Accident in the Ruth Gorge

[Climzalot]

This just came in from the National Park. Anyone have friends in the area?

 

Coley

_________

 

Date: April 24, 2007, 1:00 pm

For Immediate Release

 

 

Climbing Fatality in the Alaska Range

 

 

A climber died after an approximately 1,000-foot fall on Mt. Wake in Denali

National Park and Preserve on Monday, April 23. At 6:00 p.m. that evening,

the first member of a two-person climbing team was rappelling down the

Northeast Ridge of the 8,130-foot peak when the fall occurred. It is

unknown what caused the rappelling accident.

 

After realizing their partner had fallen, the second climber descended to

the body and confirmed the fatality. Assistance was then sought from

another climbing party in the vicinity. A satellite phone was used to

inform an emergency contact about the accident, who notified Denali

mountaineering staff shortly before 9:00 p.m. Later that evening, the

group returned to the victim and brought the body back to their camp in the

Ruth Gorge.

 

At 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 24, Denali mountaineering ranger John Evans

flew into the Ruth Gorge with Talkeetna Air Taxi pilot Paul Roderick.

After confirming the identity of the climber, they recovered the body and

flew back to Talkeetna. The name of the deceased climber is being withheld

pending family notification.

 

Mt. Wake is a highly technical mixed rock, snow, and ice peak located in

the Great Gorge of the Ruth Glacier. At least five other parties were

climbing in the vicinity of the Gorge during the timeframe of the accident.

Of note, a similar fatal accident occurred on the Northeast Ridge of Mt.

Wake on April 24, 1994, when two climbers died while rappelling the peak.

[Gary_Yngve]

My condolences to the friends and family of the deceased.

[sk]

Peace to family and friends.

[Kraken]

shouldn't this be moved to the AK section? Keep us posted.

[slowandfat]

Unfortunately the person killed on Mt. Wake is a Seattle resident and well known in the climbing community. Until the spouse is able to be contacted identity should be withheld. It is a tragic loss.

[rmncwrtr]

The climber has not been identified because the individual's spouse is out of the country and has not been contacted, park spokeswoman Maureen McLaughlin said. McLaughlin would only say that the climber is not from Alaska.

 

My condolances to the friends and family of the climber.

[ivan]

descents - blah!

[crackers]

my condolences to the family and friends.

my sympathy and thanks to those involved in the recovery.

[olyclimber]

http://www.adn.com/outdoors/story/8824681p-8725594c.html

 

very sad, best wishes to family and friends.

[scot'teryx]

Very sad indeed. Our thoughts and prayers are with them

[Weekend_Climberz]

I wish well to the friends and family. I hope their memories of life can console them in this moment of death.

[crazy_t]

Major loss. Peace to you, and yours.

[minx]

wish there was something to say to make it better for those who lost a loved one. peace to all of the loved ones of this climber.

[brian_m]

My thoughts to her family and friends in their time of loss.

[Figger_Eight]

This was very sad news.

[montanapup]

My condolences to the family. This is very sad, sad news. RIP.

[sill]

Could someone post more info or links to more specific info when it is appropriate. Thanks

[lisa]

A terrible loss, your in my prayers.

[reddirt]

"The climber's body was found without any ropes attached to the safety harness. All the climber's gear, including spiked boots called crampons, was intact and undamaged, except for the helmet, which was lost during the fall, said mountaineering ranger Kevin Wright."

 

5:42pm AKDT

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/ap_alaska/story/8823034p-8723939c.html

[EWolfe]

Really bad news. Condolences and comfort to those affected by this loss.

 

Erik

[G-spotter]

I hope it is not a CC.commer, selfish though that may be.

[whirlwind]

sorry to hear this best wishes to the family and close friends

[wayne]

Sorry to ask for whom the bell tolls here but have they released the name?

Very deep sorrow for those she left behind.Best wishes

[AlpineK]

I think it may be awhile before they release the name as the climbers spouse is overseas and a long way from contact.

 

It is a really sad event.

[G-spotter]

I think the authorities have been really careful not not identify the gender of the climber but it seems a lot of people either know or are assuming that it's a she?