SummitPost.org

Just read this in my local newspaper.
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/121765034.html

More info...
http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/injured-climber-rescued-near-summit-mount-mckinley
http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/daring-rescue-organized-mt-mckinley

Wow, sounds crazy. Hoping for the best!

Here's a bit more insight on the situation:

http://mountaintripdenali2011.wordpress ... situation/

Waiting to get word back if this team involved my Boss and good friend Kurt Wedberg and his clients which are on the MAC and should have been in that same pos yesterday.

Please, prayers for their safety.

My condolences to the family and friends of the individuals involved.

The Mountain Trip link does not mention that there was a death but the other links state there was. Could these be 2 different expeditions?

The Chief wrote:Waiting to get word back if this team involved my Boss and good friend Kurt Wedberg and his clients which are on the MAC and should have been in that same pos yesterday.

Please, prayers for their safety.

My condolences to the family and friends of the individuals involved.

I am with you Rick! Iam praying for Kurt and his party's safety.

Cheif, dod Kurt or anyone in the party have a SAT phone?

Marmaduke wrote:The Mountain Trip link does not mention that there was a death but the other links state there was. Could these be 2 different expeditions?

It does mention two clients being sent down the mountain after the initial accident and 1 arriving at 17k, which is consistent with the other reports. Keep in mind that in any situation like this there tends to be a lot of confusion, doubly so for anyone getting their information off the internet as informing the public is generally low on the to-do list for the agency in charge of the rescue. The people writing from 17k may not be aware of the deceased climber's condition, or may have been asked to keep it quiet until next of kin notification, or any number of other possibilities.

1-2 nights (I'm not really clear from the writeup) in bivy at 19k in early May with a broken leg - I'm glad that client at least managed to make it through.

Deltaoperator17 wrote:Cheif, dod Kurt or anyone in the party have a SAT phone?

He always carries one on Big Hill gigs. I am assuming he had his on this deal.

No word yet.

If I am reading this correctly it seems that a guide team other than Kurt's was involved in the accident.

http://mountaintripdenali2011.wordpress.com/2011/05/12/summit-attempt-and-scary-situation/

Prayers and thoughts to those involved

Dave S is a very experienced Denali guide. Having a team member break a leg in that location, in worsening weather, is a nightmarish situation and it would be almost impossible to make a perfect decision.

If that report is true and the team left High Camp 'in the morning', climbed in fine weather, and still had not reached the summit by 8pm, then they were going quite slowly, so there may be other factors here that we don't know.

Best wishes to all involved.

Agreed, Dave S is a strong climber including a solo winter of Denali. I have climbed with MT a couple of times and find them to be a very organized and safe service. What an aweful situation for all involved. Thoughts and prayers to them. Scott

The Chief wrote:

Deltaoperator17 wrote:Cheif, dod Kurt or anyone in the party have a SAT phone?

He always carries one on Big Hill gigs. I am assuming he had his on this deal.

No word yet.

My best wishes are with you Chief and obiously with Kurt and all else involed.

From a posting by SMI Guides on Facebook:

Hi all -- our blog will be updated tomorrow, so check up on us then. Just wanted to write a quick note to assure that Kurt and group are all doing well and were not part of the rescue that happened on McKinley on May 12. Our thoughts go out to all those involved in that expedition and rescue.

Good news about Kurt. My heart goes out as well to everyone involved.

Peak Freak wrote:From a posting by SMI Guides on Facebook:

Hi all -- our blog will be updated tomorrow, so check up on us then. Just wanted to write a quick note to assure that Kurt and group are all doing well and were not part of the rescue that happened on McKinley on May 12. Our thoughts go out to all those involved in that expedition and rescue.

Good news about Kurt. My heart goes out as well to everyone involved.

That is affirmative and good news for all us SMI folks.

Still, sad news for those involved.