成人X站

MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Three locals killed in tragic climbing accident in North Cascades

May 12, 2025, 1:23 PM

The Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail travels through North Cascades National Park. (Courtesy...

The Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail travels through North Cascades National Park. (Courtesy Pacific Northwest Trail Association)

(Courtesy Pacific Northwest Trail Association)

A rock climbing trip in Washington鈥檚 North Cascades turned deadly late Saturday morning, resulting in the deaths of three climbers with a fourth person injured, 成人X站 Newsradio confirmed.

According to the Okanagan County Sheriff鈥檚 Office, a group from Renton was descending into a steep gully when聽they fell. Investigators believe the fall was caused by a failure in the anchor system used during their rappel.

“A group of four climbers was involved in a fall while descending a route,” Christina Woodworth, search and rescue coordinator for the Okanagan County Sheriff’s Office, told 成人X站 Newsradio. “Unfortunately, three of them were confirmed deceased at the site of the accident, and the fourth member of the party was able to self-extricate and contact law enforcement.”

Three of the climbers were from Renton, while the fourth was from Bellevue.

The accident happened around 11:30 a.m. near North Early Winters Spire, a rugged granite formation about 16 miles west of Mazama, just off State Route 20 (SR 20). Professionals tend to prefer the location because of its steep and challenging terrain.

“They were descending and had an anchor failure while repelling, and so that’s what caused all of them to fall together,” Woodworth said. “They were clipped into some sort of equipment, and it was not able to hold their weight, and it failed.”

Anchor failure suspected in fatal climbing fall

After the deadly fall, one member of the group managed to escape and call for help. Rescue crews, including the Snohomish County Helicopter Rescue Team, later recovered the bodies of the three dead climbers.

Law enforcement said an investigation into the exact cause of the anchor failure is ongoing.

MyNorthwest News

I-90 motorhome...

MyNorthwest Staff

Flaming motorhome in Mt. Baker Tunnel shuts down I-90

A large motorhome fire within the Mt. Baker Tunnel has closed all eastbound lanes on I-90 in Seattle.

3 minutes ago

The Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail travels through North Cascades National Park. (Courtesy...

MyNorthwest Staff

Three locals killed in tragic climbing accident in North Cascades

An anchor failure led to a deadly fall in Washington's North Cascades, claiming three lives during a rock climbing trip.

11 minutes ago

crash fatal belfair elementary...

MyNorthwest Staff

Patrol car involved in multi-vehicle fatal crash on SR 3 near Belfair Elementary

The Washington State Patrol is investigating a fatal multi-vehicle crash on State Route 3 near Belfair Elementary School.

55 minutes ago

strike peacehealth hospital bellingham...

Frank Sumrall

900 healthcare workers for Bellingham PeaceHealth Hospital go on strike

PeaceHealth Hospital in Bellingham saw hundreds of workers walk off the job Monday morning to commence a strike.

2 hours ago

everett fentanyl...

Frank Sumrall

Honduran nationals arrested in Everett with 7 kilos of fentanyl intending to distribute

Two Everett residents appeared in court after they were arrested and charged federally for possessing multiple kilos of fentanyl powder with the intention to distribute.

3 hours ago

boeing trump qatar...

MyNorthwest Staff

President Trump criticizes Boeing, poised to accept ‘palace in the sky’ jet from Qatar

President Trump criticizes Boeing over Air Force One delays, now considering a lavish jet from Qatar as a possible solution.

5 hours ago

Three locals killed in tragic climbing accident in North Cascades