The relatives of a mountaineer who survived a recent accident on Alaska’s Denali have launched a GoFundMe fundraiser to help with family logistics and medical expenses.
On May 27, 2026, four Latvian climbers were involved in a fall near Denali Pass on Denali, North America’s highest peak. Three of the four climbers died in the accident.
The sole survivor is Martins Bilzens, whose relatives are now looking for support as the Latvian mountaineer recovers from his injuries.
Bilzens and the three other climbers were part of a seven-member Latvian mountaineering expedition ascending the mountain’s popular West Buttress route when they fell near Denali Pass at approximately 18,200 feet (5,550 meters), according to Denali National Park and Preserve. The survivor waited over 10 hours before being rescued as search teams held out for safe conditions. Bilzens is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Anchorage, Alaska.
The West Buttress route is the standard path up Denali, the preferred route for the majority of the mountain’s climbers. Despite being considered the mountain’s easiest route, it remains a serious alpine undertaking, riddled with crevasses, steep snow slopes, extreme weather, and high altitude.
Organizer Katrina Church-Chmielowski launched Bilzens’ GoFundMe on June 12, 16 days after the accident. Church-Chmielowski explained on the page that Bilzens’ condition is critical but stable, and that he faces a long recovery.
The GoFundMe aims to raise $24,000 for Bilzens’ relatives. Funds will cover the costs of family logistics, including Bilzens’ family flying from Latvia to Alaska, their lodging and daily living costs. The donations will also help cover medical expenses, as Bilzens is “expected to spend several months in hospital care and rehabilitation,” according to the GoFundMe page. Funds are also needed for “specialized medical transportation back home to Latvia, as well as ongoing treatment, long-term rehabilitation, medicine, and medical supplies once he returns.”
So far, a total of $200 dollars has been raised across three donations. The Bilzens family appreciates any donation amount.
