Climber Might be Charged for Mt. McKinley Removal

The National Park Service says it might seek reimbursement from a solo climber evacuated from Mount McKinley.

The Park Service called on military helicopters to take 25-year-old Andrew Randolph off the mountain after camp doctors determined his behavior was erratic.

The removal operation cost tens of thousands of dollars. The park service is investigating whether criminal charges or the climber’s insurance can help cover the cost.

John Leonard, a Denali National Park and Preserve ranger, says Mount McKinley sees only about a dozen solo climbers a year. Those climbers encounter higher rates of trouble than those who are part of a group.