Mount Rainier official: 6 missing climbers likely dead after fall

Photo of the fall area taken today courtesy National Park Service



MOUNT RAINIER -- A park official confirms to Q13Fox News that six climbers reported missing on the mountain Saturday have all likely perished.

Fawn Bauer, park spokeswoman, said that there was evidence of a fall which was not survivable.

A helicopter from Joint Base Lewis-McChord assisting in the search located the climber's gear and camping equipment at the 9,500 foot level on the Carbon Glacier.

Bauer said the area where the fall likely occurred is very dangerous and covered in ice and rocks.

The group of four climbers and two guides headed for the summit Monday using Liberty Ridge, one of the more technical and advanced routes on the mountain.

They were supposed to return Friday, according to Mount Rainier National Park officials.

Matt Hegeman is one of the guides who is missing on Mount Rainier. (Photo: Alpine Ascents International)



The group was last heard from around 6:00 p.m. Wednesday using a satellite phone. The climbers were at an elevation of 12,800 feet.

The expedition group Alpine Ascents reported the group missing Friday afternoon.

Officials said the guides were very experienced. Both were from the Seattle area. The climbers were from across the country.

Stay with Q13 FOX News for updates on this developing story.