Cloudy Skies and Strong Winds Impede Rescue Mission for 2 Climbers on North America’s Highest Peak

Two climbers from Malaysia are stranded high up on Denali, North America’s tallest peak, after sending a distress signal on Tuesday. The climbers, ages 36 and 47, have been stuck in a snow cave at 19,600 feet due to exhaustion and hypothermia. A third member of their team was rescued from a lower camp and is in serious condition.

Rangers have been unable to reach the stranded climbers due to clouds and high winds, with a high-altitude helicopter pilot on standby. The climbers initially sent an SOS message early Tuesday, indicating their condition, but communication was lost for unknown reasons. They were able to send messages late Wednesday, confirming their location and requesting help as their satellite communication device was running out of battery.

This incident comes after a Japanese climber recently died on Denali, and several others have been rescued for injuries sustained on the mountain. The park, located 240 miles north of Anchorage, has seen multiple rescue operations in recent weeks.

Efforts are ongoing to reach the stranded climbers and bring them to safety. The challenging conditions on Denali make the rescue operation difficult, but rangers and rescue teams are working tirelessly to ensure the climbers’ well-being.