The Latest: Wind, snow prevents recovery of body on Denali
By Associated Press
Jun 16, 2017 4:09 PM CDT

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The Latest on the death of a climber on Denali (all times local):

1 p.m.

High wind and snow are keeping a helicopter from recovering the body of a climber who died on Denali, North America's highest mountain.

National Park Service spokeswoman Maureen Gualtieri (gawl-tee-AYR-ee) says conditions could change quickly, but a flight is not likely Friday.

The climber was stricken early Friday morning.

The park service received a request for help at 1 a.m. from an unguided party of three at the 17,500-foot (5,334-meter) level.

The team was descending from Denali Pass when one person collapsed because of an unknown illness.

Two park service mountaineering volunteers staying at a camp at 17,200 feet (5,242 meters) responded, but the ill climber was unconscious and could not be revived.

The name, gender and nationality of the climber were not immediately released because the climber's family had not been notified.

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12:35 p.m.

The National Park Service in Alaska says a climber has died on Denali, North America's highest mountain.

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 (6,190-meters).

The park service received a request for help at about 1 a.m. Friday from a party at the 17,500-foot (5,334-meter) level.

A party of three was descending from Denali Pass when one person collapsed due to unknown illness.

Two park service mountaineering volunteers reached the party and found the stricken climber unresponsive.

Despite emergency interventions, the climber did not regain consciousness and was pronounced dead.

The park service says the climber's body will be recovered from a camp at 17,200 feet (5,242 meters) as weather conditions allow.