2 climbers lost in 2008 are found on Denali

The bodies of 27-year-old Tatsuro Yamada and Yuto Inoue, 24, were spotted earlier this week on the upper west face of the mountain, where they died after a fall in an attempt of Cassin Ridge in May 2008, Denali National Park and Preserve spokeswoman Maureen McLaughlin said. They were about 800 feet off their planned route on ridge, she said.

"Although we don't know why they ended up in that particular spot, it seems less likely that it was a diversion during the ascent to the top of the ridge," McLaughlin said. "More likely the fall occurred while they were descending from the ridge above."

Their bodies, discovered Sunday using photos of the mountain taken in the search for Dr. Gerald Myers, were seen as partially buried figures connected by a rope in a steep rocky area west of the Cassin Ridge at 19,800 feet. The next day, a helicopter pulled in close and confirmed there were two frozen figures.

Based on their location, clothing, and rope color, park rangers identified them as Yamada and Inoue, both of Tokyo. Their families have been notified.

The bodies, however, will remain in place because of the "extreme risk posed to a recovery team," according to park officials.

The pair was expected to return from a climb of the Cassin Ridge on May 22, 2008, but they weren't seen again.

Park officials searched the mountain for a week, generating a total of 33 flight hours in helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft. Searchers at the time took thousands of images that turned up numerous clues, including tracks and a possible campsite, but the men weren't found.

In their search for Myers, a "more advanced camera and higher powered lens" were used and turned up their locations, park officials said.

Searchers have still found no sign of Myers, who disappeared last month on a solo attempt at summiting North America's highest peak. Searchers have called off the active search for him, saying he is missing and presumed dead.

They are continuing to examine the photos for evidence that could lead to his location.

Since tracking began in 1932, 104 people have died on Mount McKinley. Counting Myers, 39 bodies remain out of reach on the mountain, McLaughlin said.

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