News Release

Hiker Dies in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve

Date: June 26, 2021
Contact: Carrie Wittmer, 907-822-7255

Copper Center, AK – On Friday, June 25, 2021, 52-year-old David Shrider stopped to take a break while hiking with five friends and family members on Donoho Peak in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve near Kennecott, AK. A family member in the hiking group reported that he asked for help and then rolled approximately 150 feet down a slope. When a member of the group found him, he was dead. His son, who was a member of the party, called 911. 

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve Search and Rescue team members and an Alaska State Trooper used the National Park Service Eastern Area Fire Management Helicopter to recover the hiker at approximately 1:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

The hiker’s body was recovered and transported to the McCarthy airport for transportation to the Medical Examiner’s Office for official determination of cause of death.