In a grueling operation amid harsh winter conditions, emergency responders recovered the body of 46-year-old hiker Nathan Bayless from a precipitous 700-foot bluff at Fall Creek Falls State Park, Tennessee. 

Undertaken in extreme weather, including subzero temperatures reaching minus 13 degrees Fahrenheit, the operation presented significant challenges to the rescue teams.

The search for Bayless began at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, January 16, 2024. Members of the Piney Volunteer Fire Department (PVFD) first discovered tracks in the snow leading into the woods near the park’s north entrance.

These tracks guided the responders to a bluff line overlooking Cane Creek Gorge, an area characterized by its steep, icy slopes and deep snow cover, complicating the search and recovery efforts.

Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) utilized a helicopter outfitted with forward-looking infrared radar before locating Bayless’s body 700 feet below the bluff line. 

A specialized team of park rangers then embarked on a challenging over-hour-long trek through the snowy terrain to reach the exact location.

The recovery required intricate technical expertise, involving several rope systems for descent and ascent along the rugged terrain. 

During the mission, one rescuer was treated for mild hypothermia. 

Kim Schofinski, a spokesperson for Tennessee State Parks under the state Department of Environment and Conservation, confirmed the fatality. 

The incident is part of a larger pattern of winter storm-related emergencies across Tennessee. The state’s Department of Health has reported a total of 17 fatalities related to the ongoing winter storm this week.