Truckee Man Among Dead on Rainier

Mount Rainier National Park official says there are no plans to recover the bodies of six climbers who fell 3,300 feet to their deaths. A helicopter crew spotted camping and climbing gear in an avalanche-prone area below the group’s last known position of 12,800 feet.

Among those presumed dead is Truckee, California resident Matt Hegeman, who worked as a guide for Seattle’s Alpine Ascents International. He had climbed Mount Rainier more than 50 times and was a regular on Northern California’s Mt. Shasta.

Officials add that the continuous ice fall and rock fall make the area too dangerous for rescuers, but that the area will be checked periodically by air in coming weeks and months. They will also evaluate the potential for a helicopter-based recovery as snow melts and conditions change.