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Veteran rock climber killed in fall in Yosemite

By WTOP Staff

SEBASTOPOL, Calif. (AP) — A veteran Northern California rock climber died in a fall in Yosemite National Park, just hours after proposing to his girlfriend during another climb, authorities said.

Brad Parker’s girlfriend, Jainee Dial, had accepted his marriage proposal Saturday after the couple reached the top of Cathedral Peak. His father, Bill Parker, said his son told him it that was “the happiest day of his life,” the Santa Rosa Press Democrat reported Tuesday (http://bit.ly/YtQl8D ).

Later in the day, the couple separated as Brad Parker headed off by himself to climb nearby Matthes Crest, a ridge of upturned rock about 3 miles from Cathedral Peak.

Then tragedy struck. Other climbers witnessed Parker fall about 5:45 p.m., Yosemite Park Ranger Kari Cobb said. Parker, 36, went climbing alone and without ropes and fell on an established route, Cobb said.

Park rangers hiked in and located Parker’s body, remaining with it overnight before a helicopter retrieved it the next day, Cobb said.

Parker’s death was the second climbing death in Yosemite this year, the typical average annually, Cobb said.

A resident of Sebastopol, California, Parker appeared on a cover of California Climber magazine in 2012. He also worked as a yoga instructor and was an avid surfer and mountain biker. He also enjoyed backpacking and fly fishing trips in the Sierra Nevada with his father and brother, Mat.

Jerry Dodrill, 41, a longtime friend and photographer who has taken pictures of Parker on his climbs, said Tuesday that Parker has climbed Matthes Crest with relative ease on several occasions.

Dodrill said he and Parker were scheduled to climb on the High Sierra this weekend. Instead, Dodrill will be attending a memorial for his friend Saturday.

“I have no idea what happened on that climb. It blows me away about what happened,” Dodrill said. “I keep replaying what might have happened on what was supposed to be the best day of his life. I can visualize where he fell and it makes all of this even harder to accept.”

Parker’s father said he thinks fatigue from the climb up Cathedral Peak and the run his son made to Matthes Crest may have been a factor in the fall.

“We’re all so stunned,” Bill Parker said. “What happened is so unbelievable.”

Dodrill described Brad Parker as a very outgoing person who usually greeted people, even strangers, with not only a big smile, but a big hug as well.

“He could just interact in different circles very fluidly,” Dodrill said. “No matter how bad it seems things were, he always made the day seem brighter.”

About 150 people attended an impromptu vigil for Parker on Monday night in Sebastopol, Dodrill said. And the climber’s father said some family and friends planned to hike to the Cathedral Peak area Tuesday.

“It’s the only closure we’re able to get,” Bill Parker said.

___

Information from: The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, http://www.pressdemocrat.com

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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