Three Latvian Climbers Die in Fall from Mount McKinley, Alaska
Three climbers from Latvia tragically died after falling on Mount McKinley, also known as Denali, in Alaska's Denali National Park and Preserve. The incident occurred near Denali Pass, a notoriously dangerous area on the West Buttress route, which is known for its challenging conditions including crevasses, steep ice, and exposed ridges. The climbers were part of a seven-member expedition. A fourth climber survived the fall and was rescued from a mountain basin at 17,200 feet. The National Park Service has transitioned the operation from a search and rescue mission to a recovery effort. The Latvian Mountaineering Association identified the deceased as Inese Puceka, Vija Olte, and Renars Kunigs-Salaks. The surviving climber, Mārtiņš Bilzēns, is in critical condition. The remaining members of the expedition, who were not injured, have returned safely to a camp on the mountain. 
