Climbing trio rescued after weather prevents descent from Mount Logan

HAINES JUNCTION, Yukon – Three experienced climbers are recovering after being stranded atop Canada’s highest mountain for about a week.

The men from Alberta, British Columbia and Alaska were descending Mount Logan in Yukon when severe weather forced them to take shelter.

Craig McKinnon of the Kluane National Park Reserve says the trio hunkered inside a snow cave at 5,100 metres for three days before setting up tents outside for another five days.

McKinnon says a rescue helicopter made two flights to the climbers on June 11, evacuating one man suffering frostbite before returning to get the others.

A team of about 20 rescue personnel from three national parks helped in the mission.

McKinnon says all three climbers, who are between the ages of 40 and 60, are back in high spirits, although doctors aren’t yet certain whether the frostbitten man will lose a finger.