FALL INTO CREVASSE-UNABLE TO BE RESCUED QUICKLY BECAUSE OF POSITION

Alaska, Wrangell Mountains, Mount Bona

On May 17, Will Hurst (56), who was climbing with two guides and another client, fell through a snow bridge. At the time, they were on snowshoes and at an elevation of 9,700 feet. He was roped and leading when the bridge collapsed and he dropped 20 feet, becoming wedged in a such a way that he could not breathe. He suffocated quickly. (Source: From a report by Kyle Hopkins in The Anchorage Daily News on May 19, 2006)

(Editor’s Note: At 16,550feet, Mount Bona is the fourth highest peak in the U.S. Marshall Neeck, Chief Ranger for the Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Reserve, told the reporter that there have been one or two fatalities a year in the park in recent years.)