2014 5月登Mount Rainier, 6人意外

Six climbers likely to have fallen to deaths on Washington's Mount Rainier

• Park ranger: 'There's not a viable chance of survival'
• Helicopter spots camping gear in avalanche-prone area

Six climbers missing on Mount Rainier likely fell thousands of feet to their deaths in what would be among the worst alpine accidents ever on the iconic Washington state mountain.

On Saturday, a helicopter crew spotted camping and climbing gear in the avalanche-prone area. It is believed the group fell 3,300ft from their last known whereabouts of 12,800ft on Liberty Ridge, Mount Rainier National Park spokeswoman Patricia Wold said in a statement.

"There's not a viable chance of survival," park ranger Fawn Bauer told the Associated Press.

Air and ground searches were suspended late on Saturday afternoon. The danger of falling rock and ice in the area where searchers picked up the pings prevents a ground recovery effort.
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