think poking fun at the cellphone suggestion was intended to show disrespect. I know I meant no disrespect, but I'm the kinda guy who laughs at a funeral an treats it as a celebration of life. I hope there is one heck of a party at my funeral..................................DUG
