An aerial search for a solo climber was initiated on Denali’s West Buttress on Wednesday, May 4 by mountaineering rangers with Denali National Park and Preserve. 35-year-old Matthias Rimml, a professional mountain guide from Austria, began his ascent from the 7,200-foot Kahiltna Basecamp on Wednesday, April 27.
His strategy was to climb alpine style with the goal to complete the climb in five days. Although he was carrying 10 days of food and fuel. His last known satellite phone call to a friend was made on Saturday, April 30, at 2:00 p.m. At the time, Rimml indicated that he was just below Denali Pass, which is located at 18,200 feet elevation on the West Buttress. Rimml reported being tired but was not in distress. It is unknown whether he intended to climb higher or return to his camp at 14,000 feet.
The soloist, as the first registered climber to attempt the 20,000-plus-foot peak this season, is alone on the upper mountain as all other teams, including the first NPS ranger patrol, are still camped below 14,000 feet this early in the climbing season.
The press release states that Rimml is not considered overdue relative to his planned return date and food and fuel supply, however, since his friend had been receiving periodic check-in calls, he grew concerned after several days of silence and notified Denali mountaineering rangers on Tuesday. The following day, the NPS helicopter pilot and a mountaineering ranger, flew the route to look for signs of Rimml. Intermittent cloud cover prevented a thorough search of the route. Despite that, crews didn’t see any signs of Rimml. Searchers did observe his tent site at 14,000 feet; however, no signs of recent activity were visible around the tent. The helicopter was unable to land due to deteriorating weather and wind.
The helicopter pilot and two mountaineering rangers continued the aerial search on Thursday. Favorable weather allowed the helicopter to land at the tent site, and rangers confirmed Rimml had not returned to camp. Clouds on the upper mountain prevented the aerial search team from flying above 17,200 feet.
Aerial search operations of the upper mountain will continue as weather conditions allow.
