Wednesday, June 04, 2025
62.0°F

Indiana man identified as Mount Jackson victim

Daily Inter Lake | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 years, 9 months AGO
by Daily Inter Lake
| September 2, 2016 1:18 PM

Glacier National Park on Friday released the identity of the Portage, Indiana, man who died Tuesday after falling on Mount Jackson while hiking with his son.

Dann R. Pilibow, 56, and his 27-year-old son were descending the east face of the 10,052-foot-tall mountain when the pair fell. His son was able to self-arrest on a snowfield and survived with minor injuries.

Glacier Park spokesman Tim Rains said Pilibow fell about 80 to 100 feet.

A helicopter search by Two Bear Air Rescue was unable to locate his body until Wednesday. Minuteman Aviation, which operates helicopter tours in the park, worked with a technical rescue team and recovered the body Thursday afternoon.

The son — who has not been identified — was transported via helicopter to West Glacier and then taken by Three Rivers Ambulance to North Valley Hospital. Hospital spokeswoman Catherine Todd said she did not know the extent of the man’s injuries, but said he was discharged Thursday.

The climbing route on Jackson, one of six peaks over 10,000 feet in Glacier, varies from a Class 3 to Class 4, depending on the route and the amount of snow and ice.

The routes are considered arduous with an elevation gain of 4,800 vertical feet, high amounts of loose scree and a significant amount of exposure on narrow ledges with steep drop-offs.

Falls are one of the leading causes of death in Glacier Park.

According to “Death in Glacier National Park” by Randi Minetor, there have been 32 climbing deaths and 21 deaths from falls while hiking in Glacier’s 106-year-old history.

ARTICLES BY DAILY INTER LAKE

January 29, 2020 9:39 p.m.

No headline

The Kalispell Lakers’ annual Batter Up Bash fundraiser begins Friday at 5 p.m., with keynote speakers Jack Morris and Dan Gladden on hand.

April 29, 2018 5:55 p.m.

No headline

Climate change awards announced

Climate Smart Glacier Country announced its Climate Smart Champions during a ceremony at the Earth Day celebration April 21 in Whitefish. Awards were presented to businesses, youth and an individual who are leaders in building local solutions to climate change challenges.

January 30, 2020 9:50 p.m.

No headline

LIBBY – Libby’s Caden Williams scored 14 points and Keith Johnson poured in seven of his nine points in the final quarter to help the Loggers hold off Eureka in non-conference boys’ basketball Thursday, 49-40.