Climber dies after rockfall at Mount Rainier National Park; 5 others rescued



SEATTLE -- The Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office has identified a climber who died in a rockfall on Mount Rainier Wednesday as 45-year-old Arleigh William Dean of Alaska.

Mount Rainier National Park officials say a climber called 911 Wednesday evening reporting that six climbers were caught in a rock fall at their campsite on the Liberty Ridge route.

Park rangers responded by helicopter, taking Dean's body to the medical examiner's office.

The most seriously injured climber was taken to Seattle's Harborview Medical Center, where a spokeswoman said Friday he remained in serious condition.

Officials say another climber with lesser injuries was treated at another hospital and released. The others were uninjured and were flown out later Thursday.

"What happened on Wedneday night is a reminder that there is nowhere on the mountain that is completely safe," said Kevin Bacher with Mount Rainier National Park.

Bacher says that all of the climbers involved in the incident were experienced, and had not taken any unnecessary risks.