Two found dead in separate falls while hiking and climbing at US parks this week, officials say

CNN — Officials said that two persons died after falling to their deaths while visiting US parks: a hiker in Oregon and a climber in Alaska. Denali, the highest peak in North America, is where a fallen climber’s body was found on Monday, according to rangers from Denali National Park and Preserve. An NPS news statement states that the climber was discovered by a mountaineering patrol after a worried family member phoned rangers on Sunday to report they had not heard from the climber in several days.

Through a satellite communication device, the climber, who was attempting a solo climb of Denali, had been in regular contact with relatives. The news release states that “mountaineering rangers patrolling the upper mountain quickly located the climber’s empty tent at the top of the 16,200-foot ridge.” Ranger information was obtained from the climber’s satellite device and interviews with other climbers, and on May 15, rangers concluded that the climber had last been seen traveling from the 17,200-foot plateau to Denali Pass, which is located at 18,200 feet.

Data indicated the device had not changed location since Thursday, May 16, suggesting a fall from the Denali Pass traverse took place on that day,” NPS said.

The climber was found on Denali’s West Buttress route and was confirmed decease

“Ranger patrol then secured the climber in place and returned to high camp,” the release said. “Recovery efforts will be attempted when weather conditions allow

The park service has not released the identity of the fallen climbe

“Since 1980, at least fourteen climbers have died in falls along this treacherous section of the West Buttress route, including the soloist,” the park service sai

Also this week, a hiker in Oregon died after officials say she went off-trail while hiking the Oneonta Trail in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, west of Portlan

d.d.r..”d. Portland.

peak in North America, is where a fallen climber’s body was found on Monday, according to rangers from Denali National Park and Preserve. An NPS news statement states that the climber was discovered by a mountaineering patrol after a worried