Climber Dies on North America's Highest Peak

The National Park Service in Alaska says a climber has died on Denali, North America's highest mountain, the AP reports. The name, gender, and nationality of the climber were not immediately released pending notification of the climber's family. Denali's summit is at 20,310 feet. The park service received a request for help at about 1am Friday from a party at the 17,500-foot level. An unguided party of three was descending from Denali Pass when one person collapsed due to an unknown illness. Two park service mountaineering volunteers staying at a camp at 17,200 feet reached the party and found the stricken climber unresponsive. Despite emergency interventions, the climber did not regain consciousness and was pronounced dead.

High wind and snow are keeping a helicopter from recovering the body. National Park Service spokesperson Maureen Gualtieri says conditions could change quickly, but a flight is not likely Friday. (More Denali stories.)