A respected and well-loved teacher from Washington state tragically fell to his death just two miles into a solo backpacking trip along the John Muir Trail last month, according to reports.
Harris Levinson, 61, an American studies and theater teacher at Vashon High School near Seattle, began his journey from Whitney Portal, California, on June 23, with plans to hike to Yosemite National Park, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
Harris Levinson, 61, tragically fell to his death just two miles into his long-anticipated hike along California’s John Muir Trail.
The 61-year-old seasoned hiker fell nearly 100 feet into a gully just two miles into his nearly 140-mile journey. His body was recovered by Inyo County Search and Rescue on July 12, according to SFGate.
Authorities believe Levinson may have attempted the more challenging “climber’s route” up Mount Whitney—a path considered significantly more dangerous than the main John Muir Trail.
Friends of the longtime educator said he had spent months preparing for the trek and was deeply excited to begin the adventure.
Levinson began his journey to Yosemite National Park from the summit of Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States.
“Harris was joyful, eager, friendly, and full of gratitude for his life and the chance to embark on this adventure,” wrote friend Carolyn McCarthy on a Caring Bridge page dedicated to him. “In other words, he was Harris.”
McCarthy added that Levinson “died upon impact,” and expressed gratitude in knowing “he didn’t suffer.”
On Vashon Island, Levinson was widely known as a gifted writer, theater artist, puppeteer, and occasional stand-up comedian, performing at various venues throughout the close-knit community, according to the Vashon Beachcomber.
“Everyone who encountered Harris felt his warmth, joy, and deep desire to connect,” said Steven Sterne, who performed alongside Levinson in a September production of The Hatmaker’s Wife. “Those qualities made him a wonderful actor and scene partner,” he told the outlet.
Yosemite National Park ranks as the third-deadliest national park in the United States, averaging around 11 fatalities each year, according to the National Park Service.
