A 1,900-foot-fall on Mount McKinley has killed two Washington state residents.
The two, 36-year-old Mizuki Takahashi, of Lake Forest Park, and 27-year-old Brian Massey, from North Bend, were roped together when they fell while descending the mountain, according to Denali National Park officials.
Ms. Takahashi was killed in the fall, while her partner died early this morning without regaining consciousness.
According to a park release, the two had left the 14,200-foot camp on Tuesday morning for an ascent of
the Upper West Rib route of Mount McKinley while a third team member remained in camp. Last night about 6:30 p.m. local time a mountaineering ranger patrol staged at the mountain’s 17,200-foot High
Camp witnessed the fall, which began from an elevation just below
19,000 feet near the Messner Couloir.
The roped pair fell to a point
just below High Camp, according to the release.
A rescue team comprised of the
ranger patrol and two climbing guides traversed to the team, and
confirmed that Ms. Takahashi had died. Mr. Massey was carried back to the
ranger tent for emergency medical treatment for severe injuries. He died this morning about 8:30 local time.
Cloud cover and darkness prevented a medical evacuation
overnight. The remains of the two climbers will be flown down to
Talkeetna when flying conditions permit.
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