Alex Chiu Death: Skier Falls 3,000 Feet on Denali
- Alex Chiu, 41, of New York City, died Monday after falling 3,000 feet on Mount McKinley, also known as Denali, in Alaska.
- chiu was reportedly "un-roped" and accompanied by two other climbers when he fell toward Peters Glacier.
- Recovery of Chiu's body was completed Wednesday morning after weather conditions improved, allowing park rangers to use a helicopter.
Experienced ski mountaineer Alex Chiu,41,from New York City,tragically died after a 3,000-foot fall on Denali,the tallest mountain in North America. climbing the west Buttress route unroped, Chiu’s accident prompted delayed rescue efforts due to adverse weather conditions. His companions sought assistance, but recovery of his body was hampered until conditions improved. News Directory 3 reports that Chiu, a seasoned mountaineer, had recently returned to New York after a period in Seattle, reigniting his passion for adventure. Officials are investigating the incident as the climbing season continues. Learn what the National Park Service is doing to ensure climber safety in the face of such a tragedy.
New York man Dies After 3,000-Foot Fall on Mount McKinley
Updated june 6, 2025
Alex Chiu, 41, of New York City, died Monday after falling 3,000 feet on Mount McKinley, also known as Denali, in Alaska. The experienced ski mountaineer was climbing the West Buttress route within Denali National Park when the accident occurred, according to the National Park Service.
chiu was reportedly “un-roped” and accompanied by two other climbers when he fell toward Peters Glacier. His companions descended to seek assistance, but high winds and snow delayed rescue efforts.
Recovery of Chiu’s body was completed Wednesday morning after weather conditions improved, allowing park rangers to use a helicopter. His remains were transferred to the state medical examiner.
While officials initially listed Chiu as a Seattle resident, social media posts indicated he had recently moved back to Brooklyn, New York. In a May 2025 Instagram post, Chiu wrote about returning to Alaska to rediscover his adventurous spirit after moving back to New York and working a desk job.
“By 2023 I had all but stopped climbing tall peaks and living to tell about it. I moved back home to Brooklyn, NY to be closer to my family and to a new beginning. I had gone tired of pushing my body to the limit, knowing that the consequences could be high with my diminished skillset,” Chiu wrote in his Instagram post.
James Lee, a friend of Chiu’s, told The New York Times that chiu was an active member of the Seattle climbing community before moving back to New York.Lee said Chiu introduced many people to mountaineering and rock climbing.
“Alex was a well known and valued member of the Seattle climbing community,” Lee said.
Chiu worked as an aerospace engineer for the Federal Aviation Governance, according to his LinkedIn profile. Officials report approximately 500 climbers are currently on Mount McKinley, with the peak climbing season spanning from early May to early July.
What’s next
The National Park Service will continue to monitor climbing activity on Denali throughout the season, providing updates as necessary. An investigation into the accident is underway.