Three members of a Latvian climbing expedition have perished after falling on Alaska’s Mount McKinley near a dangerous area known for multiple fatalities, officials announced Friday.
The mountaineers were part of a seven-person team from the Latvian Mountaineering Association when they fell Wednesday while crossing an area notorious for its hazardous exposed terrain where numerous accidents have previously occurred, according to the National Park Service.
Recovery of the victims’ remains has not yet been possible, park officials stated.
A fourth member of the climbing party who also fell was airlifted off the mountain and remains in critical condition, the Latvian Mountaineering Association confirmed in their announcement.
Weather conditions prevented Denali National Park and Preserve rangers from immediately reaching the accident site where the climbers had fallen.
The accident occurred close to Denali Pass, located approximately 18,200 feet above sea level on North America’s highest peak, which reaches 20,310 feet in elevation.
The remaining three climbers in the expedition provided assistance to their fallen teammates before making their way back to their base camp, park officials reported.
The team was ascending via the West Buttress route, which represents the most frequently used path to reach the summit. This route presents significant challenges including deep crevasses, steep icy terrain, and dangerous exposed ridge lines.
The mountain has claimed more than 130 lives throughout the park’s recorded history.
The section between Denali Pass and the high camp area at approximately 17,000 feet has been the site of numerous climbing accidents and fatalities over the decades, primarily due to unprotected falls, park data shows. The majority of fatal incidents along this pass occur during descent.
To enhance safety, park rangers and experienced mountain guides install and maintain snow pickets in this area, which climbers use to create anchor points for additional protection on steep terrain.
Mount McKinley attracts between 1,000 and 1,200 climbers annually, with most attempts occurring during May and June. A typical expedition requires approximately 17 days, and fewer than half of all climbers successfully reached the summit during the previous year, based on park records.
Last year’s climbing season resulted in two deaths on the mountain, both involving skiers, while rangers conducted 16 medical evacuations, according to park data.
As of Thursday, 516 climbers were currently on the mountain, according to Scott Carr, a park service spokesperson.
In a separate incident Wednesday, two additional climbers not associated with the Latvian group were also evacuated by helicopter, park officials noted.
