Two Climbers on Denali, North America’s Tallest Mountain, Await Rescue Due to Hypothermia

Two climbers are awaiting rescue near the peak of North America’s tallest mountain, Denali, after reaching the summit and encountering difficulties on their descent. The climbers, who had listed experience on high-elevation international peaks, sent an SOS message to park rangers indicating they were hypothermic and unable to descend after reaching the 20,310-foot summit.

Despite efforts from park rangers and the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center, the climbers remained stranded between the 19,000- and 20,000-foot level of the mountain. One climber was suffering from severe frostbite and hypothermia at a high camp at 17,200 feet and had to be evacuated.

An experienced expedition guide provided aid to the other two climbers at the “Football Field” area, but had to descend for safety reasons when clouds moved in. Rescuers have been unable to reach the climbers due to poor weather conditions, and park service personnel are waiting for conditions to improve before making further attempts.

The climbers’ survival equipment is likely minimal, as teams often travel lighter on summit days to move faster. This dramatic rescue operation is not uncommon during the busiest time of the mountaineering season, with 506 climbers currently attempting to summit Denali. The park service is working diligently to ensure the safety of all climbers on the mountain.