Columbia Falls teen dies in fall from Glacier peak

A Columbia Falls teen died Tuesday in an apparent fall while mountain climbing in Glacier National Park.

According to information from the Park Service, 19-year-old Winslow Nichols died in the incident on Mount Brown northeast of Lake McDonald on the west side of the park.

Officials said his climbing partner notified rangers Tuesday at 3 p.m. that he had lost contact Nichols. He said the two planned to hike and climb Mount Brown together, but had became separated.

Park rangers launched a search and located a vehicle at Lake McDonald Lodge matching the description provided by the climbing partner. 

Glacier National Park ground crews searched the nearby area, and Two Bear Air performed an air search. Around 7 p.m. Tuesday, Two Bear Air found Nichols deceased on Mount Brown and recovered his body.  

The exact circumstances leading to Nichols’ death are unknown, officials said, however rangers suspect he fell while climbing.

No foul play is suspected. The death remains under investigation by Glacier National Park law enforcement rangers.

Winslow graduated from Columbia Falls High School in 2021 and was attending West Point Academy.

Mt. Brown is approximately 8,500 feet in elevation with spring conditions at the top with mixed snow and rocks.   

Climbing the peak involves some exposed cliffs on the standard southwest ridge route. The Glacier Mountaineering Society rates the climb as Class 3.