Accomplished Climber Killed in Dragontail Peak Fall

The family of an extremely accomplished mountain climber is in mourning after his body was recovered from Dragontail Peak Thursday.

Chelan County Emergency Management Specialist Rich Magnussen said the wife of 66-year-old Richard Thurmer of Mukilteo first called 9-1-1 Monday after her husband failed to check in with her while solo climbing in the Enchantments. He was not expected home until the next day but normally checked in with his wife about every 24 hours.

The next evening, Mrs. Thurmer called 9-1-1 again when her husband didn't return home as planned.

A Chelan County Sheriff's Office helicopter and a two person ground team from Chelan County Mountain Rescue were then sent to search the area Wednesday.

"When the helicopter got in there they were able to observe the victim laying in the snow directly below the 'Triple Couloir' which is on the north aspect of Dragontail Peak," explained Magnussen.

It's believed Thurmer was killed by a several-hundred foot fall. High winds prevented the helicopter from returning to the scene and recovering Thurmer's body Wednesday. His remains were successfully hoisted from the area Thursday morning.

Thurmer was one of less than 500 people in the world to have summited the tallest peak on every continent, including Mount Everest.