The body of Michael Falvo, 19, was discovered around 1 p.m. Sunday near the 9,600-foot elevation of Mt. Shasta by a California Highway Patrol helicopter, a spokeswoman for the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office said today.

Sheriff’s officials received a report of a missing man on Mt. Shasta around 6 p.m. on Saturday, said sheriff’s spokeswoman Allison Giannini.

Due to darkness, however, search and rescue crews were was unable to begin searching for him until Sunday morning, she said.

Falvo had been participating in 11-11-11 meditation ceremonies with others at the Old Ski Bowl and was last seen at 3 p.m., Saturday.

His friends said Falvo took off his shoes and began walking up the mountain to place a rock atop Mt. Shasta, Giannini said. Mt. Shasta’s summit is at 14,171 feet.

Giannini was unable to explain why Falvo wanted to place a rock on Mt. Shasta.

“It’s a little different,” she said.

Giannini said Falvo, who was with a group of about 10 people, arrived at the Old Ski Bowl on Saturday.

Note: not my story, I just cut and pasted from the paper.

Submitted on 11/14/2011

Submitted by: carl_drake@sbcglobal.net
Reference: Redding Record Searchlight, 11/14/2011

Copyright © 2011 DarwinAwards.com

Bruce said:
Definitely Toss: Lacks Excellence
Thanks, Carl, but there's not enough here for me to assume that blatant stupidity was involved. Was this guy an experienced mountain climber, and was this particular mountain dangerous to climb? You might be surprised to learn that barefoot mountain climbing is a rather popular sport - it even has its own Facebook page. I just came across that when I Googled "Barefoot mountain climbing".

James said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
There's PLENTY to convict!! I know barefoot climbing is popular, but there are a few other things to consider. Firstly, a number of EXPERIENCED climbers have died on Mt. Shasta (it's plenty dangerous to climb); Secondly, he was at 9600 feet when he died (only the most experienced climbers who have properly prepared can climb this far without oxygen); Thirdly, he was wearing a t-shirt and sweat pants. Never mind the lack of boots, it's plain COLD at altitude, and it only gets colder at night. In the end, we have a hippy (I'll wager little or no actual climbing experience) who figured that "The Force" was sufficient to allow him to climb a 14,171 mountain with no boots and just a t-shirt...it wasn't...! Thanks, Carl!

Candi said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
I have to disagree. From what I've found out, Mt. Shasta isn't the most dangerous to climb, but getting to the top involves snow and, depending on the angle of attack, crossing a glacier. shastaguides.com shows climbers in heavy gear, using safety precautions. The site also has a page devoted just to avalanche education! Trying to climb to the top of a mountain like that in a T-shirt and bare feet is just stupid. Thanks Carl!

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