OKANOGAN COUNTY, Wash. — Three climbers died Sunday in a rappelling accident in Okanogan County.
The Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office responded at approximately 11:30 a.m. on May 11, along with Search and Rescue volunteers to North Early Winters Spire, about 16 miles west of Mazama.
Officials report a party of four climbers from Renton were descending a steep gully when they fell. Three died at the scene, while the fourth climber self-extricated and contacted law enforcement.
“The presumed cause of the accident is an anchor failure while rappelling,” the sheriff’s office said.
The Snohomish County Helicopter Rescue Team assisted in recovering the bodies from the mountainous terrain.
The sheriff’s office has not released the names of the victims, pending family notification.
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