The Mendocino Coast’s cliffs and bluffs are not solid rock and should be avoided by hikers, especially in winter months. These cormorants use the cliffs to shelter from the wind or nest; here they appear to be enjoying the view of nearby cliff top housing. Many of California’s cliff top homes and beaches are at risk of being destroyed by climate change, recent studies show. (Frank Hartzell via Bay City News)

MENDOCINO Co., 12/5/23 — Climate change has made Mendocino’s already dangerous cliffs even more treacherous,  recent studies show. This could have contributed to the death of a man who loved hiking on Mendocino’s south coast. Despite summer-like sunshine, California State Parks officials warn people to use increased caution while hiking beaches and cliffs as waves are bigger, tides more extreme and cliffs more unstable at this time of year.

Job Daniel Nunez-Gamino, a 23-year-old man from Point Arena, who regularly enjoyed hiking along the ocean bluffs, fell to his death on Nov. 30 off a towering cliff near the Point Arena pier, Gregory VanPatten, Public Information Officer for the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, said in an email.

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Frank Hartzell is a freelancer reporter and an occasional correspondent for The Mendocino Voice. He has published more than 10,000 news articles since his first job in Houston in 1986. He is the recipient...