Kumar worked for Wells Fargo Bank in San Francisco, according to a family friend, Vikash Pushpraj. He leaves behind a wife who teaches at a Danville nursery school and a 10-year-old son.

A park spokeswoman said Kumar was using the cabled hand rails on his descent from the summit of the mountain when he slipped and fell 100 feet as other hikers looked on. Rain and hail had made the face of the granite slippery.

Pushpraj said Kumar loved hiking and other outdoor activities and was known for his good judgment. He said Kumar had visited Yosemite many times before.

"We were surprised, because he's usually a very careful and watchful person," Pushpraj said. "He's not a professional hiker, but he loved hiking, he loved the mountains."

Pushpraj described Kumar as a quiet, family-oriented person who had an especially close bond with his son.

Originally from India, Kumar had lived in the United States for close to 15 years, Pushpraj said.

Park rangers spent Saturday evening helping evacuate 41 other hikers from the summit and cables in the wet, stormy weather.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. E-mail thendricks@sfchronicle.com.

This article appeared on page B - 3 of the San Francisco Chronicle