Mount McKinley fall near Denali Pass kills three Latvian climbers

Three members of a Latvian mountaineering expedition died after a fall on Alaska’s Mount McKinley. The accident happened near Denali Pass on the continent’s highest peak, officials said. A fourth climber from the same group was rescued and taken to hospital. The National Park Service gave limited details about the victims.

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The climbers were part of a seven-person team using the West Buttress route. The park service said the fall happened on Wednesday during a traverse. This part of the route has exposed sections and a long history of serious accidents. The Latvian mountaineering group confirmed the three deaths on Friday.

Mount McKinley rescue near Denali Pass

Denali National Park and Preserve search-and-rescue staff brought the injured climber down late on Thursday afternoon. The rescue started from about 17,200 feet, or 5,240 metres. A helicopter long line was used because the aircraft could not land. The park service said the climber was later airlifted to a hospital.

The fall occurred near Denali Pass, at about 18,200 feet, or 5,550 metres. The agency said the three other teammates in the climbing group tended to those who fell. After that, they returned to a camp at about 17,000 feet, or 5,180 metres. The park service did not provide more information on injuries.

Mount McKinley West Buttress route risks

The West Buttress is the most used path to the summit. Park officials say it includes crevasses, steep ice, and exposed ridges. Many injuries and deaths have occurred on the traverse between high camp and Denali Pass. The park says most deaths along the pass happened while climbers were descending.

Rangers and mountain guides place and maintain snow pickets between high camp and Denali Pass. The park says these supports help climbers build anchors on steep slopes. The stretch is also called the Autobahn. The agency said conditions can shift from deep snow with avalanche risk to hard ice.

Climbers may add their own pickets, but conditions can make that difficult. "Climbers can put in their own pickets if needed, but you might have to bash it in through very, very dense snow and ice even,\" said climber Clint Helander. Helander said rapid weather shifts and altitude add pressure during the climb.

Helander said the mountain’s size and glaciation make the climb demanding. Helander added that teams often carry heavy loads for long expeditions. \"It is immensely easy for something to happen and turn an otherwise straightforward trip into an epic,\" Helander said. The route’s exposure means small mistakes can have serious outcomes.

Mount McKinley climbing numbers and past deaths

Park statistics show about 1,000 to 1,200 climbers try for the summit each year. Most attempts take place in May and June. The trip often lasts around 17 days. Less than half reached the summit last year, according to the park. More than 130 people have died on the mountain in park history.

The park recorded two deaths on Mount McKinley last year. In 2012, four climbers from Japan died after a shallow avalanche pushed them into a crevasse. As of Thursday, 516 climbers were on the mountain, said Scott Carr, a park service spokesperson. The park also said two unrelated climbers were evacuated by helicopter on Wednesday.

The National Park Service continues to track activity on the mountain during the busy season. The Latvian team’s fall adds to a long record of incidents near Denali Pass. Officials said difficult terrain can limit rescue options, including landing aircraft. The agency has not released further details about the three climbers who died.

With inputs from PTI