An Irish climber is recovering in hospital after a record making rescue at 19,500 feet from Mount McKinley in Alaska – matching the highest ever by a helicopter.
Corkman Jeremiah O’Sullivan was pulled off the mountain on Thursday amid dramatic scenes following the death of a fellow climber.
The 40-year-old from Ballinhassig in Cork has been hospitalized with a broken leg and severe frostbite.
America’s National Park Service revealed details of the rescue by helicopter pilot Andy Hermansky who lowered a basket to the stricken O’Sullivan some 19,500 feet up the mountain,
The Anchorage Daily News reported that the rescue tied the highest-ever by a helicopter in North America.
Fellow climber and Swiss citizen Beat Niederer had died from unknown causes near 18,000 feet and his body was recovered late Thursday by helicopter.
On Friday afternoon, Alaskan guide Dave Staeheli and climber Lawrence Culter from New York were also evacuated by helicopter from a high camp at 17,200 feet.
Sullivan was reported to be in ‘good condition’ at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage according to hospital spokeswoman Ginger Houghton.
She added that the Irishman had suffered frostbite to his hands, legs and face as well as a broken leg, Staeheli and Cutler suffered frostbite to their hands and feet.
Staeheli is renowned as the first climber to complete a solo winter ascent of McKinley up the West Rib route in March 1989.
Mount McKinley, at 20,320 feet is the highest peak in North America and the United States.
Niederer’s death was the first this year on the mountain but two climbers died last year.
Sullivan’s four man team fell while descending from the summit ridge either late Wednesday or early Thursday according to National Park Service spokeswoman Maureen McLaughlin.
Conditions on the mountain at the time of their descent were described as brutal with winds gusting up to 70 mph.
Mountaineering ranger and medic Dave Weber said the climbing party was high up on the mountain and on an exposed ridge with no shelter when the fall occurred.
“It was brutal conditions out there. It was an extremely hostile environment,” said Weber.
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8 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Corcaigh | Nov 23, 2011, 03:32 PM EST
Thanks for the history lesson Wingeire1, about 20 years eh? As for Pittsburghkid, I'm crying crocodile tears for you and your lack of a vacation. I'm pretty sure none of YOUR money ever went to rescuing anyone. You want a story of a climber freezing to death? Why not contact the wife of the Swiss climber? I'm sure shes got some story to tell. Cold is not the word for you, I can think of many more appropriate.
Pittsburghkid | May 16, 2011, 07:36 PM EDT
More important, but omitted from you column. Who paid for the Rescue? I would love to read a story, where some fool froze to death, because he failed to pay for his rescue in advance. I know I must sound cold, but I can't afford to go on vacations. So why should my money go to rescue some fool?
ochshane | May 16, 2011, 09:09 AM EDT
Gobshite.
Wingeire1 | May 15, 2011, 10:56 PM EDT
The mountain is called Denali..and has been for about 20 years.
jimmybb | May 15, 2011, 01:36 PM EDT
so george dillon u can be expectin a massive bill from nepal for all the stupid american climbers up on everest and the billions of dollars for all the carnage and bloodshed america the imperialist has caused around the world ;;people in glasshouses shouldnt throw stones;;
Chiefjustice | May 15, 2011, 01:04 PM EDT
Amen again, Those fools put lives in danger. Ought to just prop them up as warning signs.
AengusOg | May 15, 2011, 10:08 AM EDT
Amen.
GeorgeDillon | May 15, 2011, 08:21 AM EDT
I hope he provided his address so that we can send him the bill.