Wednesday, April 02, 2025
36.0°F

Man who fell on Grinnell Glacier trail was avid hiker

Hungry Horse News | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 13 years, 8 months AGO
by Hungry Horse News
| July 22, 2011 9:42 AM

The Omaha, Neb., man who died July 18 on Glacier National Park's Grinnell Glacier Trail leaves behind a wife and two young children.

According to the Omaha World-Herald, Nicholas Ryan, 30, was a former strength coach of the University of Nebraska and owned Fitness Together, an Omaha health business. Ryan endured strength and endurance competitions and loved hiking trips, reporter Sam Womack wrote.

Eric Ryan said that according to Park officials, his younger brother died instantly after falling 280 feet onto a steep snowfield and rock along the trail. The Glacier County Coroner's Office will verify the cause of death, and Park officials will investigate the cause of the fall.

The Grinnell Glacier Trail is mostly flat from Many Glacier to Grinnell Lake but climbs steeply via switchbacks from there to Upper Grinnell Lake and the Grinnell Glacier. A waterfall that sprays the trail could create hazards this time of year.

Park officials posted a "snow hazard" sign at the trailhead on June 28 and travel on this trail is not advised. Much of the trail is snow-covered, and there are steep, hazardous snow bridges two miles beyond Josephine Lake. Initial clearing of the trail is not expected until the end of July.

• In other Glacier Park news, a woman was reportedly injured after falling from a horse about two miles from Lake McDonald Lodge, and a person suffered a broken leg near Red Rock Point, on the Going-to-the-Sun Road east of Avalanche Campground.

MORE IMPORTED STORIES

Man who fell on Grinnell Glacier trail was avid hiker
Hungry Horse News | Updated 13 years, 8 months ago
Man who fell on Grinnell Glacier trail was avid hiker
Whitefish Pilot | Updated 13 years, 8 months ago
Hiker killed in fall on Grinnell Glacier Trail
Hungry Horse News | Updated 13 years, 8 months ago

ARTICLES BY HUNGRY HORSE NEWS

May 13, 2011 7:57 a.m.

Canyon bike trail meeting May 16

Supporters for construction of a new bike and pedestrian trail from Coram to West Glacier will meet at the Heavens Peak Lodge and Resort, 12130 U.S. 2, in West Glacier, on Monday, May 16, at 6:30 p.m.

April 29, 2011 2:40 p.m.

Bill requires verification before issuing driver's licenses

A bill requiring the state to electronically verify that all foreign nationals are in the U.S. legally before issuing a Montana driver’s license or ID card was signed into law by Gov. Brian Schweitzer on April 18.

April 29, 2011 2:37 p.m.

Uphill skiers need to be aware of avalanches on Big Mtn.

Whitefish Mountain Resort’s post-season uphill policy expired last week, but with significant snowfall and changing weather conditions, the resort reminds skier and hikers that avalanche hazards in the ski area’s permitted boundaries do exist.