Two climbers die in fall on Denali

Two men died of injuries sustained in a fall on Mount McKinley Thursday, June 11^th. 

Dr. John Mislow, age 39, from Massachusetts and Dr. Andrew Swanson, age 36, from Minnesota, were roped together at the time of the fall.  The two men were climbing the West Rib Route.  Witnesses DID observe part of the fall between 16,500 feet on the Messner Couloir  and its base at 14, 500 feet.   

Skiers in the vicinity immediately responded to the scene.  Teams of National Park Service staff and volunteers immediately followed.

Many factors in the fall remain a mystery.  It is not known where the initial fall occurred and whether the team was ascending or descending.  It appears that the men must have fallen several thousand feet.  They began their climb on May 30^th and although they expressed intentions to climb via the West Rib, they had not specified their descent route.

Kris Fister, Park spokeswoman, says Mislow and Swanson were experienced mountaineers who were highly respected for their standards for safety and assisting fellow mountaineers.  The two men won the Denali Pro Award in 2000 after aiding climbing teams in distress and demonstrating sound risk assessment in climbing. 

Their bodies were recovered by the park helicopter and flown to Talkeetna Thursday evening.

This latest incident makes four deaths on the mountain so far this year.  There are less than 4 weeks left in the climbing season.  There are 1196 climbers registered to climb Denali this year.  601 have already returned home from their climbs with 302 reaching the summit.  That is 50 percent summit success rate for this season to date.