Overview

• Three climbers, aged 36, 47, and 63, died while rappelling down a steep gully near North Early Winters Spire in Washington's North Cascades on May 11.
• The sole survivor, who sustained internal bleeding and a traumatic brain injury, self-extricated, hiked to his car, and drove to a payphone to call for help.
• Authorities believe the accident was caused by an anchor failure, potentially involving an old, weathered piton; investigators are working to confirm whether the anchor was pre-existing or part of the climbers' gear.
• The Snohomish County Helicopter Rescue Team assisted in recovering the bodies from the challenging terrain, and the survivor is receiving treatment at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
• The incident underscores the risks of technical climbs in remote areas and highlights the importance of redundant and reliable anchor systems.