Solo German climber Moren Meyer, 33, on Thursday became the first to stand atop North America's tallest peak this season.

Meyer, of Baden-Wurttemberg, was the first of eight climbers in three different groups to reach the 20,320-foot summit of Mount McKinley that day.

National Park Service officials learned of the ascents on Monday.

Climbers from the United States, New Zealand, Switzerland and the United Kingdom were in the three groups.

A stretch of clear weather has helped the 88 climbers on McKinley move up the mountain.

"Today is the first day with clouds in a while," Maureen McLaughlin of the Park Service said on Tuesday.

Also Tuesday, a seven-climber patrol headed from 11,000 to 14,000 feet, where they will establish a camp to assist climbers. Park Service rangers Joe Reichert and Chris Erickson are part of that group, which also includes two paramedics.

Four year ago, Reichert and Trapper Creek climber Johnny Soderstrom attempted the first-ever winter ascent of 12,240-foot Mount Huntington, and Soderstom perished, apparently in an avalanche.

Some 946 climbers have registered to attempt McKinley this season.

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