Search for climbers yields no new clues

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Clear skies and calm conditions aided rescuers Monday, but the fifth day of aerial searching turned up no new clues in the hunt for two overdue climbers in Denali National Park and Preserve.

A high-altitude helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft made several flights near the 17,400-foot Mount Foraker looking for Sue Nott, 36, of Vail, Colo., and Karen McNeill, 37, of Canmore, Alberta, Canada.

Park spokeswoman Kris Fister said Monday’s flights provided a thorough investigation of the summit, the climbing team’s planned exit route on the Sultana Ridge and glaciers north and south of the peak with no luck.

The helicopter crew was able to confirm the presence of tracks at the 15,500-foot to 15,800-foot level, but Fister said the tracks “didn’t go toward the summit, they just ended.”

She said they have no evidence the women reached the summit.

Crews earlier confirmed the climber’s tracks at the 14,800-foot level.

The helicopter will not be available today, but park officials said three other helicopters, including two Chinooks from Fort Wainwright, are expected to continue the search of high probability areas.

A weak weather front was forecast to enter the area today, bringing with it clouds, increased winds and a chance of snow at higher elevations.

McNeill and Nott left base camp May 12, and began their climb of the ascent route, the Infinite Spur, on May 14. The climbers had told people at base camp that they expected to complete the route in 10 days, even though they gave their official due-out date as June 8.

The search for the experienced climbers was launched Thursday night on Mount Foraker, located about 12 miles southwest of Mount McKinley, North America’s highest peak. However, clouds hampered the search until conditions cleared Sunday.

The helicopter crew on Sunday spotted a yellow bag, black fleece hat and pink nylon jacket in the area where a ripped backpack, radio and sleeping bag were found Friday. Park officials said the items seen Sunday were likely initially hidden under snow after falling from the torn pack, which is believed to have belonged to Nott.