Three Climbers Die on Mount McKinley; Fourth Rescued

Three members of a Latvian climbing team perished on Alaska’s Mount McKinley, while a fourth was rescued, said a Latvian mountaineering group on Friday. The climbers were part of a seven-person expedition that fell near Denali Pass on Wednesday.

Mount McKinley, North America’s tallest peak, stands 20,310 feet (6,190 meters) high. The National Park Service reported that the rescued climber was extracted from 17,200 feet (5,240 meters) using a long line from a helicopter, which was prevented from landing due to the difficult terrain. The climber later received treatment at a hospital.

The fall occurred close to Denali Pass, approximately 18,200 feet (5,550 meters) above sea level. During the rescue, three other team members assisted but began to experience declining health and were evacuated Friday.

The expedition was following the West Buttress route, the most frequented path to the summit. This route is known for its crevasses, steep ice, and exposed ridges. A significant number of accidents and fatalities on this trail occur between the high camp, located at about 17,200 feet (5,240 meters), and Denali Pass, primarily due to unprotected falls during descent.

Rangers and guides maintain snow pickets along the route to provide additional safety. This section, called the Autobahn, presents risks like deep snow avalanches and hard ice. Climbers are advised to use their own pickets if needed, though this may require effort to penetrate dense snow and ice.

Clint Helander, an experienced climber of McKinley, highlighted the mountain’s challenges, such as intense glaciation, unpredictable weather, altitude, and size. He emphasized preparedness as trips can quickly become arduous.

About 1,000 to 1,200 climbers annually attempt to summit McKinley, mainly in May and June. Completing the climb generally takes 17 days, yet fewer than half reached the top last year, according to park data. Over 130 climbers have perished on the mountain historically, with two fatalities occurring last year. For example, in 2012, a shallow avalanche caused four Japanese climbers to fall into a crevasse.

As of Thursday, 516 climbers were on McKinley, stated Scott Carr, a park spokesperson.

Unrelated to the Latvian team’s accident, two other climbers were evacuated Wednesday by helicopter, added the park service.