Three climbers killed in fall down steep gully; one survives, Washington cops say
.png "The Early Winters Spires are pictured in Washington. Three climbers fell in the area of the north peak.")
Three climbers died during a fall down a steep gully in the North Cascades in Washington, deputies said.
The surviving climber called for help at about 11:30 a.m. May 11 from the North Early Winters Spire area off State Route 20, the Okanogan County Sheriff Office said in a Facebook post.
Early Winters Spires is made up of two rock formations, and they are about 15 miles southwest from Mazama, deputies said.
Deputies said the group of four from Renton were rappelling down a gully when their anchor failed, causing them to fall.
One climber was able to call authorities, and the rest of the climbers, age 36, 47, 63, were found dead where they had fallen, deputies said.
A helicopter recovered their bodies. The investigation is ongoing.
Mazama is in northern Washington.
This story was originally published May 12, 2025 at 6:13 PM with the headline "Three climbers killed in fall down steep gully; one survives, Washington cops say."
