Mountaineer killed after he fell 3,000 feet from North America's highest mountain

The body of a mountaineer was recovered Wednesday after he fell 3,000 feet to his death from Alaska's Mount McKinley, North America's highest mountain, also known as Denali.

The body of a mountaineer was recovered Wednesday after he fell 3,000 feet to his death from Alaska's Mount McKinley, North America's highest mountain, also known as Denali.

The National Park Service said in a statement that 41-year-old Alex Chiu fell from Squirrel Point on the mountain's West Buttress route, about 12,000 feet above sea level. Chiu and his expedition were en route to the Peters Glacier.

He was untethered at the time of the incident Monday and fell down an exposed and rocky cliff face about 3,000-foot — or around a half-mile. High winds and snow meant rescuers were unable to reach the body by helicopter until early Wednesday.

“After witnessing the fall, the reporting party lowered over the edge as far as possible but was unable to see or hear Chiu,” the park service said.

Chiu's body has been transferred to the local medical examiner.