Denali sees its second death of the season

Another climber has died on Denali.   A 27 year old Belgian climber was killed in a fall while climbing the Cassin Ridge on Monday afternoon.  Joris Van Reeth was leading his partner, Sam Van Brempt, on a highly technical section of the route.  His anchor appeared to fail and he fell 100 feet., close to where his partner was waiting.  Van Brempt was not injured and after confirming his friend was deceased, he called rescue personnel.

Maureen McLaughlin, Park spokesperson, said that the 2 climbers had acclimated on the West Buttress before attempted the challenging Cassin route.  Van Brempt said that two Japanese climbers helped him lower his dead partner safely to a level just above the northeast fork of the Kahiltna Glacier.  Mountaineering rangers will evacuate both men when the weather permits.

This is the second death on Denali this season and the 4^th one on the Denali massif overall.  Two climbers died on the Ruth Glacier in an avalanche last week.