3 climbers die after falling in North Cascades in Washington state

Three rock climbers were killed over the weekend and another was seriously injured when they fell nearly 200 feet while descending a steep gully in the North Cascades mountains in Washington state, authorities said.

The four men, whose names have not been released, were rappelling down a sheer rock face near the North Early Winters Spire when they fell. It was unclear what caused the accident, although authorities believe it may have been the result of an equipment failure, said Undersheriff David Yarnell of the Okanogan County Sheriff Office.

The climbers who were killed, ages 36, 47 and 63, were declared dead at the scene, the sheriff’s office said in a statement. The fourth climber, whose age was unavailable, was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Yarnell said. His condition was not immediately available Monday.

It was not clear how the men knew one another. The Okanogan County Coroner’s Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday.

About 11:30 a.m. Sunday, emergency workers with the sheriff’s office and volunteers with the Okanogan County Search and Rescue Association responded to a report of a climbing accident near North Early Winters Spire off State Route 20, approximately 16 miles west of Mazama, the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

It was unclear when the men had started their climb and when they fell. The weather began to turn during their ascent, and the group decided to head back, Yarnell said. As the climbers descended, the “anchor point” — a secure spot where climbers can attach their gear — to which they were tied “broke loose,” he said.

The men fell nearly 200 vertical feet and then skidded at least another 200 feet across a rocky, snow-covered chute before coming to a stop, Yarnell said.

The climber who survived the fall hiked back to a car and drove about 60 miles west toward Newhalem, where he used a pay phone to call for help.

“There was a long time delay before he got to Newhalem,” Yarnell said.

A helicopter helped recover the remains of the three climbers, Yarnell said.

The gear found at the scene included ropes, carabiners and harnesses.

The North and South Early Winters Spires are rock formations in the Liberty Bell Group in the North Cascades. The area is home to various hiking trails and rock climbing sites.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

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