ATHENS, Ga. — A University of Georgia student died last weekend in a rock-climbing fall, an Athens climbing gym said on social media, that reportedly occurred in Alabama.
The Active Climbing gym wrote on Instagram that they were "deeply saddened" over the passing of Yutung "Faye" Zhang, "a member of our climbing community and student at UGA."
"Our thoughts are with Faye's family, friends and the University of Georgia community at this difficult time," the post continued. "We join them in mourning this profound loss and honoring the vibrancy, passion, and kindness that she brought into our lives."
Climbing Magazine reported that Zhang was an 18-year-old originally from Minnesota. The magazine spoke to Zhang's father, who said it was her second time on a climb outside.
According to Climbing Magazine, the fall was about 90 feet and happened at Sand Rock, which is about two hours northwest of Atlanta.
The outlet reported that Zhang was last up in her party to a certain point on the climb and, in the process of "cleaning" at the anchors, or repositioning the rope for the climb to progress, inadvertently positioned the rope so that it unclipped from "mussy" hooks holding things in place.
"Faye, your spirit will forever be a part of our community," the Active Climbing post stated. "Rest in peace."
