10 Climbers Die On Japanese Mountains
Freak storm strands and kills climbers on guided tour
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A mountain tragedy rivaling last year’s climber deaths on K2 just happened in Japan: 10 cimbers died on two mountains in Hokkaido. Nine died on 7,024-ft. Mount Tomuraushi, while another died on 6,733-ft. Mount Biei.
Police haven’t released the cause of death, but the area has been pounded by intense winds and rain for the past two weeks. All the climbers who perished were in their late 60s, and eight of the nine on Mount Tomuraushi were part of an organized tour. The climber killed on Biei was by himself. An additional 10 people survived on both mountains.
Two people remain stranded on the mountain, and so far details are scant. Check back for more details.
—Ted Alvarez