Climber falls from Devils Tower to death

Authorities say a climber has died in a fall from Devils Tower.

38-Year-old Matthew Sorenson of Gillette died Friday.

The National Park Service, which manages Devils Tower National Monument, says it was the first climbing death there since 2003.

The 867-foot tower in northeastern Wyoming is popular with climbers.

Separately, the Gillette News Record reports the Park Service has temporarily closed some climbing routes to avoid disturbing peregrine falcons during nesting season.

The Park Service says this is an annual occurrence and more than 100 other climbing routes on the tower remain open.

Monument Superintendent Tim Reid says the closures protect both birds and climbers. Falcons are known to dive at perceived threats in order to defend their nests.