Rangers Wait Out Wind to Resume Denali Rescues

Two distressed climbers that requested a rescue on Tuesday at 1am are still on the mountain. High winds are preventing the National Park Service Rangers from reaching the men. The two Malaysian climbers, aged 36 and 47, are part of a three-climber team. The third climber was rescued Tuesday when he reached the 17,200-foot base camp.

The two remaining climbers are at 19,600 feet. They sent messages to the Rangers on Wednesday night confirming their location and requesting help. The pair have been bivying in a crude snow cave since late Tuesday night.  

The climbers indicate in their last message that the battery on their InReach device is almost completely depleted. A ground crew of Rangers and volunteers are now stationed at high camp waiting for the winds to abate. A helicopter crew also is on standby until conditions improve.