New Mexico climber dies in fall on peak near Eklutna Lake, troopers say

A New Mexico man died in a fall from a mountain near Eklutna Lake.

Alaska State Troopers say 25-year-old Daniel Dresher died Wednesday on Goat Mountain near Twin Peaks. His hometown was not immediately available.

Troopers say Dresher’s climbing partner reported that Dresher had fallen “with unknown injuries.” The second climber attempted to descend to reach Dresher and lost phone contact with troopers, according to troopers.

The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center based at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson launched the 176th Wing HH-60G helicopter crew and rescuers to help search, and they found the men.

Troopers say Dresher fell about 500 feet and was killed. The State Medical Examiner Office gave rescuers permission to remove the man’s body from the site, troopers said.

The crew recovered his body and evacuated his climbing partner from the area.

Dresher’s next of kin has been notified.

In an apparently unrelated incident, the 176th Wing HH-60G helicopter crew and pararescuemen also rescued an injured skier Wednesday at Goat Mountain. Troopers identified the skier as 34-year-old Russell Johanson of Wasilla.

Johanson was taken to a hospital in Anchorage, where he was treated for a non-life-threatening injury, according to troopers.