A well-known Yukon resident died from a fall last Thursday while hiking in the Carcross area.

On Monday afternoon, the Yukon Coroner’s Service confirmed the death of Dan Kemble, 64, of Carcross.

He had been hiking in the Pooly Canyon area with two friends.

“The three had hiked a distance in area described as ‘technically challenging’ and then separated to do some individual exploring of the area,” the Coroner’s Service said.

“The two other hikers re-grouped after about 45 minutes and went to join Mr. Kemble, who had expressed an interest in exploring the historic buildings in the Pooly Creek Canyon area.

“The friends found that Mr. Kemble had fallen into the steep walled canyon below the area where he was last known to have been.”

Carcross RCMP were notified late last Thursday night.

Kemble’s body was recovered early last Friday morning with the help of the RCMP’s search and rescue team.

Kemble originally came to the Yukon in 1973 as a Grade 11 student at the Carcross Community alternative high school.

He eventually became a strong leader in Carcross. Among his vocations was helping refurbish the SS Klondike sternwheeler in Whitehorse in the early 2000s.

Kemble was also a noted birdwatcher and wildlife enthusiast.

“Yukon Coroner’s Service extends our sincere condolences to Dan’s family, the community of Carcross and Dan’s many friends,” the Coroner’s Service said.

“We also express appreciation to the Carcross RCMP and the members who assisted with the recovery.”