A Japanese group, Miyagi Workers Alpine Federation Expedition, was apparently swept down Motorcycle Hill by an avalanche leaving one survivor who scrambled out of the crevasse he was deposited into and made his way down to Kahiltna Base alone to report the accident.
“One team member survived the event. Hitoshi Ogi, age 69 of Miyagi Prefecture, was swept into a crevasse and subsequently climbed out with minor injuries,” she said in a release. “Ogi was unable to locate his teammates in the avalanche debris. Throughout the day, Ogi descended solo to the Kahiltna Basecamp at 7,200 feet, where he reported the accident shortly after 4 p.m.” — National Parks Traveler
High winds and snowfall have prevented many from hitting the summit in recent weeks, and probably contributed to this incident. McKinley is a very large and dangerous mountain, and careful consideration of the risks involved and the skills necessary to increase your survival is paramount. My heartfelt condolences are extended to the survivors, and I hope the rescue workers are safe in their endeavor to recover the bodies.