News Release

Update on Search and Rescue Operations on Mt. McKinley   

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Date: May 29, 2026
Contact: DENA Public Affairs

Search and rescue teams from Denali National Park and Preserve rescued a climber from the 17,200-foot basin on Mount McKinley about 4 p.m. Thursday. 

 Due to terrain and conditions at the site, a high-altitude helicopter was unable to land and instead conducted the evacuation using a long-line extraction. The climber was transported to the Kahiltna Base Camp and then transferred to a LifeMed air ambulance for transport to a hospital. NPS does not have additional information about the status of the survivor. 
 
Operations for the three remaining climbers have transitioned from a search and rescue mission to a recovery effort. The National Park Service does not release information about fatality victims until 72 hours after next-of-kin notification. 



Last updated: May 29, 2026

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