• Alex Chiu, 41, fell approximately 3,000 feet while climbing Mount McKinley in Alaska.
• Chiu was part of a ski mountaineering expedition on a popular climbing route known as the West Buttress.
• Rescue efforts were delayed due to harsh weather conditions until Wednesday morning.
• The climbing season on Denali sees about 500 climbers active from early May to July.
• Chiu was known for his passion for climbing and had extensive experience in the sport.

Alex Chiu, a 41-year-old skier and climber, tragically died after falling approximately 3,000 feet while ascending the West Buttress route of Mount McKinley, also known as Denali, on Monday. His two climbing partners witnessed the fall at a location known as Squirrel Point, but despite their attempts to lower themselves over the edge to reach him, they could neither see nor hear him afterward, according to CBS News and ABC News.

After the fall, Chiu’s team descended the mountain to seek assistance, but high winds and snow delayed search efforts until the weather improved on Wednesday, allowing rescuers to access the site from Talkeetna. Chiu’s body was subsequently recovered and transferred to the state medical examiner, according to ABC News and India Times.

Chiu was described as an experienced alpinist and an important figure in Seattle's climbing community, reflecting his deep passion for mountaineering on his social media. Tragically, he expressed his dream of climbing Denali shortly before his trip, stating, "I don’t want to know what happens to a dream deferred," emphasizing his dedication to the sport despite concerns during the pandemic, as noted by India Times and CBS News.