There had been recent storms and rain leading some to believe that either the foothold, or hand-hold was slick. The woman fell 600 feet after losing her grip on the cables used to assist in ascent of the rock formation. Many say these cables result in hikers not wearing adequate climbing gear. Three people recently died at Yosemite, and were never recovered, after recklessly falling into the upstream river and going over 317 feet high Vernal Falls.