3 climbers who fell near treacherous pass on Alaska’s Mount McKinley are dead, 1 rescued

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Three climbers on Alaska’s Mount McKinley who fell near a treacherous pass on North America’s tallest peak have died, a Latvian mountaineering group announced Friday.

The three were members of a Latvian mountaineering expedition, the group said. They were traversing a route known for its exposed sections where many injuries and deaths have occurred when they fell Wednesday, the National Park Service said.

Their bodies have not yet been recovered, the park service said.

A fourth climber who fell was evacuated from the mountain and in critical condition, Latvian Mountaineering Association said in a statement.

Denali National Park and Preserve rangers had to wait for the weather to clear before attempting to reach the climbers, who were in a group of seven on the mountain.

The fall happened near Denali Pass, which is about 18,200 feet (5,550 meters) above sea level. McKinley stands at about 20,310 feet (6,190 meters).

Three others in the climbing group tended to those who fell before returning to camp, the park service has said.

The group was on the West Buttress route, the most popular path to the summit. It’s known for its crevasses, steep ice and exposed ridges.

More than 130 people have died on the mountain in the history of the park.

Over the years, many climbing injuries and deaths have occurred on the traverse between Denali Pass and an area known as high camp at around 17,000 feet (5,180 meters), mainly resulting from unprotected falls, according to the park. Most of the deaths along the pass have happened while climbers are descending.

Park rangers and mountain guides install and maintain snow pickets — which are used to help build anchors for extra protection on areas like steep slopes — between the high camp and Denali Pass.

Only about 1,000 to 1,200 climbers attempt to reach the top of Mount McKinley each year, mostly during May and June. The trip usually takes about 17 days, and less than half made it to the summit last year, according to park statistics.

Last year there were two fatalities — both skiers — on the mountain while rangers evacuated 16 people, park statistics showed.

There were 516 climbers on the mountain as of Thursday, said Scott Carr, a park service spokesperson.

Two others climbers who were not with the group that fell were evacuated from the mountain by helicopter Wednesday, according to the park service.

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Seewer reported from Toledo, Ohio.