Angela Ha: 24-Year-Old Climber Dies After Fall at Mount Arapiles

Angela Ha, 24, died on April 27, 2026, after falling while rock climbing at the Organ Pipes section of Mount Arapiles in western Victoria. She was transported to The Alfred hospital in Melbourne, where she died at 9:40 PM. Her father Daniel and sister Michelle arrived at the hospital less than an hour later. Police are preparing a report for the coroner.

Incident Details

The incident occurred at approximately 11:30 AM on April 27. Ha was climbing a route known as Tannin in the Organ Pipes section. She sustained serious injuries and was rescued by a high-angle rescue team before being transported to hospital.

Victim Profile

Ha began climbing approximately five years ago, which became a central activity in her life. She had moved to the Blue Mountains to pursue the sport. She completed a Bachelor of Architecture at the University of New South Wales in 2023 and, after a gap year, was preparing to begin a Doctorate of Physiotherapy at the University of Sydney.

"She was preparing to begin a Doctorate of Physiotherapy at the University of Sydney."

Family and Community Response

The Ha family has raised more than $60,000 through a GoFundMe campaign to celebrate Angela Ha's life.

Mike Rockell, CEO of Climbing Victoria, stated that the climbing community was in mourning. He noted that Mount Arapiles is the busiest location for high-angle rescues in Victoria, with 33 such rescues occurring in the past 11 years. Rockell attributed the rate of serious accidents to the mountain's popularity rather than its inherent danger.

Context

Mount Arapiles has been a renowned climbing destination since the early 1960s, attracting approximately 45,000 climbers annually. A previous fatal climbing accident at the same location occurred in November 2024, involving New Zealand barrister Lee Lee Heah.

"Mount Arapiles attracts approximately 45,000 climbers annually and has been a renowned destination since the early 1960s."