Three members of a Latvian climbing team have tragically lost their lives during an expedition on Mount McKinley in Alaska’s Denali National Park. The Latvian Mountaineering Association reported the accident, which also left a fourth climber critically injured.
Standing at 20,310 feet, Mount McKinley, also known by its native name Denali, is the tallest peak in North America. The accident occurred on Wednesday at approximately 18,000 feet, as per the U.S. National Park Service. This prompted a rescue operation on Thursday amid challenging, yet improving weather conditions.
The Latvian Mountaineering Association identified the victims as Inese Pučeka, Vija Olte, and Renārs Kunigs-Salaks. Mārtiņš Bilzēns was severely injured and has been hospitalized. The Park Service has not yet confirmed the fatalities or identities of the climbers.
Denali is well-known by its native name, though last year the Trump administration reinstated the name Mount McKinley, in honor of the 25th U.S. president, William McKinley, who was assassinated in 1901.
Mount McKinley’s main climbing season spans from late April to mid-July. The majority of climbers join small, guided groups, with around 90 percent attempting to conquer the West Buttress route. According to the Park Service, over 500 climbers were on the mountain at the time of the accident.
The accident involved four out of seven climbers from the expedition, with the remaining three members making it back to high camp on Wednesday night.
Denali Pass, located at 18,200 feet, lies between the high camp at 17,200 feet and the summit. It presents a steep and icy challenge, with climbers typically using fixed “pickets” spaced every 90 feet for safety. This section is one of the most perilous parts of the ascent.
John Branch is known for his feature stories on diverse subjects, including sports, climate, and politics. He is based in California.