Three Latvian Climbers Die on Mount McKinley
Three climbers from Latvia died after falling on Mount McKinley in Alaska. A fourth climber from their group was badly hurt but rescued.
The four were part of a seven-person group from Latvia. They traveled to the United States to climb the mountain.
The Latvian Mountaineering Association named the three who died as Inese Pučeka, Vija Olte and Renārs Kunigs-Salaks. The rescued climber was named as Mārtiņš Bilzēns.
The fall happened near a dangerous pass on the mountain. The US National Park Service later changed the mission from rescue to recovery.
The three other team members were not hurt and were also brought down safely. Mount McKinley is also known as Denali. It is the tallest mountain in North America.
Klear Note — Mount McKinley (Denali) is North America's tallest mountain at 20,310 feet. Climbers face extreme cold, thin air, and sudden storms. Several climbers die there most years.
Key Terms 3
- Mount McKinley Alaska mountain also called Denali; tallest in North America
- Latvian Mountaineering Association Group in Latvia that supports and tracks mountain climbers
- recovery mission Search shifts from saving lives to bringing back those who died