Three climbers who fell near a treacherous pass on North America’s tallest peak have died, a Latvian mountaineering group announced Friday.
Read more Spring whaling in Utqiagvik is off to a late start due to unusual ice conditions
Denali National Park and Preserve mountaineering rangers rescued a fourth climber Thursday afternoon, according to the National Park Service.
The four were members of a Latvian mountaineering expedition, the group said. They were part of a seven-person team traversing a route known for its exposed sections where many injuries and deaths have occurred over the years when they fell Wednesday, the Park Service said.
The fall happened near Denali Pass, at about 18,200 feet. The three others in the climbing group tended to those who fell before returning to camp, the Park Service said.
The group was on the West Buttress route, the most popular path to the 20,310-foot 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 an area known as High Camp at around 17,200 feet and Denali Pass, mainly resulting from unprotected falls, according to the park. Most of the deaths along the pass have happened while climbers are descending.
Read more Alaskans seeking Sen. Sullivan, Rep. Begich stance on Trump compensation fund get silence
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, the park has said.
Only about 1,000 to 1,200 climbers attempt to reach the top 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.
Read more Why are people attacking Ebola clinics? It revolves around trust, death and body bags