Official: 6 climbers likely died in mountain fall

MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK, WA -- An official at Mount Rainier National Park says there are no plans Sunday to recover the bodies of six climbers who likely fell thousands of feet to their deaths.

Spokeswoman Patti Wold said continuous ice fall and rock fall make the area too dangerous for rescuers. She says the area will be checked periodically by air in coming weeks and months.

She says that "there's no certainty that recovery is possible given the location."

Park officials believe the group fell 3,300 feet from their last known whereabouts of 12,800 feet on Liberty Ridge. Air and ground searches were suspended late Saturday afternoon.

A helicopter crew on Saturday spotted camping and climbing gear in the avalanche-prone area.

The missing group includes four clients of Seattle-based Alpine Ascents International and two guides.