Overview

• Alex Chiu, a 41-year-old climber from Seattle, fell about 3,000 feet at Squirrel Point on Denali’s West Buttress route during peak climbing season on June 2.
• Chiu was not roped when he fell toward Peters Glacier and his two companions were unable to reach him visually or audibly.
• High winds and snowfall prevented ground and airborne teams from accessing the accident site until weather improved on June 4.
• Mount McKinley, also known as Denali, is North America’s tallest peak and sees approximately 500 climbers during its May to July season.
• Falls are the leading cause of death in Denali National Park, with at least 14 fatalities on the West Buttress route since 1980.