Three climbers die on Denali’s treacherous pass as rescue saves another

Three climbers from a Latvian expedition on Denali (Mount McKinley) died after a fall near Denali Pass on the West Buttress; a fourth climber was rescued via long-line helicopter and later airlifted to a hospital. The other members assisted with the rescue before their own physical conditions declined and were evacuated. Denali, at about 20,310 feet, features the Autobahn—a dangerous stretch between high camp and Denali Pass where many injuries and deaths occur, often during descent. About 516 climbers were on the mountain as of Thursday, with roughly 1,000–1,200 attempting the ascent each year.