May 21, 1992 - Fatality at Denali

Denali, South Buttress,

Terrance "Mugs" Stump, 41, a highly regarded mountaineer and guide, was following two clients, Bob Hoffman and Nelson Max, as part of a three-person rope team at about 14,400 feet on the South Buttress when they stopped, looking for the route. As Stump moved to the front of the line, the snow broke away under him. Stump's clients were able to arrest their descent only when the rope from Stump stopped pulling. One client descended into the crevasse twice in hopes of locating Stump but was unable to find him. The pair then continued down the mountain and reported the accident on May 22nd. After hearing a description of the accident and the crevasse, rangers decided to make no recovery effort.