Recovering bodies of Alaska climbers could be months away

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The bodies of two experienced mountain climbers who are presumed dead likely won’t be recovered for months, a spokeswoman for the Alaska State Troopers said.

Megan Peters said summer is the soonest that authorities could launch a recovery effort in southeast Alaska, though even that depends on snow and ice conditions and the risk to crew members.

“We like to be able to provide closure to families also,” Peters said. “There are times where unfortunately we’re just not able to do so.”

The agency said earlier this week that George “Ryan” Johnson of Juneau and Marc-Andre Lecl...