Denali climber from Thursday's accident identified
The climber who died on Denali on Thursday has been identified as 38 year old Beat Niederer of Switzerland.
The climber who died on Denali on Thursday has been identified as 38 year old Beat Niederer of Switzerland.
Two remaining injured climbers were evacuated from Denali’s high camp the afternoon of Friday, May 13. Mountain Trip guide Dave Staeheli, age 56, of Wasilla and his client Lawrence Cutler, age 45, of New York, suffered from frostbite to the hands and feet after a night spent at high elevation in cold temperatures and gusty winds. Staeheli also sustained a broken rib. On Friday afternoon it was determined that the two men could not safely descend the mountain on foot, so a helicopter evacuation was initiated. Both men were individually shorthauled from high camp to the 14,200-foot camp by climbing ranger John Loomis and helicopter pilot Andy Hermansky. From there, the helicopter flew them down to the Kahiltna Basecamp for a fixed wing flight back to Talkeetna.
On the previous night, fellow teammate Jeremiah O’Sullivan, age 40, of Ireland, was rescued from 19,500-feet with a broken leg and severe frostbite to the legs, hands, and face.
Niederer died of unknown causes near 18,000 ft. His body was recovered late Thursday.
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