Solo climber found dead after fall from Denali, highest mountain peak in North America

On Monday, a solo climber was discovered deceased on Denali, the highest peak in North America.

According to a statement from Denali National Park and Preserve, mountaineering rangers located the climber at an elevation of 17,000 feet along the mountain’s West Buttress route. Concern arose when a family member, who had been regularly communicating with the climber via an InReach device, reported not hearing from them for several days.

Upon investigation, rangers found the climber’s empty tent positioned atop the 16,200-foot ridge. Interviews with other climbers revealed that the last sighting of the individual occurred as they traversed from the 17,200-foot plateau to Denali Pass at 18,200 feet on May 15.

Utilizing satellite location data collected by rangers, the probable location of the climber was pinpointed at 17,000 feet, with no updates since May 16, indicating a potential fall from Denali Pass on that date.

Subsequent to a break in the weather on the upper mountain, a mountaineering patrol at the 17,200-foot camp confirmed the climber’s demise on Monday. The body was secured at the location and will be recovered when weather conditions permit, as stated by the park.

The identity of the climber will be disclosed once family notification has been completed.

Denali National Park and Preserve is situated in Denali Park, Alaska, approximately 230 miles north of Anchorage. In 2023, the park welcomed just under 500,000 visitors.

Denali, also known as Mount McKinley, stands at a height of 20,310 feet, making it the tallest peak in North America.

The climbing season on Denali typically spans from early May to early July. Presently, there are 352 climbers on the West Buttress route, though most are situated at lower elevations. Since 1980, at least 14 climbers have tragically perished in falls along this route, including the recent incident.