Japanese climber found dead after falling from Denali, North America's highest peak

NEW DELHI: A Japanese solo climber, identified as T Hagiwara, was found dead on Monday after falling from Denali, the highest mountain in North America measuring 6,190 metres, reports The Guardian.

His family contacted park rangers on May 19 when they didn't hear from him for several days. He used to communicate with his family through an inReach communication device during his ascent.

Rangers, then located Hagiwara position at 17,000 feet using data from his satellite communication device, which had not changed since May 16, "suggesting a fall from the Denali pass traverse took place on that day".

''Mountaineering rangers patrolling the upper mountain quickly located the climber's empty tent at the top of the 16,200-foot ridge. Through interviews, rangers also determined the last known sighting of the climber. Another climbing team had witnessed them traversing from the 17,200 feet plateau to Denali Pass at 18,200 feet on Wednesday, May 15," said the National Park and Preserve (NPS).

"We don't have any information to share on what may have caused the fall, or whether it occurred while the climber was ascending or descending. This traverse can be tricky," said Park's spokesperson.

The climbing season on Denali typically begins in early May and ends in early July. Currently, another 352 climbers are on the same route, according to park officials. Since 1980, at least 14 climbers have died along the more dangerous part of Denali's West Buttress route.