Climzalot Posted April 24, 2007 Share Posted April 24, 2007 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary_Yngve Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 My condolences to the friends and family of the deceased. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sk Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 Peace to family and friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kraken Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 shouldn't this be moved to the AK section? Keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slowandfat Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmncwrtr Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivan Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 descents - blah! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crackers Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 my condolences to the family and friends. my sympathy and thanks to those involved in the recovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olyclimber Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 http://www.adn.com/outdoors/story/8824681p-8725594c.html very sad, best wishes to family and friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scot'teryx Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 Very sad indeed. Our thoughts and prayers are with them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weekend_Climberz Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 I wish well to the friends and family. I hope their memories of life can console them in this moment of death. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazy_t Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 Major loss. Peace to you, and yours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minx Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian_m Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 My thoughts to her family and friends in their time of loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figger_Eight Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 This was very sad news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montanapup Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 My condolences to the family. This is very sad, sad news. RIP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sill Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 Could someone post more info or links to more specific info when it is appropriate. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisa Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 A terrible loss, your in my prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reddirt Posted April 26, 2007 Share Posted April 26, 2007 "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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EWolfe Posted April 26, 2007 Share Posted April 26, 2007 Really bad news. Condolences and comfort to those affected by this loss. Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-spotter Posted April 26, 2007 Share Posted April 26, 2007 I hope it is not a CC.commer, selfish though that may be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whirlwind Posted April 27, 2007 Share Posted April 27, 2007 sorry to hear this best wishes to the family and close friends Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne Posted April 27, 2007 Share Posted April 27, 2007 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlpineK Posted April 27, 2007 Share Posted April 27, 2007 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-spotter Posted April 27, 2007 Share Posted April 27, 2007 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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