A Montana man, identified as 36-year-old Kyle Allen Rott, tragically lost his life while ice climbing at Grotto Falls in Hyalite Canyon near Bozeman, Montana. Rott, described as an avid ice climber, fell to his death on November 25, 2023. The incident was reported to the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office after a GPS device monitoring service detected an activation near Grotto Falls.
Upon receiving the call, dispatchers also received a 911 call from an eyewitness who witnessed the fall. Search and rescue volunteers from the sheriff’s office, along with assistance from Two Bear Air Rescue and Billings Clinic MedFlight helicopters, promptly responded to the scene at the Grotto Falls trailhead.
Five search and rescue teams were deployed to the area where Rott was located. Medical treatment was provided to Rott by the crews, and he was eventually hoisted onto a helicopter and transported to Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center. Unfortunately, Rott succumbed to his injuries and passed away at the hospital.
Coroners from the sheriff’s office determined that Rott’s death was accidental, caused by blunt force trauma to the head sustained during the ice climbing fall. Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer expressed his condolences to Rott’s family and friends in South Dakota through a heartfelt Facebook post. He also extended his gratitude to the search and rescue team members who promptly responded to the incident.
This unfortunate incident serves as a reminder of the risks involved in ice climbing and the importance of safety measures. The ice climbing community mourns the loss of a passionate climber, and Rott’s family and friends are left devastated by the tragic accident.
