Crews Trying to Reach Injured McKinley Climbers

Rescue crews were trying Friday to reach four climbers injured in two separate falls in a treacherous snow chute high on Mt. McKinley.

A group of British climbers fell 300 feet Thursday evening, and two Americans fell nearly 3,000 feet early Friday, National Park Service spokeswoman Jane Tranel said.

Both falls occurred just below the 19,000-foot level, in a snow chute known as the Orient Express. Fifteen climbers have died in falls on that route since 1972, Tranel said.

All of the climbers were descending the mountain when the falls occurred. It’s not known what caused the accidents.

A member of the nine-person British group told Park Service officials that Martin Spooner, 35, fractured an ankle and Steve Brown, 26, was unconscious with a head injury.

Both Americans suffered serious injuries, park officials said. Jeff Munroe, 25, of Anchorage was unconscious and in critical condition with a head injury. Billy Finley, 24, also of Anchorage, had chest injuries and fractured ribs, as well as ankle and knee injuries.

Temperatures were 20 to 30 degrees below zero, with winds up to 30 mph, Tranel said, bringing the wind chill to about 80 below. Because the accidents occurred so high on the mountain, it was difficult to get rescue crews to the injured climbers.