An NPS ranger patrol responded to a request for help at 17,500 feet on Denali’s West Buttress route at approximately 1 am on June 16. An independent party of three had been descending from Denali Pass when one of the teammates collapsed due to unknown illness. By the time the initial team of two NPS mountaineering volunteers reached the scene, the climber was unresponsive. Despite emergency medical interventions, the patient never regained consciousness and was pronounced deceased.
The name of the deceased climber is being withheld until family notifications are made overseas. The climber’s remains will be recovered from the 17,200-foot high camp when weather conditions allow.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
