NEW<\/span>You can now listen to Fox News articles!\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Three Latvian climbers died and a fourth survived after a fall on Wednesday near Denali Pass on Alaska’s Mount McKinley.<\/p>\n Four members of a seven-person climbing expedition fell near Denali Pass, about 2,100 feet below the mountain’s 20,310-foot summit<\/a>, according to Reuters.<\/p>\n The Latvian Mountaineering Association identified the deceased climbers as Inese Puceka, Vija Olte and Renars Kunigs-Salaks, the outlet reported.<\/p>\n ONE MAN TURNED A GLOBAL SKYSCRAPER INTO HIS MOST DANGEROUS DESTINATION OF ALL: ‘PRETTY SURREAL’<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The association said a fourth climber, M\u0101rti\u0146\u0161 Bilz\u0113ns, survived the fall and was in critical condition.<\/p>\n Rescue crews from the National Park Service<\/a> evacuated the surviving climber on Thursday from a basin at approximately 17,200 feet.<\/p>\n Three Latvian climbers were killed, while a fourth survived, after falling near Denali Pass on Alaska\u2019s Mount McKinley several days ago.\u00a0<\/span> (Arterra\/Universal Images Group)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Challenging terrain and weather conditions<\/a> prevented a helicopter from landing.<\/p>\n That required rescuers to use a long-line extraction system before transporting the climber to Kahiltna Base Camp and later to a hospital, according to the National Park Service.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The three remaining members of the expedition who were not involved in the fall returned to High Camp after assisting their climbing partners, park officials said.<\/p>\n Following the rescue efforts at high altitude, all three experienced declining physical conditions<\/a> and were evacuated from the mountain Friday.<\/p>\n The surviving climber (not pictured) was airlifted to safety after rescuers used a long-line extraction system due to terrain and weather conditions that prevented a helicopter from landing.<\/span> (iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Recovery efforts for the three climbers who died remain ongoing as weather, terrain and mountain conditions<\/a> continue to affect access to the site, park officials said.<\/p>\n The accident occurred near Denali Pass, one of the most hazardous sections of the mountain.\u00a0<\/p>\n CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The stretch between High Camp and Denali Pass has been the site of numerous injuries and fatalities over the years, with many incidents involving unprotected falls, according to reports.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mount McKinley, also known as Denali, rises about 20,310 feet above sea level and is considered one of the most demanding climbs in North America<\/a>.<\/p>\n At roughly 20,310 feet above sea level, Mount McKinley is among the toughest climbing destinations in North America.<\/span> (iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The mountain’s steep slopes, glaciers<\/a>, rapidly changing weather and extreme altitude create significant challenges even for experienced climbers.<\/p>\n TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Only about 1,000 to 1,200 climbers attempt to reach the summit each year<\/a>, most during the May and June climbing season.\u00a0<\/p>\n Less than half of those who attempted the climb last year successfully reached the top, according to park statistics.<\/p>\n More than 130 people have died on the mountain throughout the park’s history.<\/p>\n![\"Tundra](\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1200\/675\/mount-mckinley.jpg?ve=1&tl=1\")
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