3 climbers are dead after falling on upper slopes of Mount McKinley, 1 rescued

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU/Gray News) - Three of the four climbers who fell on the upper slopes of North America’s tallest peak have died, according to an international mountaineering group.

The fourth climber was rescued and reported to be in critical condition, according to the Latvian Mountaineering Association.

The association identified the climbers who died as Inese Pučeka, Vija Olte and Renārs Kunigs-Salaks.

A response from Denali National Park officials stated that the search and rescue mission had turned into a recovery effort.

The four climbers were part of a seven-member crew on Mount McKinley and were last seen around 18,200 feet near Denali Pass, according to officials with Denali National Park and Preserve.

The mountain’s peak is 20,310 feet.

Park rangers received a report around midnight Wednesday into Thursday, park officials said.

Three members of the crew returned to High Camp, the last stop before summiting the mountain, at 17,000 feet in the hours after their teammates fell. Park officials said they came back after “attending to their fallen climbing partners.”

Mount McKinley’s typical climbing season begins in late April and continues through mid-July. A park official told The Associated Press that 516 climbers were on the mountain Thursday.

Many climbing injuries and deaths have occurred in the traverse between High Camp and Denali Pass, mainly the result of unexpected falls, according to The Associated Press.

Snow pickets, which are used to build anchors for extra protection, are installed and maintained by park rangers and mountain guides. Climbers are also encouraged to carry their own pickets in case the protection placed by rangers and guides is missing.