1 Malaysian Climber Dead, Another Rescued Near Top of Denali

May 31st, 8:30 PM EDT

By NEWSnet Digital Team

Denali in Alaska.

MGN via John Pennell / US Army

JUNEAU, Alaska (NEWSnet/AP) — A climber from Malaysia who was stranded for three days on Denali, North America’s tallest mountain, was rescued Friday, but a partner is dead, officials said.

Personnel from Denali National Park and Preserve on Friday were able to rescue the surviving climber at 19,600 feet, where he and his partner had been stranded in a snow cave since late Tuesday, according to the park.

A third member of the team was rescued Tuesday after descending lower.

Late Thursday, the park’s high-altitude helicopter pilot was able to drop a bag with survival gear near the snow cave and saw a climber waving at him, but strong wind prevented a rescue, the park said.

Officials are still gathering information about what occurred, and the language barrier has been challenging, Ollig said.

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