Officials with Mount Rainier National Park in the US say six climbers are presumed dead after helicopters detected pings from emergency beacons buried in the snow and a debris field that may indicate an avalanche.
Park spokeswoman Patricia Wold told KOMO-TV yesterday that there's no way the group could have survived. The Seattle Times reports that rescuers found tents, clothing and debris strewn down the mountain's sheer north side.
The newspaper reports that air and ground searches have been suspended.
The missing group includes four clients of Seattle-based Alpine Ascents International and two guides. They were due to return from the mountain Friday.
