Rescuers in Alaska on Thursday were working to reach four climbers who fell during a climb on Mount McKinley, the tallest mountain in North America, in Denali National Park, the National Park Service said.
The condition of the fallen climbers was not immediately known on Thursday, the agency said in a news release.
Rangers received a report around midnight that four climbers from a seven-member climbing team had fallen near the area known as Denali Pass, which sits at about 18,200 feet, the National Park Service said.
After attending to their fallen partners, three members of the team returned to High Camp at 17,000 feet.
Weather conditions on the mountain were improving, which will enable helicopter operations, the National Park Service said. The agency said it was focused on rescue operations and notifying family members.
The National Weather Service said Mount McKinley received isolated snow showers on Wednesday, which, compounded with strong winds at higher elevations, could reduce visibility and cause other challenges for climbers. Wind could pick up to 35 m.p.h. at elevations of 14,000 feet on Thursday evening, but should begin to calm down through the weekend, the National Weather Service said.
In a separate overnight rescue operation, two climbers were evacuated by helicopter from the mountain about 11 p.m. on Wednesday. The conditions of those climbers were not immediately available on Thursday, and the National Park Service did not provide additional details about the operation.
Mount McKinley’s name was changed from Denali, the Alaska Native name for the mountain, by President Trump shortly after he took office last year
The agency did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
