above sea level, the mountain sweeps to 20,320 ft. above central Alaska in a single cascade of rock and ice. In summer, McKinley is merely inhospitable; in winter, it is deadly. For one thing ...

"Three guides on scene ... down a mountain, Alaska State Troopers said at the time. Prior to this week's accident, 15 people had been killed across the U.S. by avalanches this winter.