Former Chronicle writer dies in climbing accident

Clinton McHugh, a 2002 Duke graduate, died last Tuesday in a climbing accident in Colorado.

During his time at Duke, McHugh was a member of the varsity swimming team and covered sports for The Chronicle. Here is a part of the story from The Denver Post:

Clinton S. McHugh, of Greenwood Village, died Tuesday, according to the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office, in a fall down the westside of Sawtooth Ridge.

McHugh had beenhiking Sawtooth, a ridge-top trail that connects Mount Bierstadt and Mount Evans, two popular Front Range peaks rising above 14,000 feet, when the accident occurred.

According to McHugh's LinkedIn profile, he had just moved to Colorado in the past few months after working in Chicago for the Regional Transportation Authority who called him "a dedicated legal professional, husband and son" in a statement.

He graduated from Duke University in 2002, where he was a varsity swimmer and sports columnist for the student newspaper.

McHugh then went on to earn his law degree from the University of Virginia. He was also working toward his master's degree in public policy and administration.

McHugh had called his wife Tuesday around noon from the summit of Mount Bierstadt, said Paul "Woody" Woodward, spokesman for the Alpine Rescue Team.

He then hiked Sawtooth with a group of people who were taking the ridgeline trail to Mount Evans. McHugh headed back, alone, on Sawtooth and fell, likely sometime on Tuesday afternoon, Woodward said.

For the entire article, head over to The Denver Post.

For archives on some of his articles, go to The Chronicle's main page.