Second Mount McKinley climber dies in a week

updated 6:21 p.m. ET July 8, 2008

JUNEAU, Alaska - Officials at Denali National Park said a second person within a week has collapsed and died shortly after successful summits of Mount McKinley.

Park officials say 20-year-old Pungkas Tri Baruno, of Jakarta, Indonesia, died Monday night while descending North America's tallest mountain.

Officials say Baruno collapsed about one-quarter mile from a camp at the 17,200-foot level. Climbing guides unsuccessfully tried to revive Baruno.

The climber began his ascent of the 20,320-foot mountain June 22 with a group that included two climbing partners and two guides. Park spokeswoman Maureen McLaughlin says Baruno and one partner, plus the guides, reached the summit on Monday.

The cause of death remained unknown. Plans to recover the body remained on hold until weather permitted a high-altitude helicopter could access the area.

On Friday, 51-year-old James Nasti of Naperville, Ill., died at the summit. Park officials said Nasti is the first climber known to have died at the summit.

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