2 ice climbers found dead on rock ledge in Yellowstone National Park

2 ice climbers die in Yellowstone National Park

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. — Yellowstone National Park officials say rescue crews have recovered the bodies of two Montana men who died while trying to climb a frozen waterfall below the rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.

Park spokesman Al Nash says the men have been identified as 28-year-old Mark Ehrich and 29-year-old Michael Kellch, both of Bozeman.

Friends told park officials the two hadn’t returned from a weekend day hike.

Rescuers found the climbers’ bodies Monday on a rock ledge about 300 feet below the canyon rim. Park officials say it appears an ice column collapsed during the men’s ascent.

Nash says the bodies were recovered Tuesday afternoon.