KOOTENAY NATIONAL PARK – An off-duty Calgary army reserve officer fell 150 metres to his death while ice climbing in Kootenay National Park on Boxing Day.
Maj. Dave Peabody, 48, died in a climbing accident on the Stanley Headwall. Parks Canada’s rescue team got the call about 7 p.m. on Dec. 26.
“A party of two well-prepared and experienced climbers were rappelling one of the mixed climbing routes in the area when one of them fell approximately 150 metres and was fatally injured,” said James Eastham, a spokesperson for Lake Louise, Yoho and Kootenay field unit, in an email 12 days after the fatality.
“The climbing ropes went down the route with the climber who fell, leaving the second climber stranded on the route. This climber was secured to the wall at a bolted anchor and waited for assistance."
After communicating with the stranded climber and assessing the risk, Parks Canada’s rescue team determined the safest action was to respond at first light the next day.
Eastham said a night rescue would have meant a dangerous operation in dark, cold conditions, posing significant risks to both the rescuers and the stranded individual.
“Given these risks, a daylight helicopter response was deemed the safer choice,” he said.
“The stranded climber was equipped and prepared to spend the night in the elements.”
At first light on Dec. 27, the rescue team flew in by helicopter and dropped ropes to the stranded climber, who then finished rappelling to the ground.
Once off the route, Eastham said the climber was heli-slung back to a staging area at the Stanley Glacier parking lot.
He said visitor safety specialists then recovered the body and transferred him to the B.C. Coroner.
“Parks Canada would like to extend our sincere condolences to all those impacted by this incident,” he said.
The Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) posted a tribute on social media about their fellow Patricia and serving Calgary Highlander.
“Major Peabody was a former PPCLI officer, manager of PPCLI gallery and after transferring to Calgary Highlanders director of the Military Museum,” they posted.
“Our sincerest and heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and Regimental family. Rest in peace.”
Peabody served as an infantry officer with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry after joining the Canadian Forces in 2007. He served in Afghanistan in 2011 and 2012
He became director of The Military Museums in Calgary in a civilian capacity in 2021.
