SCARBOROUGH – A weekend climbing accident in New Hampshire’s White Mountains claimed the life of Brian Delaney, 56, of Scarborough.

According to New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game, on Saturday, July 12, Delaney fell while rope-climbing alone in North Conway on a portion of Cathedral Ledge known as the Barber Wall, situated on the upper left hand of the cliff band and accessible via a footpath from the top of the cliff across ledges to the base of the wall.

Delaney was using a technique known as “rope soloing” to protect himself from a fall as he ascended the cliff, authorities said. At approximately noon, a nearby climber witnessed Delaney complete his climb and shortly thereafter saw him fall about 65 feet from the top to the ledge where the climb begins. Nearby climbers came to his aid and called 911 for assistance.

Members of the Mountain Rescue Service and North Conway Fire and Rescue responded. Mountain Rescue Service members rigged safety lines along the ledges and guided Fire and Rescue members to the scene. Delaney was treated and packaged into a litter, but unfortunately succumbed to the injuries he sustained in the fall, authorities reported.

A preliminary investigation of the incident suggests that the fall occurred as he was preparing or attempting to descend the route. Delaney was an accomplished climber with decades of experience and was well known within the climbing community.