Heartbreaking final post of rock climber, 30, before she fell off cliff to her death in front of friend
THE heartbreaking final post of a rock climber who fell off a cliff edge in front of her friend has been revealed.
Micah Manalese, 30, from Southern California, plunged to her death while traversing the popular Pine Creek Trail in Red Rocks Canyon, Nevada, last weekend.
Rescuers desperately scrambled to the scene of the accident in a chopper but were unable to save her.
Micah had been climbing with a pal when the tragedy occurred, which was also witnessed by a group of climbers across the canyon.
The 30-year-old’s heartbreaking final Facebook post revealed her love for rock climbing and how she only returned to the hobby after a long break.
Micah wrote on New Year’s Eve 2024: “I have been outside climbing since 2014 but in the past four years it’s been on the back-burner.
“I love sport climbing and it was special for me to reignite this passion for myself this year.
“Thank for all the belays and moments I got to spend outside. I am hungry for more.”
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department explained that they carried out two rescue missions simultaneously on the climbing route hotspot dubbed Cat in the Hat on the afternoon of January 18.
Rescue workers rushed to Micah’s aid, meanwhile other responders desperately extracted four climbers who got their rope terrifyingly stuck across the canyon.
Micah’s heartbroken family said on a fundraising page that the party of four witnessed her tragic accident from across the gorge.
The late 30-year-old’s boyfriend, Robert, also shared a heart-wrenching tribute to the climber on Instagram a mere few days after her passing.
He said: “This weekend, I lost my best friend, my partner in crime, my girlfriend. I am crushed.
“Micah was a truly special person. She was outgoing, courageous, and a blessing to anyone who had the chance to meet her.
“I will always cherish the time we spent together.
“She absolutely meant the world to me, and I wish we could have shared more of this world with each other.”
Micah’s mourning sister Michel Manalese also paid tribute to the late climber on Thursday.
She wrote on Instagram: “Last Saturday, Micah had an accident and passed away doing what she loves, rock climbing.
“She had been climbing for 10 years. It was her one of her many passions and talents in life. My family, her friends, and I have been grieving this tremendous loss.
“I miss you so much Micah. You were so talented, creative, beautiful, strong, and full of energy.
“I’m so lucky to have you as my sister.
“I wish I could hug you, tell you how much you make me proud, and how you were the best big sister I could ask for.”
The fundraiser described how Micah would often practice climbing at Sender One in Santa Ana, California.
The 30-year-old was from Carson, Southern California, and had been residing in nearby Aliso Viejo, as per her Facebook profile.
She also worked as a cashier at Wild Rivers and studied at California State University, the page said.