OKANOGAN, Co., Wash. – Four climbers fell in the North Early Winters Spire area on Sunday morning, resulting in the death of three of the climbers.
The Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office said deputies and search and rescue volunteers responded to the area off of State Route 20 at about 11:30 a.m. on May 11 where four climbers had fallen while going up a steep gully. One of the climbers was able to get out of the area and call 911, however, the three other climbers were found dead at the site.
The three climbers who died were retrieved by Snohomish County Helicopter Rescue teams. OCSO said the area was technical and mountainous.
OCSO said the presumed cause of the falls is from an anchor failure, but the investigation continues. The sheriff’s office thanks volunteers and the Snohomish County for their help in the incident and offered condolences to the community for their losses.
