Denali National Park, AK - A Seattle man has died following a significant fall on Denali, North America's highest peak. Alex Chiu, an experienced climber, fell approximately 3,000 feet while ski mountaineering on the West Buttress route. The National Park Service (NPS) confirmed the incident, stating that it occurred within Denali National Park and Preserve.
Rangers responded to the scene after receiving reports of the fall. Initial investigations suggest Chiu was an experienced mountaineer. Ski mountaineering involves climbing mountains on skis and then skiing down, a challenging activity requiring specialized skills and equipment.
The West Buttress route is a popular, albeit demanding, path to Denali's summit. The NPS continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident. Further details will be released as they become available. This incident serves as a somber reminder of the risks associated with high-altitude mountaineering, even for experienced climbers.
Climber Dies After Fall on Denali, North America's Highest Peak
A climber from Seattle, Washington, has died after falling approximately 3,000 feet on Denali, also known as Mount McKinley, in Alaska. The incident occurred on the West Buttress route within Denali National Park and Preserve. National Park Service rangers responded to the accident. The climber, identified as Alex Chiu, was engaged in ski mountaineering at the time of the fatal fall.