Key Point Summary – Climber falls 3000 feet

• Alex Chiu, 41, fell over 3,000 feet from Mount McKinley.
• He plunged from Squirrel Point on the West Buttress route.
• Rescue teams were delayed due to high winds and snow.
• Rangers recovered his body two days later via helicopter.
• An investigation into the fall is still underway.

Brutal Fall Ends Mountaineer’s Ascent

A Seattle man plummeted to his death off the tallest mountain in North America, falling more than 3,000 feet while on a challenging climbing route. His body was recovered days later after search crews finally reached the area.

The victim, 41-year-old Alex Chiu, was part of a ski mountaineering team ascending the West Buttress route of Mount McKinley — also known as Denali — in Alaska’s Denali National Park.

Witnesses Saw Him Vanish Over the Edge

According to the National Park Service, Chiu was not roped in when he fell at Squirrel Point, a notoriously dangerous stretch leading down to Peters Glacier. The area is filled with rocky ledges and ice blocks known as seracs.

The two other climbers in his group witnessed the fall. They attempted to rappel down the slope to reach him but could neither see nor hear their teammate.

Unable to assist, the remaining climbers descended the mountain and sought help at Camp 1. But dangerous winds and heavy snow grounded both air and ground rescue teams for nearly two full days.

Helicopter Recovery After Weather Clears

It wasn’t until Wednesday morning that conditions improved enough for rescuers to act. Two mountaineering rangers took off from Talkeetna in a helicopter and located Chiu’s body on the glacier below.

He had fallen more than half a mile.

After the recovery, his remains were transported to the park headquarters and then handed over to the state medical examiner.

Not the First Tragedy at This Spot

Mount McKinley, which stands at 20,310 feet, is known for its extreme terrain and unpredictable weather. Squirrel Point has claimed lives before — in 2010, a French climber also fell from the same area. His body was never found.

As of now, around 500 climbers are on the mountain, which remains active until early July.

Park officials say the investigation into Chiu’s fall remains open.

For now, Denali has claimed yet another life on its icy, unforgiving slopes.