Rangers embarked on a challenging 11-mile (17.7-kilometer) hike through the night to verify the tragic deaths of two individuals who were camping at a national park on an island in Michigan’s Lake Superior, officials reported on Tuesday.
The cause of their deaths remains undetermined at this time, and an investigation is presently underway, according to a statement from Isle Royale National Park.
The sequence of events began on Sunday night when park personnel received information regarding the fatalities at a secluded camping area. In response, two rangers undertook the arduous journey and successfully reached the location by Monday.
Efforts to obtain additional details from park officials on Tuesday were unsuccessful as attempts to communicate went unanswered.
Isle Royale, known for its rugged natural beauty and isolation, is a unique wilderness destination. Access to the park is limited to ferry, personal boat, or seaplane, and it remains open to the public only six months a year due to harsh weather conditions.
The island is also home to a notable population of moose and wolves, whose ecological dynamics are frequently the focus of wildlife research.