KAYMOOR, W.Va. -- KAYMOOR - A Virginia woman fell to her death Saturday as she and a partner were climbing in the New River Gorge.

Chuck Noll, acting ranger for the New River Gorge National River, said the 33-year-old woman fell approximately 50 feet at the Kaymoor Buttress. Once a coal community, Kaymoor is part of the national park and is a popular place for climbing, hiking and biking. 

Noll would not release the woman's name. Park officials are investigating how she fell.

She was climbing with a partner, and as her partner "belayed" her, she fell to the ground.

In climbing, one partner will stay on solid ground and try to exert friction on the rope attached to the climber to help maintain the climber as she moves.

After the 4:30 p.m. fall, the woman's climbing partner called 911. Emergency officials had to hike in to the spot where she fell and then drive along a winding road to get her out.

Noll said the Kaymoor Buttress is one of the Gorge's most difficult climbs, attracting experienced climbers.