Ross James Wallette, a popular Kennewick photographer, videographer and climbing guide, died Aug. 18 in a fall near the peak of one of the most challenging mountains in the Cascade Range.

He was 43.

Roland Wallette said his son was accompanying a researcher to the summit of Mount Fury in North Cascades National Park when the accident happened. He said his son had previously climbed Fury.

Wallette was working with Eric Gilbertson, a well-known mountain researcher at Seattle University.

Wallette fell when he lost his hold while the crew ascended the Fury “Finger,” nearly 8,100 feet above sea level.

Rangers at the North Cascades National Park Service Complex responded by helicopter around 5:45 p.m., Katy Hooper told The Bellingham Herald. Officials estimated Wallette fell 200 to 300 feet

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